Slow Sunday Stitching with Kathy - buttons on an Adult bib for Extended Care

When I talked to my Mom last week she indicated that there were not enough bibs for everyone at the Extended Care where my Dad is living and was wondering if I could make some.  I decided to go ahead and make one from instructions from online.  I found the tutorial I used at Sew With Aloha.  I made up a pattern using a piece of white heavyweight paper and her instructions.  

I found my new pin cushion quite handy.  I created it to replace the one I had around the body of my machine which was losing pins every time I lowered it into the cabinet.  This one works much better in that regard though today I found that it works very well as a mobile pin cushion.  I simply brought it to my cutting table (kitchen island) and then put it back on my sewing machine when I returned to my sewing room.  

I followed her recommendation to use a smaller plate (small Corelle - 6.75") for the neck opening.   It seems like plenty of room as it expands to a bit more once you have sewn it up. I used a cotton polyester red and black plaid fabric for the front and added a tab (2" x 26"or so) down the front to similate a buttoned up shirt.  I stitched the tab to the center front of the bib after I had traced the pattern onto the fabric and cut it out.  I laid the front onto the good side of the backing, pinned it carefully and stitched all the way around leaving an opening on the side and then cut it out.   I used flannel as the backing which I pieced from scraps set aside from making baby blankets for the grandchildren over the years. I clipped the seam allowances to allow for the proper curvature once the bib was turned inside out.  I pinned the outside edge carefully, ironed it over the pins and then over stitched the edge quite close to the outside edge.  I used gray thread for piecing and had planned on changing the bobbin thread to a coordinating colour but only remembered after I was more than 80% around the perimeter so I left it the way it was.  I would have been better with green thread in the bobbin.  Next time!!  I added velcro to the back flaps but should have staged it before I sewed them into place because I did not realize how much the slope of the shoulders would affect the angle of the two back pieces. It does have some adjustment so I will leave as it is and see if I get any feedback.  I inherited my Mom's button collection when she moved so I was able to find a set of buttons that were a perfect colour for the front tab.  I handstitched them into place with gray thread being careful to hide the stitches as much as I could on the back which worked quite well because of the center seam.  This bib can certainly be used on both sides which makes it more vesatile and had I thought about it I could have put a tab on both pieces and buttons down both sides sewn back to back.  Next time!!  

This little bit of  hand stitching is all that I will get done today!!  It has been a busy week and next week will be much that same with out of the house commitments every day of the week!!   I am linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.  Therese