We have recently welcomed to the world our third precious son... 
he is a chubby little man with a BIG appetite and doesn't mind making a mess of feedtime either!

My darling husband refers to me as 'Mummy Milk Bar' and I'd never really thought much about the phrase until now! 
I have always considered myself blessed to have an abundant supply of breastmilk (despite my humble size!) yet with the 'let down' comes a whole heap of coughing and spluttering with milk exploding from his mouth and covering us both! 
This time round,  I'm also mix feeding with a bottle – and the same thing – milk pouring from his mouth, down his neck and all over our clothes! Not to mention the gush of excess milk that doesn't quite make it to his already full tummy when it's time to burp and the sore little creases that soon develop if I havn't wiped it away properly from his chubby little neck.

 I have always used bibs but find the store bought ones are too big in the neck opening for little ones who aren't yet on solids and too narrow across the shoulders that it misses the little sicky burps and it kind of defies the purpose of what I'm needing it for – I also have an abundance of towelling nappies which do cut it in the burping department but, let's be honest, not the most attractive thing that seems to be permanently attached to my neck!

So here's where the 'Mummy Milk Bar' Essentials comes in!
 I've created a PDF pattern bundle of 'must haves' for newborns (and bigger babies for that matter!) 
It contains the following essentials that all Mummy Milk Bar's should have on hand at feedtime:

2 sizes – BABY + TODDLER
Traditional bandana style bib - Practical and stylish addition to jazz up any outfit!

2 sizes – BABY + TODDLER
Shallow dribble bib with wide shoulders - Perfect for everyday

ONE SIZE
Ergonomic design to sit comfortably on the shoulder, contouring to the neck with wide ends 
to catch the mess and save your outfit!

The 'Mummy Milk Bar' Bundle is available to purchase >> HERE <<
Please note – you are purchasing the patern pieces only – you can read on for the very simple tutorial!

Why purchase the bundle when there are so many free tutorials out there?
Because I'm confident with the sizing and fit of these bibs/cloths, they are BEAUTIFULLY  and clearly illustrated 
AND by purchasing the patterns, you have free license to sell the products you make using our patterns!*
*(May not be mass produced - for small handmade businesses and home sewers only)

When you purchase the 'Mummy Milk Bar' Bundle, you will also receive FREE PRINTABLE tags to print off at home (suitable for US letter and A4)... whether you are giving your creations as a baby shower/newborn gift or selling as a gift set, these tags will make the perfect finishing touch to an already beautiful package!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
The 'Mummy Milk Bar' Essentials Bundle

Main Fabric
Cotton (woven or knit), Flannel

Backing Fabric
Something 'thirsty'! French Terry, Towelling, Bamboo Terry or Fleece 
(I chopped up an old thick bath towel)

Bib Fastenings (per bib)
2x full sets of snaps/press studs 
OR velcro (The pre cut adheisive dots are perfect!)

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS (x2 – MAIN + BACKING):
Drooler Bib – 50cm x 30cm 
Dribbler Bib – 25cm x 30cm
Burp Cloth – 60cm x 30cm 

Print the pattern pieces at ACTUAL SIZE (100%) – DO NOT scale.
Trim along the two edges where the wedge marker is sitting.
Join the pages together matching the letter wedges.

There are TWO options for finishing your bibs and cloths:
Traditionally – using a sewing machine: 
with RIGHT sides facing – sew, turn and topstitch.
OR 
Alternatively – the super quick, super easy but also very effective method of using a 4 thread overlocker/serger:
with WRONG sides facing, overlock the edges together – keeping the raw edge. 
(Use a coloured overlocker thread to make for an even greater visually appealing finish!)

Cut along the SOLID line for a 0.7cm (2/8") seam allowance on the pattern pieces. 
Lay the pattern pieces onto the fabric, making sure the grain line arrow is parallel to the selvedge and the fold lines are sitting on the fold of the fabric.
Trace the pattern pieces and transfer any markings (snap/velcro placement and stop/start seam markers) and cut out the fabric.

Turn the bib/burp cloth right side out through the small opening. Smooth out and press along the seam. 
Topstitch all the way around approx. 0.4cm (1/8") from the edge – closing the opening.

Apply the snaps/press studs/velcro using the placement markers from the pattern pieces as a guide.

Cut along the DOTTED line for NO seam allowance on the pattern pieces. 
Lay the pattern pieces onto the fabric, making sure the grain line arrow is parallel to the selvedge and the fold lines are sitting on the fold of the fabric.
Trace the pattern pieces and transfer any markings (snap/velcro placement and stop/start seam markers) and cut out the fabric.

DISENGAGE THE CUTTING BLADE ON YOUR OVERLOCKER/SERGER!
With WRONG sides of the main and backing fabric together (RIGHT sides facing out), sew along the edge, using the two markers you transferred from the pattern piece(s) as the starting point.

Take the following steps SLOWLY + CAREFULLY
Lift the presser foot and gently rotate the fabric manually through the feed dogs around the tight curves.

For the point on the DROOLER bib, sew all the way up to the point, then lift the presser foot and gently lift and pull the fabric and thread off the 'teeth' on the base plate (without pulling the threads or creating any slack). 
Rotate (swivel) the point and place it back in position under the presser foot. Continue sewing. 

Before you sew back over the starting point, trim the starting threads off – then sew an inch or two over the starting point. Before trimming back the finishing threads, pull on the lower looper threads to 'lock' the seam.

TIP – If you have fold over fabric labels, sew your label to the bib/cloth over the start/finish point of the seam to conceal it.

Apply the snaps/press studs/velcro in the same way as instructed for the traditional method.

Happy Sewing x

… When I tell my children about the story of Jesus who was persecuted and died on the cross so that we can have everlasting life and freedom. A time when I teach my children the fundamentals of sharing. (And ultimately 'sacrifice' when they generously share their easter goodies with everyone... mummy likes chocolate too! hehe)

Next add the bunny face detail to ONE of the outer pieces. You could also add a pom pom or tail to the other outer piece.
(Add the ear detail to both of the LINING pieces if you are creating a FLOPSY bunny bag). 

With the right sides of your outer fabric facing up towards you, place the lining pieces over the top, facing down.
Stitch along the top edge (ears).

Clip the inside curves of the ears. This will help create a smooth curved edge once you turn the bag right side out.
Do this by carefully snipping into the seam allowance close to the seam without cutting through your stitching.

Open up the pieces and lay them on top of one another making sure the seams 
where the lining joins to the outer body match on both the top and bottom pieces. Pin in place.

Sew all the way around the outside edge, leaving a small opening on the lining side as indicated on the pattern template.
Make sure you tuck the ears in, out of the way as you sew.

Use the small opening to turn the bag right side out (I pull the ears through first to make it a little easier).
Smooth out the seams and press with an iron.

Hand sew the small opening closed using a slip stitch OR machine stitch close to the edge.

Push the lining down into the outer bag and VOILA!

TO CLOSE THE BAG, TIE THE EARS LIKE THIS…

Please stop by our Facebook Page or join our Facebook Group to share your MOPSY + FLOPSY creations. 
I'm looking forward to seeing your take on our Easter Hunt Bunny Bags!