Help! I need to design a bib

[Woodi]

and not a baby or child bib - but rather an almost elegant, grownup bib (or bib for grownups), and not drooling ancient "in a nursing home" grownups.

Ok, confession: it's for me, and a friend. We were commiserating over how we ruin t-shirts and blouses when we go out to eat, or even eat at home...by dropping food onto our ample bosoms. I have noticed that the more flat-chested people (men and women alike) don't seem to drop. I blame it on the 'platform' which forms when we larger bosomed folk lean over a plate of food.

SO! We tried to design a bib via sewing, and spent weeks at it. With lots of laughter and friendship, we played and played - but nothing came of it.

Today, my husband said: "why don't you knit a few bibs....in different colors, with maybe a scarf effect, so it can look almost decorative"....

what an idea!....anybody have any pattern suggestions? I'll be working on one today...

[Jan in CA]

Hmm... I don't think I'd ever wear anything that actually looked like a bib, but your DH is onto something. There are lots of those small triangle shawl patterns that could be used for this.

[Woodi]

Well today we ate at a hamburger place and I had three napkins tucked under my chin (very juicy bugers - Harveys', know it?)

So, triangular bibs er, I mean scarves huh? Sounds like a maybe....

Thanks Jan.

[Puddinpop]

I made a big girl bib for my 5 year old grand daughter with a white dish cloth that I bought at Wal Mart. I cut at the top a neck shape, rounded the edges and but a pink twill tape around all the edges. I put a jumbo snap at the connecting pieces in the back of the neck shape. I then embroidered her name in giant letters with pink embroidery thread on my embroidery machine. It works great and she uses it every time she comes over and eats with us. That would probably work for you.

[ShanaHoo]

Ok, confession: it's for me, and a friend. We were commiserating over how we ruin t-shirts and blouses when we go out to eat, or even eat at home...by dropping food onto our ample bosoms. I have noticed that the more flat-chested people (men and women alike) don't seem to drop. I blame it on the 'platform' which forms when we larger bosomed folk lean over a plate of food.

I don't really have any bib ideas, but I'd love to commiserate with you, also! I can't even begin to count the number of times I've come home and taken my bra off after a movie and had half the tub of popcorn fall on the floor. My mom calls this "saving some for later." She also calls her cleavage her "other purse" because of all the things she can keep in there (I once saw her pull out a cell phone, her drivers license, $20, and a stick of gum).

I think the less-endowed drop food, too, but it keeps falling down into their laps onto the inconspicuous napkins they have placed there. Unfotunately, tucking a napkin into the collar of your shirt is not inconspicuous. So for us, it falls unto (or more often for me at least, IN TO) our shirts.

I think the scarf-like idea is the best. I'd be careful not to make it TOO pretty, because then you'd feel guilty for dirtying it up.

[MerigoldinWA]

Here is a link to the home page of Drops GarnStudio

They have a lot of categories and I thought you might get some inspiration or even a pattern that you think would work in the section called "Ponchos and Shawls". I was thinking of possibly using one of their shoulderette thingies like number 115-11 on page 2 of that section. They also have triangular scarves and some other things that might work. Check it out!

[Woodi]

Wow, Merigold, that is a lovely lovely shawl, 115-11. Not sure I'd want to drop food on it! and I wouldn't need a back part, just the front. Oh dear, maybe this isn't such a good idea after all.

I'll keep working on my adult-bib idea. So far I found a baby bib pattern that just needs to be widened and lengthened.....or maybe a simple rectangle with a strap over one shoulder. I'll keep on working on it, show you what I come up with.

Meanwhile, my hubby bought me a bib (institutional-style), quite ugly. I will only wear it at home.

[MerigoldinWA]

Spray and Wash is a pretty good product. Might save your shirts.

[Woodi]

Thanks, Merigold. I use Oxy-Clean when I can, but don't like the potent chemicals in my septic bed. But I still want a mulit-colored knit bibby. (stubborn)

[lenaznap]

Sounds like a great idea. I'm picturing something like a cross between a smock and a waist-length apron. I can't wait to see what you come up with.