In my case the answer is scrappy, creative, wild and wonderful baby bibs.
Number two created in the series is "Baby Bibs by Bonnie." The nine-up format works well and will be altered only slightly in the forthcoming editions.
No you cannot order a bib, each is made with the particular scraps that happen to be in my basket on that day and with the new baby in mind. Some are for girls, some are for boys but most are just fun unisex bibs. If I make one tomorrow it will be unlike any before.
The ones you see are just nine of the dozens made over the years and just a sample of those photographed since getting into digital scrapbooking. Looking at them now I remember that the BBQ bib went to DH neice's little boy, one or two of the top row to her little girl (couple of years ago). Many are long gone and I cannot remember to whom or even when.
The bib idea was not new with me but came from the interior designer I once worked for (Chicago days), who would send a custom made, monogrammed, lace trimmed bib to all client's babies and grandchildren intented as a keepsake. These were made in the shop where we had lamp shades and closet accessories created out of a garret studio in the building at State St. and Chicago Ave. They were expensive, quite formal and I doubt if they were ever used. The studio must be long gone as perhaps the building as well. I have not been in downtown Chicago in nearly 25 years, and would not know where to find a custom shop today.
Once my scrappy quilting days began I thought that washable cottons in outlandish combinations would be perfect for babies to spit forth and drool. The idea was to make a bib that would photograph brightly for baby pictures, some were made with appliqued initials (a recent one J.L.B. for my nephew's baby), all made with ties. One neice wanted Velcro tabs instead but that will not happen. Anyone who has tried to sew Velcro on the sewing machine knows that sticky-stuff (the back of the tabs) sticks to the needle and only alcohol will remove the mess. Sorry, but ties must suffice.
All are washable, even the trim (usually rick-rack or yo-yo's). How did I size the neck opening? I used the rim of a coffee cup to determine what would be an adequate and comfortable opening for a baby and then cut a pattern freehand. In the beginning they were smaller and more aptly proportioned to infants but as successive bibs were needed, they got bigger. Not really sure how that happened, it is just too difficult to cut off the fancy fabrics. Those without monogram are likely passed on to newer babies, these were never the stuff of keepsakes.
The odd thing is: I have never received a photograph of any baby wearing their bib (?).
Stay tuned for the next installment.... bbf
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