10 Scrapbooking Tips and tricks

I don’t claim to be an expert by any means, so take this list with a grain of salt. These are just some tips I’ve discovered along the way that can be a great help.

1. Alcohol free baby wipes are perfect for cleaning rubber and acrylic stamps
2. Not sure if a stamp is the perfect design for a certain spot? Stamp it first with a solvent ink like StazOn on a piece of plastic and lay over your project in progress to check. Clear inserts or packaging that come with products are handy for this.
3. Glossy Accents by Ranger is also a great adhesive for lumpy stuff and clear elements
4.Older stickers and diecuts that you probably won’t use again make great masks. To use the diecuts lightly apply a re-positionable adhesive to the back. Then ink, paint or spray over them
5. Place embellishments in odd numbers like three and five for more visual impact
6. No more e’s in your letter sticker pack? Try an upside down 3! I’ve done this tons of times. In fact I have also changed a lower case g into a y and an h, and an ampersand (&) into an S. It all depends on the font, so take a closer look to see what you can improvise!
7. Try using themed products on unrelated projects. I’ve used stickers from a wedding sheet on a layout about pizza and another about dinner guests. This way you get more bang for your buck!
8. Punch holes in raw chipboard to make it a more decorative element. The Crop-a-Dile cuts through chipboard like butter!
9.Grab five to seven left out items from your desk and challenge yourself to use them on a quick page. You’ll be amazed at what you come up with
10. When all fails, use Thickers!

Note: This article was originally posted on my Callaloo Soup Blog.

Baby bibs are one of those sewing projects that never go out of style — not because they’re trendy, but because they’re endlessly useful. This Baby Bib Sewing Pattern (Mix & Match) stood out because it understands real-life baby mess and real-life sewing time. Instead of a single bib shape, this pattern gives you options, which is exactly what you want when you’re sewing items that will be used (and washed) on repeat.

It’s the kind of pattern you bookmark knowing you’ll come back to it again and again — for baby showers, new arrivals, last-minute gifts, or simply to restock your own stash of practical baby basics.

Quick Pattern Overview

Pattern type: Baby bibs
Skill level: Beginner
Format: PDF sewing pattern
Sizing range: Baby / infant
Designed for: Everyday use, feeding time, gifting
Where to find it: Etsy (PDF sewing pattern)

Skill Level – What You Really Need to Know

This is a genuinely beginner-friendly sewing pattern. If you can sew curved seams and manage simple topstitching, you’ll be absolutely fine. There are no complicated closures or tricky techniques hiding in this design.

Because bibs are small and quick to sew, this pattern is especially forgiving. It’s ideal if you’re new to sewing for babies or want a low-pressure project that still feels satisfying to finish.

Fabric & Material Suggestions

Fabric choice matters with bibs more than almost anything else — they need to be soft, absorbent, and able to survive constant washing.

Best fabrics: Cotton, cotton flannel, terry toweling, muslin
For backing: Absorbent toweling or flannel
For trims: Bias binding or soft woven cotton
Fabrics to avoid: Anything stiff, scratchy, or non-breathable

This pattern works beautifully for using up fabric scraps, making it both budget-friendly and sustainable.

Fit, Sizing & Wearability Notes

These bibs are designed with baby comfort in mind. The shapes are practical, offering good coverage without being bulky or restrictive around the neck.

The mix-and-match element is especially helpful here — different bib shapes suit different stages, from milk feeds to messier solids. That flexibility makes this pattern far more useful than a single-style bib.

Before You Start Sewing This Pattern

Pre-wash fabrics to avoid shrinkage
Use soft thread suitable for baby items
Clip curves carefully for smooth edges
Press seams well for a neat finish
Check PDF print scale before cutting

These small steps help ensure a professional-looking result, even for beginners.

Customisation & Styling Ideas

This pattern is perfect for personalisation, which makes it ideal for gifts.

You could:

Mix prints and solids
Add simple embroidery or initials
Use contrast binding
Create themed sets
Sew coordinating burp cloths

Because the pattern is quick to sew, it’s easy to make multiple bibs in one sitting.

Who This Pattern Is Best For

This pattern is a great choice if you:

Sew for babies or new parents
Want a fast, practical project
Enjoy beginner-friendly sewing
Like patterns that use fabric scraps

You may want to skip this if:

You’re looking for a garment project
You dislike repetitive sewing
You prefer complex construction

Why We’re Sharing This Pattern

We love sharing patterns like this because they highlight the everyday usefulness of handmade sewing. Baby bibs might seem simple, but a well-designed pattern makes all the difference — especially one that offers flexibility and variety.

This mix-and-match bib pattern is practical, thoughtful, and genuinely useful, which is exactly what we look for in a Sewing Pattern Saturday feature.

About Sewing Pattern Saturday

Sewing Pattern Saturday is a regular series here on CraftGossip where we highlight sewing patterns by independent designers, with a strong focus on Etsy sellers and small businesses. It’s our way of supporting talented pattern makers while helping sewists find patterns they’ll actually use and enjoy sewing.

Find the Pattern Here

You can find the Baby Bib Sewing Pattern (Mix & Match) PDF on Etsy

Have you read?