The bib and suspenders go together a little differently than you might think at first glance. The purpose of this particular order is to get all the raw edges tucked neatly under the facing.

Suspenders and Bib

Pick one pair of suspenders and one bib piece to serve as the facing. The other will be the outside front and suspenders. If you are adding an appliqué or other decoration to the front of the bib, do it before attaching the suspenders.

Sew the suspenders to the top of the bib. Refer to the suspender pattern illustration to be sure you're sewing the correct end to the bib. The two suspender pieces should curve toward each other. Match the side of the suspender to the side of the bib at the ½″ seam line, and sew the suspenders on. Press the seams toward the suspenders.

Repeat the process with the lining for the bib and suspenders.

Ruffle

Sew a narrow hem to the straight side of both the ruffle pieces. Sew a row or two of gathering stitches along the curved side. Gather the ruffles evenly along the outside edges of the bib and suspenders. The ruffle should end ½″ from the waistline and 1″ or 2″ before the end of the suspender.

Press the seam allowances away from the ruffle. Grade the seam allowance.

Facing

On the bib and suspender facing piece, fold and press the outside edges under ½″. These are the edges that correspond to the edges on the outside piece that have the ruffles.

With the right sides together, pin the lining to the bib and suspenders. Sew along the top of the bib, the inside of the suspenders, and across the bottom of the suspenders. You can open the seam allowances out and sew up the end of the suspenders as far as the ruffle.

Clip the corners and grade the seam. Turn the lining to the inside and press. Hand-stitch the lining to the ruffle seam allowance, or topstitch all the way around the suspenders and bib.

Stitch along the bottom of the bib to keep the two layers together.