Sling Your Baby

Make a Ring Sling WITHOUT a Sewing Machine

2008-03-25T21:27:00.003-04:00

I've had two people ask me this week about making a ring sling without a sewing machine. I figured I would go ahead and post my instructions on how to do this.

Materials:
2 to 2 1/2 yards of fabric (100% cotton, stretch cotton sateen, silk brocade)
Stitch Witchery (tape that you use to make a hem)
Iron
1 pair Medium Aluminum Sling Rings (www.slingrings.com)

1. Use the Stitch Witchery to hem the raw ends of the fabric.
2. Fold the fabric in half like a hot-dog (lengthwise).
3. Thread the fabric onto the rings following the video instructions here.

That's it! And the nice thing about not sewing the fabric into a long strip is that you can take it off the rings and use it as a cover or a blanket.

How to Make a Pouch Sling

2007-10-26T22:32:00.001-04:00

Ta-Da! I have finally made a video on how to make a pouch sling. Here are the materials you will need:

2 yards of pretty fabric (this could be just about anything: calico, corduroy, silk brocade, etc)
2 yards of baby flannel in coordinating color
A friend to share your fabric with (this will make two slings)

**update: After a few questions about this, I wanted to let everyone know that you do not HAVE to use baby flannel for the lining. You can use the same fabric you are using on the outside or anything else you'd like. Also, if you want your pouch to just be one layer, choose a fabric that is double sided (like seersucker) and just hem the edges after you cut it down the middle. I choose baby flannel b/c it is soft, that's the only reason really**

**second update added March 2010: The width of your fabric should be 45". If you really like a wider fabric, by all means get it! Just trim down the side before you start. The wider the fabric you start with, the deeper the pouch will be.**

The video will walk you through all the steps. Please let me know if you need more help. Good luck!

How to Make a Woven Wrap

2007-10-12T11:52:00.000-04:00

This is a similar wrap to the Cotton Wrap that I showed below, but because it does not have any stretch to it, you can do a wider variety of holds. You will need:

5 yards of heavy woven fabric (100% cotton or a heavy linen)
A friend to share

(As with the Cotton Wrap instructions, you may decide you don't want a full 5 yards - this is completely personal preference.)

Cut the fabric down the middle, length-wise, so that you have two 5 yard strips. You will need to hem the sides of the wrap because these will fray. Now, my mother would roll them over, measuring the entire time, pinning them down, then ironing before she sewed - a real seamstress. I am a hack seamstress, however, and I just roll the edge over twice and run it through the machine. I figure it's close enough and no one is going to be looking at your perfect (imperfect) edges when you have it wrapped around an adorable baby. :)

That's it! You're done! Hem up the other piece of fabric and give it to a friend. There is probably a little more cost in this sling because of the price of the fabric - but keep your eye open for sales at Joann's or a 40% coupon.

To wrap your sling, check out the free instructions posted on: www.didymos.com. And, as always, if you don't want to make this yourself, I highly recommend the wraps they sell at www.didymos.com.

How to Make a Cotton Wrap (NO SEWING)

2007-10-08T14:10:00.000-04:00

You will need:
5 yards of t-shirt cotton material
A friend to share with

This is almost silly to post instructions on because there is one step:

1. Cut the fabric down the middle, length-wise, so you have two 5 yard strips of fabric.

That's it! Because of the type of fabric, you don't have to sew anything because the edges will not fray - they just roll up a bit. You can experiment with the length of fabric. I say 5 yards because you can do any of the holds with 5 yards of fabric. If you find that shorter is better for you, guess what - just chop it off!

FYI - I purchased my material at Walmart for $1/yard. That means I made TWO wraps for just $5. A great deal!

For how to use instructions, check out the free instructions Moby Wrap has placed on their website: http://www.mobywrap.com/instructions.php.

How to Make a Ring Sling

2007-09-23T23:07:00.001-04:00

To make your own ring sling you will need to purchase:
1 3/4 - 2 1/2 yards of fabric
1 pair of sling rings

As for the length of fabric, it all depends on how long you want the "tail" of your ring sling to hang down, as well as how big of a person will be wearing the sling. For example, I am a small person and I like a short tail, so I usually only buy 2 yards of fabric. If you want a feel for how long you should buy, wrap the fabric around yourself with extra fabric for the tail.

As for the type of fabric, the absolute best is something that is 97% cotton, 3% spandex. The little bit of stretch is really nice. That said, I very rarely buy this because I mostly base my purchases on how cute the fabric is! The type of fabric I buy most often is 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend. You want a fabric that is 54/55 inches wide - but if you love something wider, get it and just cut it down to size. Also, once you've experimented, you can make a gorgeous, fancy sling out of duponai silk - but I wouldn't make that your first try.

As for the sling rings, I only purchase mine from www.SlingRings.com. These are great rings and made specifically for slings. You can buy all sorts of colors. I always purchase the aluminum rings. Medium size is good for a normal weight fabric. If you have a thicker fabric, I would purchase size Large.

That should be it! Watch the video below for the how-to. If you have questions, PLEASE post them. This seems clear to me, but may be mud for someone else.

Good luck!

How to Thread your Ring Sling

2007-07-06T22:51:00.001-04:00

Naptime/Cleantime

2007-03-27T16:08:00.000-04:00

Samuel is dozing away right now, even as I type this post. I put him in a wrap today b/c he was acting fussy and wanted "mommy time", but I needed to get the house picked up. He fell asleep before I could even get it tied up all the way! So Samuel is sleeping soundly while I pick up and get things in order around here. (Do you notice that I am also updating the blog, even though there are still dishes in the sink?!).

Mei Tai

2007-03-24T00:04:00.000-04:00

Great Babywearing Videos

2006-12-14T22:03:00.000-05:00

If you want some good ideas for how to use your sling, search "babywearing" on www.youtube.com. I also recommend searching "hip carry" on You Tube - this is how I've been carrying Samuel around lately. The video clips are very helpful.

Ring Sling Instructions

2006-11-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

Here are instructions for putting on and using a ring sling. I am modeling with my 10 week old son. Step 1: To start, put sling over the preferred shoulder, arranging the fabric straight across your back and rings at the shoulder.

Step 2: Once you have the sling on, adjust the rings so that they rest in "corsage position". You want them just below your clavicle. Spread the fabric over your shoulder and across your back. If it is bunched up on the back, or resting on your neck instead of your shoulder, you will be in pain after awhile. Loosen the fabric across your front so you can slide baby down in.

Step 3: Place baby in burp position. Grab baby's bottom with one hand and pull the sling fabric away from your body with the other.

Step 4: Slide baby down into the fabric of the sling. Make sure you pull the fabric all the way up his back. You can frog his legs up and leave them in the fabric, or you can pull his legs through and let them hang down. Just be sure to pull the bottom of the fabric tight by pulling on the side of the tail furthest from you.

Step 5: Secure baby in by pulling on the tail of the sling. You can pull the whole thing to bring baby close to you. Then pull the side of the tail closest to you to pull the top of the sling close. If you get it too tight, lift up on the outer ring to loosen the fabric. You want to pull baby in really tight.

Step 6: Now baby is secure and you are hands free!

Pouch Sling Instructions

2006-11-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

Here are instructions for putting on and using a pouch sling. I am modeling with my 10 week old son. Step 1: To start, put sling over the preferred shoulder, leaving the seam down towards your front.

Step 2: The seam of the sling should be in the front. Unless of course you are doing a hip carry, in which case the seam would go on your hip. The seam is always where baby's bottom will go. (I will show a hip carry with an older baby as soon as I can get a kid from my neighbor!)

Step 3: Place baby in burp position on the opposite shoulder from the sling.

Step 4: Once in burp position, open up the outer layer of fabric and guide baby's feet in. Make sure to leave a layer of fabric between you and baby.

Step 5: Slide baby down into the deep pocket of the sling. Make sure that his bottom rests in the seam part. You can frog his legs up so that he lays on your chest, or you can turn his body a little and stretch his legs out in the sling so he is more reclined and sideways like a hammock.

Step 6: Now baby is secure and you are hands free! (sorry for the unflattering picture of me - my husband snapped it early!)

2 month old in Pouch Sling

2006-11-03T22:15:00.000-05:00

2 month old in Pouch Sling - great for the beach because you can keep baby close and you don't have to try to push a stroller through the sand!

Brand New Baby in Pouch Sling

2006-11-03T22:06:00.000-05:00

You can use slings right away...this is Samuel in a pouch sling the day after we came home from the hospital.

6 weeks old in Pouch Sling

2006-11-03T22:05:00.000-05:00

This is Samuel at 6 weeks in a pouch sling.