Make your own sling

If you have, or are willing to develop even the most basic sewing skills, you can make your own sling. This will save you money, and allow you to choose the fabric, size, and level of padding that suits you best.

Nearly comprehensive sling/carrier sewing list: http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/Sewing.htm

Un-Padded

• Shoulder styles directory
• Accordion-folded shoulder with shoulder cap: Maya Wrap - Baby Sling Instructions.
• Overlapping pleated shoulder
• Gathered shoulder
• "Hotdog" shoulder by Sling-a-Ma-Bob

Padded

• This next link is for a padded sling with a closed or open tail: http://m134.bravepages.com/kel/slingmake.html
• You can purchase a complete pattern for a padded sling with accessories at http://www.elizabethlee.com
• Samantha Lane offers her guide to padded slingmaking as well: Samantha Lane
• This is an innovative sling with elastic in the rails:
  http://www.mama-ts.com/freebies/SlingMakingBooklet.html
• Baby pouch pattern

You can find sling sewing tips and helps, and lots of positive feedback at these interactive forums. You will need to join to participate, but it's worth it!

• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slingsewing
• http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=48

Once you have examined a sling or a sling pattern you will see that with a little experimentation you can have the sling that's ideal for you.

Read here for more information about ring sizing