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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.
NOTE: Many of the tutorials loaded to the web recently suggest sewing your fabric in half or in some other way creating a double layer sling. While this is possible, it will definitely make your sling harder to adjust. If you have the fabric on hand already, and time to experiment, it might be worth a try, but I prefer to save myself the aggravation and choose a fabric of suitable weight and design for a single layer sling.
Sleeping Baby not only has great instructions for sewing the sling, but great suggestions for choosing a fabric as well. With that in mind, please recognize that the links below all have some good ideas, but their inclusion here does not imply my approval of all of their methods or supplies.
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.
- More maya wrap construction pictures
- Overlapping pleated shoulder
- Another pleated shoulder very similar but sometimes we need more examples
- Pleats hired out! finished at the upholster's shop
- Gathered shoulder
- Another perspective on a gathered shoulder
- "Hotdog" shoulder by Sling-a-Ma-Bob
- Simplest hotdog shoulder
- Hybrid pouch/sling pattern
- Box Pleat Combo
- Portabebes instrucciones en espanol
Padded
- This next link is for a padded sling with a closed or open tail. These have become harder to find for purchase, and if this is what you are accustomed to, you may need to make your own. If you don't have a preference already, start with the unpadded sling and then add the padding if you feel it is needed. http://m134.bravepages.com/kel/slingmake.html
- You can purchase a complete pattern for a padded sling with accessories at http://www.elizabethlee.com
- This site has instructions in Dutch, along with everything you need to make a sling Netherlands Ring Sling Shop
No Sew
There are now a number of great instructions online for using rings and a scarf or similar item to make a sling without sewing.
- SlingRings' instructions on this site
- Others are catalogued at Sleeping Baby No Sew Instructions
- Watch this great step by step video as well at DIY Baby Sling
Onbuhimo
An onbuhimo (or onbu for short) is a Japanese back carrier. It uses a small rectangle, 2 long straps and 2 loops or rings to make a back pack shape for carrying a child. Depending on construction and technique it can be used for babies of many ages, carried on the front or the back of the parent. There is a crafty and simple tutorial at Placemat onbuhimo tutorial
For another example please see Onbuhimo Tutorial
If you have never sewn an asian style carrier before, you might want to check out the sleeping baby crafts page (as listed above and in the second link) or the sewing groups listed below for additional explanation of terms and help with construction details. An onbuhimo is a lightweight, comfortable way to do simple and secure back carry. This is a great second carrier project.
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! You may even find one of our elusive coupons.
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slingsewing This group is quiet now, but they will answer your questions if you ask nicely.
- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=48 You have to sign up to join this forum, but it is the grandaddy of them all
- Facebook is where the action is at these days and you can get nearly instant answers
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.
Occasionally we get requests for ideas for places to buy fabric. Here are a few, we look forward to hearing of more as you send them to us.
- Tablecloths are the latest trend in inexpensive jacquards! Mahogany Brand at Amazon There are lots more colors, and you can get 2 slings out of 1 tablecloth.
- A baby friendly small business is Sew Baby
- If you want a truly unique carrier, you can buy nice quality fabric blanks and dyes at Dharma Trading
