Make Your Own Baby Sling!

From WikiParenting

Babies love to be worn, and a sling is a great way to wear a baby. They are easy to put on quickly for around the house, quick errands, or for a nice walk. They are made to fit, so making your own allows for a perfect fit. They are also easy to make! Not only does making your own sling save a lot of money, but it also allows you to customize the sling with whatever fabrics you wish!

Contents 1 Materials 2 Measurements 3 Prepare Your Fabric 4 Making the Sling!

[edit] Materials

You will need to buy:

• 45” times 2 yards of Inner fabric (black broadcloth in example pictures)
• 45” times 2 yards of Outer fabric (floral flannel in example pictures)
• matching thread (black in example pictures)

Minimal stretch for the fabric is ideal for the beginner. Because of the length needed, this amount of fabric will make two slings. You can make another for a different caregiver, one for the car, or one for a friend!

[edit] Measurements

You need to measure loosely from your shoulder to the opposite hip, double this number, and add 3-4 inches. This number is your measurement “A”.

[edit] Prepare Your Fabric

• First, wash the fabric. This is very important as it will allow for any shrinkage to happen before you measure and sew.
• Cut both pieces of fabric length wise in half so you have 4 pieces of 22” by 2 yards fabric (2 of each, inner and outer)
• Set aside one piece of each for another project. You will use just one of each.

[edit] Making the Sling!

• Put the two long strips of fabric face to face neatly (pretty sides together)
• Stitch the edges together on both long sides, to make a long tube.
• Turn right- side- out.
• Fold your tube in half, so that your outer fabric is showing, and the inner is hidden, and you have about a 22” by 1 yard laid out.
• Fold your fabric in half the other way, so that you have 11” by 1 yard laid out.
• Measure from the seamed, folded corner towards the seamed, ragged corner “A” distance, mark with pin. (see photo)
• Measure from the folded, folded corner towards the folded, ragged corner “A” distance, then about 3” more, mark with pin.
• Cut a “half- smile” from the two marked points, as shown in pink in the picture.
  

  

  Measure where to cut your "smile" as shown in pink. Click on picture to enlarge
• Unfold one fold, sew your “smile” edge. (I do a double seam here for added strength)
• Trim edges neatly if there is more than ½ inch or so of fabric on the ragged side of your seam.
• Turn the sling inside out, so that the inner fabric is now showing.
• Sew the “smile” again. This should enclose the previous seam, so no ragged edges show. You just made a “French Seam”! (Again, I do a double seam again here, for strength, but this isn’t necessary).
  

  

  Finished sling before turning right- side- out, insert shows the seam. Click to enlarge.
• Turn the sling right- side out. You are done! You just finished your sling!

Wear your baby!! Remember, for a hip carry, line up the seam with baby’s spine for comfort and best fit. Baby’s tushie should fit right in the little “pouch” that the “smile” seam makes. Enjoy!

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