Homemade sling takes Manhattan by storm
Categories: Eating & nutrition
When I emailed my friend
Larissa explaining to her that I had developed a concept for
an integrated sling/jacket while in the shower the morning before I planned to fly to New York (it was going to be made
from the yummiest tweedy suiting fabric), she was quick to offer her sling. It had the considerable benefit of already
having been made. So eight hours before my flight was scheduled to leave, I took her up on her offer.
The sling, made of simple, fruity cotton brocade and lined with birthday cake print, was a straightforward design. It's essentially a rectangle of fabric with long bands sewn to the top and bottom. Tie the bottom around your waist, insert child, wrap the top bands over your shoulders, crossed, then tied under your baby's bottom. It's great for walking around Manhattan (and got lots of oohs and ahhs even when Truman's face was all covered up), it allows me to blog and take meeting notes while Truman happily licks my nametag, I can even breastfeed with relative ease and discretion. For flexibility, it's better than the Snugli, and for baby coverage, it's better than the Hipster. It distributes the weight well. All in all - my highest marks yet for a sling for an older baby.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Amie 12-18-2005 @ 6:50PM
Is there a pattern available for the sling?
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Hillary 12-18-2005 @ 6:50PM
It looks like your standard, garden-variety mei tai to me! If you go here: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/index.html?Baby/ and click on the "asian inspired baby carriers" link you will see tons of info and patterns. I do like the mei tai style of carrier as well, but right now I'm happier with the Moby wrap with this particular baby (she likes to snuggle and the stretchiness of the moby is great)
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FR 12-18-2005 @ 6:50PM
I was going to say...looks like a mei tai!
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mamaloo 12-18-2005 @ 6:50PM
Yes, it's definately an ABC (Asian Baby Carrier). Lucky lady! Luckier baby!
I got one of these in a swap and I swear by them. All other slings, pouches, wraps and carriers just didn't hold a candle to this beauty.
All new mamas I know get one from me now. And, I'm a sewing spazz, so that's testament to how easy they are to make.
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larissa 12-18-2005 @ 6:50PM
It is! And that is exactly where I got the instructions. The fabric was an "end" for $10, a sturdy brocade that holds its shape well.
If you're new to sewing, or to slinging, I suggest reading the above-quoted pattern SEVERAL times before starting out - or gathering a couple other sets of mei tei instructions and comparing. (There are many free versions around the net). These instructions give a lot of discussion of strap length, which was meaningless to me since I'd never used a mei tei. In fact, the discussion of strap length so boggled my mind that I sewed this sucker wrong TWICE, and had to rip some very sturdy sections stitch by stitch.
While the instructions are free and I am very grateful for them, I suggest you take more time than I did to read and research before you jump in and start sewing. And Sarah, I'm glad you like it!
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larissa 12-18-2005 @ 6:50PM
BTW, I should add that those instructions have a very good graphic of how the mei tei pieces lay out for sewing. Nicely done.
Just remember, you are sewing inside out. I think one of the mistakes I made was sewing the straps down so that when I opened it they didn't lay flat. Come on brain, remember home ec?
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