Have You Made Your Own Sling?

2007-07-23-make your own sling2.jpg If you google the words "Baby Sling," you'll come up with an endless number of websites selling all different types of slings. Today's slings have trendy and exotic names. They come in all kinds of colors and styles. Celebrities wear their babies in them like a new favorite accessory. But...they can also cost a fortune.

So, our thrifty friend Abbie, decided to make her own. That got us doing a little research of our own...

One of the most comprehensive sites we found was The Baby Wearer.com . Their site will lead you to instructions for just about any kind of sling you want to make.

Over at My Karma Baby.com we found great instructions including information and links on where to find great fabrics.

2007-07-23-make your own sling.jpg

When we read the words, "No Sew" we headed over to Sleeping Baby.net. All you'll need is a gorgeous piece of fabric and a ring to go with it. Check out Sling Rings.com for a nice selection of rings.

2007-07-23-maya wrap.jpg

If you favor the Maya Wrap, their website has the complete instructions to duplicate it with your own fabric.

This should get you started. Any other experienced DIY Sling Makers out there- give us your tips.

Comments (8)

i made my own and i love it! i bought rings from slingrings.com and bought 2 1/2 yards of fabric. it was printed cotton so it had a right and wrong side. the fabric was 45" wide and it just sewed it right sides together and basically just followed the instructions here it was REALLY easy! i love the rings because i can adjust it. it really keeps her happy while shopping and since i carried her in front of me while pregnant (of course) i had the muscles to carry her in a sling and not get sore! its really comfy and she loves it.

http://www.slingmemommy.com/pattern%20frame.htm

posted by kschueler on July 23rd 2007 at 4:41am
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as someone without a child (and therefore without a sling) I have a big question: doesn't your back hurt? I'd be concerned about having something that goes over only one shoulder and therefore makes me lean in one direction. Is this a problem and if so, what are the solutions?

I see that there is a wrap, but that seems like a lot of hassle every time you want to get the baby in and out.

posted by Eliza on July 23rd 2007 at 7:31am
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Eliza,
The sling keeps your back from hurting, actually. Without the sling, you're balancing the baby on your hip, sticking it out there and twisting your back. The sling takes the weight instead of your hip, and distributes it across your back. It's much better! (Though if you wear the baby too low, it can hurt your upper back/neck...you do have to wear the baby correctly.)

posted by avimom on July 23rd 2007 at 7:45am
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I have made three slings using the karma baby patterns. It was very easy. I couldn't believe that I had made my own sling. The fabrics I choose had a little give in them and I love that they stretched slightly. I made each of my slings for under $6 dollars. Be careful what type of fabric you choose. quilting cotton won't be strong enough unless you double it. I chose a stretch Poplin fabric which is a strong bottomweight fabric.

posted by lace on July 23rd 2007 at 7:54am
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I also made my own slings from a pattern found through thebabywearer.com
I used the "pocket sling"
http://www.ida.net/users/stace/sling.html You make the sling to your own body measurements. I made it in several different fabrics: black fleece, black cotton duck, and denim....I just couldn't stand the babyish fabrics I saw in stores.

I definitely agree that baby wearing is easier on the back than baby carrying...as avimom said, the weight is more evenly distributed across your body. Plus the baby is happy and your hands are free. With four children born within 5 years, my slings got a lot of use. I also recommend the Baby Bjorn when the baby is a bit bigger....I found it to be the most comfortable commercial carrier (and I tried quite a few)

posted by polkadot on July 23rd 2007 at 8:23am
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Thanks, Avimom and Polkadot!

Thanks for clarifying! I guess I was equating it with a one-strapped backpack, which always makes my back hurt.

posted by Eliza on July 23rd 2007 at 8:35am
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The easiest way to make a sling is to take a sarong (or a piece of fabric) and tie it in a tight knot. The knot goes in the place near your collarbone where the rings would go. I did this for a "summer sling" after having gotten used to a padded ring sling. You may have to adjust the knot a few times, but other than that, it is easy, and free, if you have an unused sarong hanging around, like I did.

As for hurting your back, I found the sling was better for my back than my baby bjorn. I still use the sling now sometimes (DD is 20 mos./26 lbs) but had to stop using the bjorn at around 10 mos.

posted by Monika on July 23rd 2007 at 11:40am
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Most people I know have found Bjorns to be a torture device, but they must suit some people. If you want a structured carrier, I'd look into an Ergo or bEco.
I haven't made my own (I am distinctly ungifted with crafts), but I am quite comfortable wearing my 20ish lb 1 year old in one-shouldered carries for up to a couple of hours.

posted by lb on July 23rd 2007 at 3:35pm
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