Sewing and improvising babycarriers

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General Help

• TheBabyWearer.com's DIY Forum Join in at our forum to read about and dicuss everything to do with sewing and improvising babycarriers. You must be logged on to access the forums.
• Reviews and where to buy DIY items (rings and some patterns) in our comprehensive Reviews section. (Also accessible from the Reviews menu).
• Jan's DIY page
  

Ring Slings

• Adding a zippered pocket Linda's simple but neat method for ading a zippered pocket to the tail of your ring sling. Could also be used on the end of a wrap carrier.
• Fabric FAQ Jan Andrea's guide to choosing fabric for making a sling (at sleepingbaby.net)
• Fleece ring sling Jan Andrea's instructions for making a fleece ring sling.
• Reversible ring sling Jan Andrea's instructions for making a reversible ring sling.
• No-sew sling Reverend Jan's improvised sling uses sling rings and takes 2 minutes to make! (at sleepingbaby.net)
• Maya Wrap Instructions use a concertina (accordian-style) shoulder.
• Sleeping Baby sling Reverend Jan's pattern includes a shoulder design with overlapping pleats (a variation on the accordian shoulder).
• Sling-a-ma-bob pattern uses a "hot-dog" style shoulder (folded towards the middle).
• SlingMeMommy sling uses a simple "gathered onto the rings" or "fan" shoulder.
• Baby Space Adjustable Pouch-style Sling is a hybrid between a pouch (with a curved seam sewn in) and an unpadded ring sling.
• Sew a Ring Sling Shoulder Style with No Visible Stitches. Instructions by Ashley, Sweet Things Baby Slings
  

Padded Slings

• Samantha Lane's sling Step by step photo instructions for a lightly padded sling with closed tail. (Large pdf file.)
• Bravepages adjustable sling - open tail.
• Angie's padded sling - thick padding, closed tail, elasticated rails. (Page down past the suggestions to get to the pattern.)
• Lydia's padded sling has padded, elasticated rails, padded shoulder, closed tail--second pattern is the padded one(at Lydias-legacy.com). Note that the first pattern on this page is for an unpadded sling, an old version of Reverend Jan's (Sleeping Baby) unpadded sling pattern.
• $Elizabeth Lee pattern - open tail
• $Sew Creative! pattern - thick padding, sewn tail. Pattern includes rings.
  

Doll sling/Children's slings

• Victoria White's Doll Sling

Pouches

• Flat fell seam used for the seam of most pouches. Instructions by Linda.
• Stacie's Pouch
• KarmaBaby Pouch
• $Sew and Go Baby - A Complete Collection Of Practical Baby Gear Projects by Jasmine Hubble Pattern book for babies includes a pouch (looks a bit like the New Native) and a structured soft carrier.
• Crocheted pouch Jan Andrea's instructions on making a crocheted pouch.
• Sweet Things Baby Things Pouch Kit
• Make a Pouch Shorter by Taking It In at the Shoulder. Instructions by Ashley, Sweet Things Baby Slings

Asian-inspired Carriers

• Wide-strapped buckle tai includes dimensions.
• Emma's Asian-style soft carrier has dimensions and optional extras - padding and pocket
• Sleeping Baby's Asian-style soft carrier includes dimensions and cutting layout. Pattern has padded shoulder straps.
• Frankenkozy Corinna's hybrid Asian-style babycarrier/wraparound carrier has the body of a Mei Tai and the very wide straps of a wraparound. Comprehensive photo directions by Sarah. Photos of the process and a gallery of pics of the finished product.
• Beth's Mei Tai Based on the Frankenkosy, Beth's version has a sleep hood and integrated pocket. With dimensions, diagrams and photos.
• Making the "Man-Tai" Wonderful step-by-step instructions explaining how a masculine fabric Mei Tai was made. Excellent pictures.
• No-sew Mei tai Mamatoto's directions for a now-sew fleece Mei tai-style carrier (a rectangle with four straps). And discussion of No-sew Mei tais including other people's methods (you need to be logged on to access this topic).
• $Sew and Go Baby - A Complete Collection Of Practical Baby Gear Projects by Jasmine Hubble Pattern book for babies includes a pouch (looks a bit like the New Native) and a structured soft carrier. Australian.
• Sleeping Baby's podegi
  
  

Wraps

• MamaToto's wrap carrier how to choose fabric to sew (or not sew) a fleece, woven or knit wrap (at Mamatoto.org).
• Sleeping Baby's Ring Wrap Reverend Jan has come up with a unique hybrid between a ring sling and a wrap carrier using rings at the back.
  

Rebozo

• BornToLove rebozo shaped carrier
  

Coats for babywearing

• Gypsy Mama's no-sew Poncho A poncho that you can make in less than an hour, designed for wearing your baby front, back or hip. Best made with fleece or other non-ravelling fabric.
• Jacket zipper panel Instructions to make a zipper panel to expand a normal jacket to fit during pregnancy or with a baby being worn on front.
• $Elizabeth Lee's nursing coat with zip-in baby panel.
  

Other sewing links

• Sewing reviews for retail sewing patterns, including the Elizabeth Lee patterns linked above as well as sewing machine reviews. (See menu on the left.) A great site!
• TheBabyWearer.com's DIY forum This is a discussion place for anyone who sews babycarriers or related products to talk about projects, ask questions etc. You need to be logged in to access the forums.
• Reviews of DIY babywearing products This is where other DIYers have reviewed products related to making your own babycarriers-sling rings, patterns etc. Also a good place to find sources for many of these products. You need to be logged in to access the reviews. Please submit your own reviews too!
  
  Last updated 16 November 2007
      © Jennifer Norton, 2007. All rights reserved.