IBW Day 6: DIY Babywearing!

In honor of International Babywearing Week, Judy reminds us that Babywearing doesn't require you to go buy a carrier at the store, a great carrier can be made in your own home!

I admit, I have the sewers curse.  You know, when you see something at the store, it's the curse that makes you say "I can do that better", or "I can do that more cheaply" or both.  This has resulted in a LONG list of to-do projects.  Baby carriers are not exempt from this curse, and as such, my entire stash is DIY. Thankfully, many carriers are not too complicated to make, even if you only sort of know your way around a sewing machine.

Let's start with wraps.  The simplest one to make is a stretchy wrap.
Step one:  go to the fabric store and buy about 5 yards of cotton interlock.
Step two:  cut it in half lengthwise.
Step three:  go use your new wrap!

Easy peasy, right?

Woven wraps require a bit more work.  Many people like to use muslin or osnaberg.  I didn't find muslin to be all that comfy, and I haven't tried osnaberg.  The big advantage to both of these fabrics is that
you can dye them whatever color you'd like.  I personally am a fan of wraps made from woven tablecloths.

Step one:  buy a 100% cotton tablecloth with a somewhat loose weave.
Step two:  cut it in half lengthwise.
Step three:  hem the raw edges.  If you want a short wrap, then you
are done.  If you want a longer wrap, then . . .
Step four:  overlap one end of each of the two halves by 4-6 inches.
Sew a double seam all around the overlapped box.
Step five:  go use your new wrap!

The next type of carrier that is relatively simple to make is the pouch.  They are so simple, in fact, that you could whip up a whole bunch in all different fabrics to match with whatever outfit you are wearing.  Take note, if you and hubby are different sizes, you'll need to make different pouches as a pouch that is the wrong size is both unsafe and quite uncomfortable for all people involved.  These are the two tutorials I have used to make the pouches.
http://www.handmade-adelaide-baby.com/baby-sling-pattern-2.html
http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2007/01/padded-pouch-sling-instructions.html

A close kin to the pouch is the ring sling, with the biggest difference being that a ring sling is adjustable while a pouch generally is not.  There are tons of different way that you can sew a ring sling shoulder, and Jan Andrea has a great tutorial on how to do them.  (http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/)
A very important thing to note is that you want to get very sturdy rings, ones without a seam in them.  This means that the rings you can find at a craft store ARE NOT sufficient. I've gotten rings from Lowe's or Home Depot that have held up quite nicely, but they are regular silver metal.  If you want colorful rings, you can order them online from slingrings.com  Please be sure that your rings are very sturdy as they will be bearing a large portion of your child's weight.

We are now leaving the land of "easy to make" carriers and entering the land of "easy if you have mad sewing skills" carriers.  "Why would I want to enter that land?" you ask?  Because then you can make your
carrier how ever YOU would like. Let's start with the mei tai.

The most basic mei tai is a rectangle with four straps with no padding anywhere.  This would be a good place to get your feet wet in mei tai making.  Once you've done that, you can then branch out and think about whether or not you want padded straps and/or body, whether or not you want a sleeping hood and if it should be flat or shaped like a hoodie, if you want toy loops . . . you get the idea.  Lots of mamas have posted really great tutorials on how to make them.  I spent MANY hours pouring over the different tutorials, taking notes, and synthesizing the different directions to come up with something that worked for me.  I have to warn you, once you've started down the mei-tai making road, you sort of become addicted.  You'll find all sorts of fun fabrics that you can use, and you'll keep coming up with different things that you can tweak.  I personally have a lot of mei tais, and I have fabric for several more!  What can I say, now that I've gotten the hang of making them, I've become addicted.  =)
http://scanditute.blogspot.com/
http://stilllearninglife.blogspot.com/2008/01/diy-hood-to-headrest-mei-tai-tutorial.html

Probably the trickiest type of carrier to DIY is the soft-structured carrier.  It's quite similar to the mei tai in that it's a rectangle with four straps, but the straps are much shorter and are buckled.
Another major difference is that SSC's have structured waists.  This part can be somewhat tricky to get right, finding padding that works for you and getting it correctly situated in relation to the body.
This is a project I've only tackled once, and I'm not sure that I'll be revisiting it!  This is the only tutorial I know of for an SSC:
http://latebloomercrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/SSC

Making your own carriers is very rewarding, kinda gives you a sense of accomplishment that you have made something cool for you and your little one.  Can you do it better than the "official" manufacturers?
Maybe, maybe not.  Can you do it more cheaply?  This definitely depends on your materials.  You can choose less expensive,  yet sturdy materials, or you can go for broke and get fabric that is $50 a yard.
The cost of the carrier is totally up to you.

A final word on DIY. I can't stress enough how important it is that you use sturdy and safe materials, high quality thread, and good, strong seams.  Always double check your work and make sure all of the
weight bearing seams will hold up to intense use.  If in doubt, add another line of stitching or add and extra layer of fabric.  As my mom has always said, "better safe than sorry!"

So go find yourself some great DIY tutorials, make a few practice carriers to get the hang of it and go nuts in the fabric store finding great fabrics for your carriers.  Above all have fun and be thorough!

Posted by Judy

Cold Weather Wearing: DIY Babywearing coat

Now that the cold weather should be here (maybe next week), let's talk about how to wear your child and keep you both warm.  Yes, you could spend the money on a dedicated babywearing coat, but you could just as easily convert a coat to accommodate both you and your little precious bundle.  Here is a fabulous tutorial that I used that was easy to follow even with my novice sewing skills.  These instructions were translated from German and used with permission from Nancy, with slight editing.

Choosing a coat & choosing fleece:
The coat I chose was a down coat, two sizes larger than what I normally wear.  I found it at our local thrift

store for less than $10.  As for the fleece, I just picked out something from our local fabric store that I thought would coordinate with the jacket.  I went a step further and found some faux fur to line the top of the pocket.

How big should the opening be?
I made my opening 23 cm x 57 cm, and measured down only 12 cm from the back seam of the jacket.

My coat had a slippery lining, and I had to pin the two layers carefully together, then run two (not one) lines of basting before I started zigzagging.  THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.  OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE A MILLION FEATHERS EVERYWHERE!! A helpful hint if you’re using a down coat, try to create a “valley” in the down so that your stitching and subsequent cuts will only have to go through the fabrics layers of the coat, not through feathers.

Carefully zigzag two lines of stitching, one on either side of the basting line. Make sure not to overlap the two lines of zigzagging, since you’ll be cutting between them.

Carefully cut between the two lines of zigzagging. This will leave you with a coat that has a 3-sided flap cut out, STILL CONNECTED along the bottom edge.




Vertical fleece inserts:
To cut your fleece, fold it so that the stretch goes perpendicular to the fold. Cut TWO of these pieces. (Note that it’s cut on the fold so that the insert is a DOUBLE LAYER of fleece!)   The piece should be a total of 61 cm long (draw the curve, starting 9 cm from the bottom), and 13 cm wide. I drew the curve freehand, which worked fine. (Then, to make sure the curves matched, I used the first piece I cut as a template for the second.)

Zigzag the open edges of the folded fleece piece together. Make sure the right side of the fleece is facing out! (This makes it tons easier to deal with.)

Match right sides of the fleece insert and the coat together, lining up the curved side of the fleece piece with the CENTER of the coat flap you’ve cut. (I.e., the curved side of the fleece will be sewn to the flap, while—eventually—the straight edge will be sewn to the main part of the coat.) NOTE: make sure when you line up the bottom of the fleece piece that there’s not going to be a gap once its sewn—i.e., you need to scootch the fleece piece down maybe 5mm to allow for a seam allowance at the bottom edge.

Sew the flap and the fleece piece together, with about a 6mm seam allowance.

Trim off any of the fleece piece that rises above the flap.

Do the same with the second side.

Fleece across the top of the flap:
The next piece you’ll cut and sew is the fleece piece that goes across the top of the flap. With the stretch of the fabric going in the SAME DIRECTION as the fold, fold your fleece. Cut a piece that’s 9 cm by 47 cm.   Zigzag the edges of the fleece together for easier handling. Matching right sides together, sew the fleece piece along the top edge of the flap.

BEFORE you do, pin it in place and give the whole thing a quick eyeball to make sure the flap is the right length to go up just a little beyond the top cut in the main body of the coat.


This is where I added the faux fur flap.  I used the same measurements as the fleece piece above.  It is just essentially a decorative cover.


Lining the raw edge on the inside of the pocket:
The next piece is the fleece that will line the inside of the opening at the top. With the stretch going long ways (and NOT cut on the fold), cut a piece that’s 5 cm by 24 cm


With right sides together (i.e., right side of the fleece with outside of the jacket), line up the edge of the cut along the top of the coat with the fleece piece. Fold over and pin 6mm at each side. Sew right along this edge. Then fold the piece of fleece around the raw edge of the coat/fleece seam to the inside of the coat. Pin it in place, and sew right on the original line of stitching. (you may need to fiddle a tiny bit to hide the seam allowances on the edges.) This makes a really nice soft edge for your baby’s face.

Putting it all together:
Matching ride sides together, line up and pin the flap to the coat body.

Starting from the bottom, sew, leaving a bare 3 mm seam allowance. Makes sure to catch the raw edges at the top. I ended up doing a little top stitching at the top corners to reinforce the connection.

The only thing that I would add would be a drawstring of some sort to adjust the opening of the pouch along the top rail.  Sometimes I could feel the cold air coming in, and that just defies the whole purpose of us wearing a coat!

The finished coat:

Other links to DIY Babywearing coats:

http://www.sedlmeiers.net/photos/Babywearing/BabywearingCoat/instructions.html

http://www.kiddiesgames.com/jacketinserts/

Posted by Angelique

Babywearing on a Budget

The birth of a baby brings many changes, many joys, and many financial discussions. For most families who are trying to save for college as well as pay for all the added costs of a child, there just never seems to be enough money. On top of that, many families see a drop in their income after the arrival of a new baby as parents choose to cut back their work hours, or pay for day care. All these factors add up to a new need to be frugal, while still trying to afford all those wonderful baby products, like baby carriers. Here are a few babywearing on a budget tips for those people who are trying to embrace their babies while keeping their checkbooks in balance.

#1 Try before you buy

The best place to try a baby carrier is at a babywearing meeting, of course! We have volunteer babywearing educators, as well as other friendly and knowledgeable parents who are happy to talk with you and let you try on their carriers. We also have a lending library with many styles of carriers. You can borrow a carrier for a few weeks to see if it truly is comfortable for you and your baby and that it fits your lifestyle. Before you go to a meeting, consider what you want in a carrier. Are you looking for something quick and easy for running errands? Do you hike regularly and want something sturdy, comfortable, and easy to clean? Do you do wear your baby all day and need something completely flexible? Knowing your needs will help us to pinpoint the right carrier for you.

Can’t make a meeting? Ask around. You’d be surprised how many closet babywearers there are. There may be other parents you know who have a carrier that you can try and borrow. Do not be afraid to ask. Most parents love to help other parents who are trying their best for their children.

#2 Buy used

Sure, we all want the best for our children, but used can actually be better. Many carriers are actually more comfortable once they are broken in. Personally, I never buy a new wrap because I do not have the time to make it soft and floppy. I just let someone else do all the work for me and then buy it used. Places like www.thebabywearer.com and www.diaperswappers.com as well as craigslist, ebay, and many consignment stores offer carriers for sale. If you are on a website be sure to post an In Search Of post to let people know what you are in search of a particular carrier. Every time I post on The Babywearer some nice mom looks in the back of her closet and finds the carrier I need.

The best way to get a good deal is to be flexible and patient. If you are set on one particular color or pattern you are not as likely to find what you are looking for as if you just choose a brand of carrier that works for you and search it out in a variety of colors and patterns. Likewise, waiting and watching the boards (and having your friends look for you as well) often proves to be the most financially savvy choice. Eventually someone will have the carrier you want at a price you can afford. Just be sure to always inspect a used carrier for wear and tear and never use any carrier that has signs of damage.

#3 Do it Yourself

I know this is a scary thought to many people, but it’s really not that hard. You don’t even have to sew. If you are looking for a stretchy wrap for a newborn, just buy 5 yards of jersey cotton from your local fabric department. Crinkle cotton gauze can make a great DIY non-stretchy wrap. That’s it! There are directions available for no-sew ring slings as well. All you need is good quality sturdy material and some sling rings (do not use craft rings from a craft store. They can break and are hazardous to your baby.) For those who have sewing skills or have a friend or relative with sewing skills, the sky is the limit. There are many websites with patterns and information on making any type of carrier, from a pouch to a mei tai. Two favorites are the Do-It-Yourself forum at www.thebabywearer.com and Jan Andrea’s directions . One of the great things about doing it yourself is that you can choose your own material and really customize your sling.

#4 Buy cheap

For those of us who do not do it ourselves, take advantage of good quality slings at a lower price. Once again, being flexible on colors and patterns can really help. Pouches are a great carrier to get at a lower price because they are notorious for being returned, since they can be hard to size. Take advantage and buy a returned pouch for less. Buy last season’s colors now, on sale, or look ahead to summer and buy those mesh and solarveil carriers in winter when they are cheap. Here are few examples of carriers on sale after a quick search of the web:

Kangaroo Korner has fleece pouches in their outlet for as low as $31. Mesh pouches are on sale for $50.

Hotslings has pouches in their outlet for $20.

Sleeping Baby Productions makes, arguably, some of the most comfortable and well made ring slings on the market, and the slings start, brand new, at $25. Also, you can buy your own material and send it to Jan and she will sew it for you for only $18!

Christmas Kozy carriers are on sale for $69

Comfy Joey has pouches and ring slings on sale for $27.50

Gypsy Mama has their Sarah wrap on sale for $55.

Don’t mind Pink Leapord? You can get a second from Ball Baby for $50.

Baby Sling Outlet- of course- is an outlet! (A long Hoppediz for only $32 sounds good in any color!)

Attached to Baby , Carry Me Away, Along for the Ride, Simply Slings and many other sites have clearance and outlet sections.

#5 You don’t need THE carrier (and borrow it if you really do!)

Sure a $300 silk sling would be nice, but my $30 ring sling is comfy, durable, and perfect for my every day uses. When it came time to baptize my son I borrowed a high-end ring sling (thank you!) from a very generous babywearer to look fancy for the day, and then went back to my regular, budgeted life just fine. Think you “have to” have a wrap handcrafted by fairies in the moonlight? The inexpensive used wrap that has snuggled a few babies before yours will do just as well without costing an arm and a leg. Once again, be flexible. There are a lot of great choices out there, and for special occasions, borrow! It will make the day feel even more special.

#6 Speaking of Special Occasions….

The holidays are coming up- so put that prized baby carrier on your list. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Baby showers are all great times to get a baby carrier as a present and not pay a dime for it! Many online retailers also have gift certificates. A few $50 gift certificates can go a long way and before you know it you will have that dream carrier and still have money in the bank.

Personally, I have at least 15 carriers but only regularly use 3 or 4 of them. If you take the time to find the carrier that works for your lifestyle you will be set to take on the world- or at least try. The most important thing to your baby is that you love him or her. So pinch your pennies, sew up your material, or snag that deal, and then enjoy the time spent snuggling with your baby.

Article posted by Carolyn

This article is intended for informational purposes. Carriers and vendors mentioned are for examples only. This does not constitute an endorsement of any one brand or vendor over another.