How to Sew a Baby Sling

Sewing a baby sling is not hard to do and it is a wonderful way to carry your baby with you. They will hold infants and small toddlers depending on the baby's size and you select the fabric you want. You can even make one to match your outfit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 to 2 yards of 45 or 60 inch wide fabric for an average size woman
• Thread
• Sewing machine or hand needle
• 2 heavy duty plastic or metal rings with a diameter of at least 3 inches

1. Measure the length of fabric that you will need to sew your baby sling. You'll start by measuring from the top of one shoulder, diagonally across your back, around to your front and back to the top of the same shoulder. Add ½ yard of fabric to that measurement.

2. Create a narrow hem by folding the raw edge of the material over 1/4 inch. Fold the same area over 1/4 inch again to double the edge, which will completely hide the raw edge, and sew along the length of the fabric. Repeat the same steps on the other edge of the fabric to make a hem on the other side.

3. Double fold each hem, so that no unfinished edges show.

4. Hem the cut edges repeating the same method used on the raw edges. This will create a long rectangular piece of fabric with all four edges doubled and hemmed.

5. Divide the width of your rectangular piece of fabric by three then fold the fabric accordion style, making even folds. For example, a piece of fabric that is 60 inches wide, would be folded into approximately 20 sections, each three inch wide. This will result in a three-inch wide stack of material ready to loop through the rings making the shoulder rest.

6. Loop one end the accordion folded end of fabric through both of the rings and fold it back against itself. Sew the fabric securely, making several rows of straight stitching to add strength to the area. The rows of stitching should be about 1/4 inch apart.

7. Gather the fabric at the other end of the rectangular piece and hold it in your hand. Loop the end of the material through both rings then pull it back through one ring. This last loop will secure the sling and make it adjustable in length.

Tips & Warnings

• The length of the fabric you use will depend on your body size and how long you want the tail on your baby sling.
• The tail is the length of material that hangs from the bottom ring area of the sling, it's used to lengthen or shorten the sling.
• The size of the sling is going to vary based on the size of the person wearing it.
• Buy macramé rings at a craft store for the baby sling, or order them online.
• Use a fleece material for cold winter weather.
• If you are a larger then average size person, increase the size of the accordion folds up to six inches.
• Cotton, or a cotton polyester blend, are good fabric choices for a baby sling.
• Choose sturdy fabrics to hold your baby.
• Don't use materials that are silky, slick or shiny; they could slip out of the rings.
• Both sides of your fabric will show when the sling is being used, choose fabrics that look finished on both sides.

[thatsblue2u]

on 10/6/2008 PLEASE dont buy macrame rings for baby slings. There have been many cases of these rings bending and breaking. PLEASE order rings that are specifically made for slings. You can get them in many colors (nylon and aluminum) from www.SlingRings.com and www.NiftyRings.com. (Im not affiliated with either of these companies, but I care about the safety of all babies!)