How to Make a Baby Harness
Watching over youngsters is far from easy. They are so curious and full of energy. Often public places can be a nightmare when out and about while attempting to watch over your children at the same time. The simple answer to worry-free days is a child harness and tether. Keeping track of your tots will never be easier.
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Instructions
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Choose a fabric. When choosing make sure to pick a material that is soft and not irritating. It may be a good idea to bring your child along so he can pick out a color, design, or character that he likes best. Making a child a part of the process will most likely help ease him toward the acceptance of the idea of a harness and tether.
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Measure your child to reassure a properly fitting harness. The base of the harness will be 1 1/2-inch thick and reach around the upper part of the child's chest, not more than a few inches lower than their under arms. First you'll measure around your child's chest. To assure a comfortable fit and a little bit of growing space, add 2 inches to the measurements. Attached to the base of the harness will be two similar 1 1/2-inch thick straps. Each should fit over the front of one shoulder and connecting to the back of the opposite shoulder, making an X shape on their back. Measure where the straps would be placed and again add 2 inches.
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3
Prepare the filling by cutting it to size. The filling will prevent chafing and add comfortably, so use one of soft consistency. Thin sheets of cotton or foam padding work great. These sheets can most likely be found at any fabric store as well. Try not to choose a filling any more than 1/2 inch thick. Cut three individual filling strips, one for the base and two for each shoulder strap, using a sharp pair of craft scissors. The length will be determined on the measurements of your child and the width for all three strips should be an 1 1/2-inch.
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Cut the fabric to fit around the filling. For each shoulder strap, the fabric should be cut a 1/4 of an inch longer in length then your child's measurements. The fabric for the width of the shoulder straps should be 3 1/4 inches wide to assure space to stuff the filling after you sew the fabric together. The same instructions apply for the base of the harness.
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Sew the fabric to shape. Now that you have cut the material to the right measurements, the instructions for all three harness pieces are the same. Fold the fabric in half width wise as to simulate the shape of the strap. Before sewing make sure to fold the material so that it appears inside out, so that when you are finished sewing you can turn the fabric right side out and have on clean cut seam. Sew along the length of the fabric to create a cylinder shape, leaving the width of the straps open. Slide through the custom cut filling to create the shape of the straps. Finish off all three straps by sewing the ends on either side while making sure to leave a little bit of fabric to connect to the other pieces later on. Now connect the three individual straps together to create the harness shape. Sew either strap to the front of the harness in front of the shoulder to the back of the opposite shoulder to create an X shape. Make sure that the base strap has both endings in the middle of the back.
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Attach a three-pronged snap hook and tether to the back of the harness. Use a snap hook similar to the ones used on back packs. There should be about an inch of material on the side of each plastic piece that doesn't connect. Sew the material of each piece of the hook on the endings of the base strap. Now simply attach a tether, not to long in length, to the middle of the X on the back of the harness. After you complete this task, the harness is finished and ready to wear.
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