How to Make a Flannel Pouch Sling
Baby slings keep a small baby close to you while still keeping your hands free. There are many different styles of slings that you can make at home. A pouch sling is one that you can make one quickly. Very young babies often enjoy being carried in pouch slings. Sturdy flannel makes a warm pouch sling in cold climates, as it will keep both you and baby warm and cozy.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 2 each of two sturdy flannel fabrics
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Iron and ironing board
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure yourself from the seam of one shoulder to just above the bone of your opposite hip.
-
2
Add 3 inches to your measurement then double that number. If your original measurement is 25 inches your final number will be 56 inches.
-
-
3
Cut both of your fabrics into rectangles that are 22 inches tall and as long as your final number. Most fabrics are 44 inches wide, so cut the fabric in half longways and then trim it to the correct length.
-
4
Lay your first fabric down right side up and lay the second fabric on top of it, right side down. The right sides of your fabrics should be facing each other.
-
5
Fold your fabrics in half width-wise by bringing one vertical edge sideways to touch the other edge. Fold it in half again, but this time do it lengthwise so that you are bringing the bottom edge up to touch the top of your fabric. You should have a long rectangle of fabric with the open edges at the top and one upper corner should have all four loose corners of fabric.
-
6
Smooth out your fabric so that there are not any wrinkles and so that all of the edges and corners match.
-
7
Beginning at the top of your fabric where the loose corners are, draw a shape like a half smile with a pencil along the short edge of your fabric. Start your curve about 3 inches from the loose corners of the fabric, and end about 1/4 inch from the vertical edge of the fabric on the folded side.
-
8
Unfold your fabric lengthwise and sew along both the long sides of your fabric using a 1/4-inch seam.
-
9
Turn your sling right side out and use an iron to press the seams flat.
-
10
Fold your sling in half width-wise again and match up the curved edges. Pin them together and put the sling over your shoulder to check the fit. Sew the edges together using a 1/4-inch seam.
-
11
Turn the sling inside out so that the other fabric is on the outside, and stitch the curved seam again using a seam slightly bigger than 1/4 inch to enclose the raw edges. This is called a French seam.
-
12
Fold your sling in half lengthwise so that it forms a pouch and give it a try.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can stitch around the top and bottom of your sling before making the final fold in order to make it look neater.
Your sling is reversible so you can fold it in the other direction to have the opposite fabric on the outside.
Be sure to use strong flannel that does not have any stretch to it. Remember that it needs to hold the weight of a baby.
Be careful to position your baby in the sling so that his chin is up and his nose and mouth are visible.
Wash and dry your fabric before you begin so that your finished sling will not shrink.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
