How to Sew a Baby Sling with a Padded Rail

Adjustable slings are an alternative to front carriers.

Babywearing is a parenting method that carries a baby in a sling and keeps the child close to the caregiver. The practice, which promotes a strong bond between parent and child, is widely endorsed by Dr. William Sears, an author of more than 40 pediatric books and articles. There are several designs that include ring or adjustable slings. These slings are made of a piece of fabric that is wrapped around the wearer's body and secured through a ring. The adjustable sling can feature a padded rail to increase the baby's comfort level.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Washing machine
• Laundry detergent
• Dryer
• Fabric
• Measuring tape
• Fabric marker
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing machine or sewing needle
• Quilt batting
• Sewing pins
• 2 nylon rings, 3-inch

Instructions

1. Wash your fabric per the manufacturer's recommendations. Run the fabric through an additional rinse cycle to remove any residual detergent.

2. Place your fabric in a dryer, and dry the material on a high heat setting without fabric softener.

3. Measure, mark, and cut a piece of fabric that is 48 inches wide and 90 inches long.

4. Lay the fabric on a flat surface with the pattern face (wrong side) down.

   The narrow edges should be on the left and right sides. Fold 1/4 inch of the fabric over on the right side. Thread the sewing needle or sewing machine, and sew the folded edge 1/8 inch from the edge of the fold.

5. Fold the right edge over a second time 1/4 inch. Sew the folded edge 1/8 inch from the edge of the new fold. This area will be referred to as the tail.

6. Measure, mark, and cut two pieces of quilt batting that are each 12 inches by 4 feet. Lay the batting on a flat surface with the narrow edges on the right and left sides. Fold the fabric in thirds lengthwise to form two 4 inch by 4 feet pieces. Place the batting pieces against the edges of the fabric, 2 feet from the edge of the tail.

7. Fold the bottom edge of the fabric piece over the top of the bottom piece of batting. Fold the padding and fabric over again to make a pocket. The folds should continue along the entire length of the fabric.

8. Slide the edge of the batting down slightly, and pin the top edge of the folded fabric with sewing pins. Sew along the pinned fabric 1/4 inch from the edge. Remove sewing pins. Place small lengths of stitches along the middle of the railed area and folded fabric to secure the side and batting in place.

9. Fold the top edge of the fabric piece over the top of the top piece of batting. Fold the padding and fabric over again to make a pocket. The folds should continue along the entire length of the fabric.

10. Repeat step 8 on this new rail.

11. Measure, mark, and cut three pieces of quilt batting measuring 6 inches by 8 inches. Place this piece of batting lengthwise on the left side of the sling, 1/2 inch from the edge.

12. Fold the top and bottom edge of the fabric so that the edges touch the edges of the batting. Fold the creased fabric over the batting on the top and bottom so that the folded edges overlap slightly in the center of the batting.

13. Insert sewing pins in the overlapped area. Sew along the overlapped areas. Remove sewing pins. This will be your shoulder pad.

14. Fold the left side of the fabric over 1/2 inch. Sew the fabric 1/4 inch from the left edge.

15. Slide the nylon rings over the shoulder pad, and push them down the length of fabric until they are against the edge of the rails. Fold the shoulder pad down until the end is even with the right edge of the rails and is centered between the rails.

16. Sew along the middle of the shoulder pad to secure it to the fabric. Sew parallel lines 1 1/2 inch from each pad edge. Sew along the top and bottom of the shoulder pad 1/2 inch from the edges.

17. Grasp the tail, and fold it toward the left. Pass the tail through both rings. Fold the tail down over the top of the first ring and through the second ring to secure the sling. Pull on the tail until the sling is the proper length.

Tips & Warnings

• The sling may need to be readjusted after the sling is put on and the baby is inserted in the pouch.

References

• M134: How to Make an Adjustable Sling
• Ask Dr. Sears: What Babywearing Means - Our Story