This article was co-authored by Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz is a professional pattern maker and clothing designer at DGpatterns in Vancouver, Canada. With over 5 years of experience, Daniela creates modern and unique silhouettes that are suitable for a busy everyday life. Her blog, On the Cutting Floor, contains sewing tips and PDF sewing patterns for a variety of projects and designs.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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It can be really hard to be productive when you're carrying around your baby all day. That's where a baby sling comes in! Wearing your baby can help free up your hands, allowing you to keep your baby close while still getting a few things done. There are plenty of commercial baby slings on the market, but making your own baby sling lets you save a little money and personalize your baby's carrier at the same time. We're here to answer your questions so you can make this project a reality!
Steps
What kind of fabric do you use to make a baby sling?
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1Use fabrics like cotton or denim so the sling won't tear or stretch. It's important that the material you use is strong enough to support your baby's weight without tearing, and it needs to be breathable so your baby doesn't get too hot. Also, make sure whatever you use is super-soft so it doesn't irritate your baby's delicate skin. Linen, cotton, and soft denim are all excellent choices.[1]
- Avoid using anything too stretchy, like jersey—it will lose its shape as you use it, so it might not hold your baby safely. Also, fabrics like flannel, muslin, and quilting fabrics will not be strong enough to support your baby.
- Try picking a fabric in a fun color that matches your personality. And if you're really crafty, you can even buy extra material to make matching clothes or cloth diapers for your baby!
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2Gather at least 2 yd (1.8 m) of your chosen fabric. You'll need about 2–2.5 yd (1.8–2.3 m) of material that's at least 36 in (91 cm) wide.[2] If you're plus-sized, add 18 in (46 cm) of material for every size above a US large to ensure you get a comfy fit.[3]
- For instance, if you wear a 2x, you'd add 54 in (140 cm) to 2.5 yd (2.3 m) for a total of 4 yd (3.7 m).
How do you make a ring sling carrier for a baby?
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1Purchase 2 rings designed for a baby sling. Your best bet is to order rings online that are specifically meant for baby slings—these are strong enough to hold your baby's weight, and they're made of materials that are safe for a baby. Buy rings that are 2.5–3 in (6.4–7.6 cm) in diameter and .25–.5 in (0.64–1.27 cm) thick. If you're using a thicker fabric like twill, opt for the bigger 3 in (7.6 cm) rings.[4]
- In a pinch, you can buy 3 in (7.6 cm) rings at a hardware store—just make sure there aren't any rough welded edges. Also, keep in mind that these may not be made of a baby-safe material, so don't let your baby put them in their mouth.
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2Loop one end of the fabric through the rings and stitch it down. Lay your sling fabric out flat in front of you. Stack the 2 rings on top of each other, then slide one of the short ends of the fabric through both rings. Fold the fabric over about 4–8 in (10–20 cm) and pin both layers together, pleating or gathering it if you'd like.[5] Then, secure it with 3 rows of stitches, removing the pins as you sew.[6]
- This hem supports your baby's weight, which is why you should use multiple rows of stitches.
How do you wear a ring sling?
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1Loop the free end of the sling through the rings. When you look at your sling, one end will have rings sewn onto it, and the other will not. Drape the ringed end of the sling over one shoulder, then bring the remaining fabric behind your back, under your opposite arm, and across your chest. Gather the fabric on the long end neatly, then pull it through both rings from the bottom. Then, separate the rings and pass the fabric over the bottom of the top ring and under the bottom of the second.[7]
- Spread the fabric out as flat as you can as you're wrapping it—don't let it bunch up or twist.[8]
- Adjust the fabric so the lower hem is snug against your chest and the top hem is loose.
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2Put your baby high on your chest and lower them into the sling feet-first. Carefully lift your baby, then slide them into the pouch so the fabric stretches from knee to knee and rests securely under their bottom, and bring up the top all the way to their neck.[9]
- Pull the slack fabric toward the ring, then tighten it until the sling is snug around your baby.
- To make sure your baby is secure and comfortable, double-check that their knees are higher than their bottom.
How do you make a baby sling out of a shirt?
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1Create tubes out of 3 fitted T-shirts. Cut each shirt horizontally under the sleeves to create a tube out of the body. Put on 2 of the tubes almost like sashes, so they go from your shoulders to your sides. Wear 1 tube on each shoulder so they crisscross over your chest. Step into the other tube (or pull it over your head) so it's wrapped around your belly—you'll pull this up later.[13]
- Make sure the T-shirts aren't stretched out or torn—they need to fit snugly on your body.
- You can also use tube tops if you have them.
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2Slide the baby's legs into the criss-crossed tubes. Lift your baby up onto your chest and pull the 2 shirts away from your body. Slide your baby into the fabric, criss-crossing the sashes through their legs. The material should form an X under your baby's diaper and up their back, and your baby's legs should be dangling free in an M-shape.
- Once your baby is secure, pull the extra tube up from your waist so it stretches from underneath your baby's bottom and up over their back. This will provide extra support.[14]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are the best fabrics for a safe baby sling?Daniela Gutierrez-DiazDaniela Gutierrez-Diaz is a professional pattern maker and clothing designer at DGpatterns in Vancouver, Canada. With over 5 years of experience, Daniela creates modern and unique silhouettes that are suitable for a busy everyday life. Her blog, On the Cutting Floor, contains sewing tips and PDF sewing patterns for a variety of projects and designs.
Clothing DesignerLinen works great for this. Cotton is also a good fabric, especially if you can find one with bamboo viscose mixed in. Basically, you want a fabric that isn't too stretchy but is soft and comfortable, too. If you don't want to buy extra fabric, get creative with any strong fabric you already have at home, like a bedsheet, woven cotton scarf, or tablecloth. -
QuestionWhat fabric is safe for making a baby sling?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerThick, durable fabrics like cotton, linen, twill, and denim are best because they won't tear or stretch. Avoid knits and jersey material since those fabrics are too stretchy and won't provide enough support. -
QuestionWhere can I buy the rings for baby slings?Community AnswerYou can buy from an online retailer like Amazon or at a craft store. You could also repurpose a ring from a belt, shirt or purse.
References
- ↑ Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz. Clothing Designer. Expert Interview. 3 July 2019
- ↑ Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz. Clothing Designer. Expert Interview. 3 July 2019
- ↑ https://abeautifulmess.com/naturally-dyed-ring-sling-ring-baby-carrier-diy/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MPbK_lGS_jk?t=36
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dVif1l3A2_0?t=64
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dVif1l3A2_0?t=148
- ↑ https://youtu.be/5C45O8iUIyY?t=5
- ↑ https://youtu.be/5C45O8iUIyY?t=41
- ↑ https://youtu.be/5C45O8iUIyY?t=81
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MPbK_lGS_jk?t=52
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MPbK_lGS_jk?t=36
- ↑ https://youtu.be/m2MOrJmt12o?t=3
- ↑ https://youtu.be/HAkFflrNT2w?t=114
- ↑ https://youtu.be/HAkFflrNT2w?t=175
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-sling/faq-20058208
- ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/safety/equipment-furniture/baby-carrier-sling-safety
About This Article
To make a baby sling, start by choosing a strong fabric, like denim or linen, that won’t tear or lose its shape. Then, thread the fabric through 2 rings that are 2.5 inches in diameter and at least 3/8 inches thick. When the rings are about 12 inches from one end of the fabric, thread the fabric back over the 1st ring and under the 2nd ring. If the fabric is bunched up after being threaded, pull it apart to evenly distribute it over the rings. Finally, put the sling on by wrapping the longer end of the fabric around your body. To learn how to sew a ring sling or a pouch sling for your baby, keep reading!