wraps - just a long piece of fabric?

[songbird45]

Can you think of any reason I should pay $40 for a brand name wrap as opposed to buying 4 or 5 yards of fabric at a fabric store, cutting it in half lengthwise, and zigzag stitching the edge? Is there more to a wrap than it just being a long skinny piece of fabric? And after I do that, can I use the other half to make a sling?

[jocelynr]

This site talks about making your own wrap and using a SPOC (simple piece of cloth)

[baturay]

I think making one is definitly worth the time. My first wrap was a gauze home made wrap. I suggest though cutting it to a width of 25 inches, because wider wraps make it easier to do certain carries.

[springbride]

I have been thinking about making some sort of lighter weight wrap since my LO is due in July. I have seen comments about gauze wraps, but the picture that comes to my mind the little swab of gauze they put on your arm after a blood test... what fabric exactly is this? THanks!

[baturay]

Look for (or ask about) crinkle cotton at your local fabric store...that's the same thing as cotton gauze fabric.

[songbird45]

Originally Posted by jocelynr

This site talks about making your own wrap and using a SPOC (simple piece of cloth)

What a fantastic link! Thank you!

[pixiepunk]

i agree about making one. the kind of wrap you'd be able to buy for $40 brand new is not going to be any better than what you can make at home.

now, there is a *huge* difference between a DIY or store bought $40 and a quality woven wrap like a Didymos. but those cost well over $100 brand new, and there is definitely a reason for that - they are woven specifically for babywearing, with give in all the right places and support in all the right places, and there is most certainly an advantage in spending that extra money with a larger/heavier baby or toddler especially if you are going to be wearing the baby a lot. lighter weight fabric can create pressure points that can be uncomfortable when you're wearing for a long period of time with a heavier babe.

[KristyDi]

I love my DIY gauze wrap and have used it often. But as dd gets heavier, I begin to see the value of the specially woven, more expensive, wraps like didys or storchs etc. I have to wrap very carefully to avoid pressure points now, and sometimes they still appear. I've been stalking FSOT over at TBW trying to convince myslef to spend the $$ on a nice woven.