Identify this sling for me

[alfabetsoup]

My mom just sent me a sling she used to use with me and my brothers. There are no instructions and I can't get her on the phone at the moment. Maybe someone here knows what it is...

It's very similar to a mei tai but with a shorter body. Instead of a hip strap, it has 2 loops of fabric at the bottom corners. The loops are about 12 inches long. I've been googling, and it's similar to an onbuhimo but wouldn't be possible to tie it like the tutorials I've seen as the loops are too long. The upper straps are just like a mei tai.

Any ideas?

[chase_mommy]

I have seen something similar to what you described on a youtube video. The loops were treated as the rings are in Onbu. Let me see if I can find the viedo... Its in Spanish but reminds me of what you are talking about. Not sure what its called. I guess I wasn't much help, huh? FWIW, I think it is awesome looking and have been thinking about making one.

[alfabetsoup]

That's similar. I don't think my original description was clear--if you took the bottom straps of a mei tai and doubled them back onto themselves, you'd have this sling. So, one loop on each bottom corner. Also it has a lot less fabric than the one in the video. That one looks awesome though! I'm sure this one ties something like that but the loops are so long that it doesn't work quite the same way.

[alfabetsoup]

Here's a picture:

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/t...y_b/Photo4.jpg

[chase_mommy]

Wow, thats tiny! I bet it is tied like an Onbu. Sorry I can't help you out. Post a pic when you figure out how to wear it!

[baturay]

Originally Posted by alfabetsoup

Here's a picture:

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/t...y_b/Photo4.jpg

I've never seen that before! I wonder how she tied it. Please post when you know. Looks interesting!

[alfabetsoup]

I've spoken to my mom and it is tied like an onbuhimo. The reason I couldn't get it on properly is that it is too big for me! The bottom loops are long so that it will fit a wide range of torsos. I tried it on DH and it fit much better, nice and high and DD seemed very happy in it. Really cute too (IMO!) Will try to get a picture later.

Apparently she got the pattern from the La Leche League--it would have been in 1977-78. I've been googling but can't find anything.

I do have a mei tai that I love (napsack baby) but wanted to wear this for the vintage value IYSWIM. Maybe I will just make DH wear it!

[chase_mommy]

Originally Posted by alfabetsoup

I've spoken to my mom and it is tied like an onbuhimo. The reason I couldn't get it on properly is that it is too big for me! The bottom loops are long so that it will fit a wide range of torsos. I tried it on DH and it fit much better, nice and high and DD seemed very happy in it. Really cute too (IMO!) Will try to get a picture later.

Apparently she got the pattern from the La Leche League--it would have been in 1977-78. I've been googling but can't find anything.

I do have a mei tai that I love (napsack baby) but wanted to wear this for the vintage value IYSWIM. Maybe I will just make DH wear it!

It looks simple enough to make, I would just go for making it without a pattern!

[alfabetsoup]

Originally Posted by chase_mommy

It looks simple enough to make, I would just go for making it without a pattern!

I just wanted to identify it, not make another one! Thanks for all the replies!

[MoonStarFalling]

That's interesting because my MIL got her carrier from a LLL pattern that same year but it isn't anything like that lol. I guess they had a wide range of patterns. How awesome!

[Quirky]

Wow, how cool! I've never heard of LLL having patterns for carriers -- it definitely looks like it's based on an Asian baby carrier but I've never seen huge loops like that at the bottom. I bet you could tie those up so that there are smaller holes at the base of the loop and use it like an onbuhimo.

That said, it's kinda hard to tell from the picture -- is there reinforcing stitching at the corners? I would be cautious with it before a) you know that the construction is sturdy and b) you know that the fabric and thread are still good. Fabrics and threads degrade over time, with washing, wear and tear, exposure to air and sun, etc. Nothing fabric is forever. I would give it some really really good hard pulls on the straps with your dh holding the carrier to make sure the seams will hold. There would be nothing worse than having a weight-bearing seam give way when it's in use.

[alfabetsoup]

Originally Posted by Quirky

Wow, how cool! I've never heard of LLL having patterns for carriers -- it definitely looks like it's based on an Asian baby carrier but I've never seen huge loops like that at the bottom. I bet you could tie those up so that there are smaller holes at the base of the loop and use it like an onbuhimo.

That said, it's kinda hard to tell from the picture -- is there reinforcing stitching at the corners? I would be cautious with it before a) you know that the construction is sturdy and b) you know that the fabric and thread are still good. Fabrics and threads degrade over time, with washing, wear and tear, exposure to air and sun, etc. Nothing fabric is forever. I would give it some really really good hard pulls on the straps with your dh holding the carrier to make sure the seams will hold. There would be nothing worse than having a weight-bearing seam give way when it's in use.

It is rock solid! I have checked it over carefully. My grandma is/was an expert seamstress (sadly she can't see to sew anymore) and the stitching is reinforced every which way from sunday. My mom was very careful with it too and it is in great condition considering its age.