DIY/ hot weather baby carrier advice needed... please read!

[Luvmy2Joshs]

Hello ladies. I made a stretchy wrap out of 97% cotton, 3% lycra when my son (now 12 months) was born. It's worked great but I'm moving to Hawaii and the wrap I have gets pretty hot in warm weather (we used it in NY this summer and it was a little uncomfortable on long walks). I've checked out some lightweight carriers (the gypsy mama bali breeze and the maya tie) but I really can't afford to buy a new carrier right now.

So here's my question: If I were to cut out the middle of the wrap and sew in a 100% cotton (like a calico) panel, do you think it would accomplishing making the wrap more breathable without compromising safety? Or would that not be substantial enough? And if not, does anyone have any suggestions on how I could make a wrap using lighter materials? Or a mei tei using lighter materials? What about a 100% cotton bedsheet would that be lightweight and strong enough? I checked at my local fabric store a few weeks ago for a bottomweight gauze, which my online research told me would work... but they said they won't have any until the summer which doesn't help me now. Oh, and once I move I won't have a sewing machine for awhile... so I need to figure this out asap. Thanks!

And if I can't make my own, does anybody have any opinions about any commerically available wraps that are a bit more breathable?

[Quirky]

I would suggest you head over to the DIY forum at The Babywearer -- there is lots of great info there and you can run a search on various types of carriers to find tutorials.

I am no fabric expert but personally the idea of trying to put a panel into the middle of stretchy jersey doesn't sound like a good idea....I would worry about the safety of the stitching on that one.

You can always do a no-sew gauze wrap --

http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=121

and you could look online for the right kind of fabric and just have it mailed to you. Shipping wouldn't be that expensive and you can search for free shipping coupons, discount coupons, etc.

Fabric.com has gauzes for $4/yd that look good.

[Luvmy2Joshs]

Yeah, I didn't think the panel idea would work out too well... I looked at the gauze fabrics on fabric.com, do you think a lightweight gauze would be sturdy enough without digging into his thighs?

[Friday13th]

I just got a WombFruit wrap for my summer baby. It seems really like weight and I think they're only $30 plus shipping. The link is here, http://wombfruits.blogspot.com/2009/...ease-read.html

It is a really, lightweight gauze so you could probably make one out of the same material but I'm not crafty at all and it seemed like a totally reasonable price.