best fabrics for pouches?

[Glittergal]

okay, the simplicity of these pouches and slings I am buying is killing me! It's time to sew! I have all sorts of cute fabric scraps I think I could use to make some pouches but does anyone have any suggestions of fabrics to use or not to use? I definitely won't do fleece or a really stretchy knit. What about calico type fabrics? ideas? TIA!

[rubelin]

I think things with a bit of give are the best for pouches; heavy sturdy knits, looser wovens, etc. What sorts of scraps do you have (do make sure they are big enough, you don't really want more than 2 seams on these)?? Maybe we can help you narrow down your selections??

[mattjule]

I agree with Robin, stretchy is actually better for pouches. I have made about 4 now, 2 stretchy, 1 not, 1 a combo and found that the stretchy works well. If you don't like the fabric options for stretchy fabrics, do the main part of the sling a nice cotton and the part the baby goes in as knit, like this:http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...c065c6&notag=1

I put darts in the top and bottom of the knit to create a more snug fit for baby, though a while after I did it I realized that elastic would work just as well. This pattern is also nice b/c you don't have any seams on the shoulder part of the sling so nothing to gouge you if baby is heavy. I have also done a fixed (not adjustable) version of the cotton pouch from kk. That one was a bit more tricky b/c the stretch twill I bought was less stretchy than my fleece one I used as a pattern so I did have to rip out the shoulder seam and resew it. I am planning on making another cotton/knit combo for myself this time (that one was for a mama at MDC). In fact, I should trademark that pattern or something. It works really well, she said, except that the top of the knit is still loose on baby when sleeping (hence my thought about elastic)

I thing that really killed me was paying $80 for my hug-a-bub that is a glorified 6 yd piece of jersey fabric. Nothing else. But since I couldn't get a decent pic to figure out the dimensions, I kind of had to buy it. I didn't know how long it was or how wide. : $80!

I do know a mama that used her kk fleece pouch as a pattern for a non-stretch pouch and she liked it, but when I tried to do the same, I had trouble making baby secure. It also isn't going to grow with baby as well as something that stretches. Just something to think about...

[Glittergal]

thanks for the ideas. what precipitated this question is that i just bought a hotsling...only cost $20 and it is fabulous but when i opened it, i thought, even me with my sloppy sewing skills could whip something like this up in seconds! i can't wait to start experimenting. then dh can't get annoyed with me buying new carriers. he just doesn't understand they are one of the few accessories i can wear these days!!!

[Knittin' in the Shade]

my favorite pouch sling is a berber fleece one I made myself it's cozy, but not too hot, and has just the right amount of stretch, so it doesn't dig into my shoulder or back