[girlndocs]

I have been using a length of cotton shirting for our wrap sling but with a trip coming up this summer I wanted to get something else.

I'm thinking that if I'm going to buy a new sling I'd really like to make sure it's something that'll carry us right through till Dd is done being worn. AFAIC this rules out things like gauze from the fabric store -- it's cool, but it doesn't seem like it would wear well.

Most of the wrap slings are out of our price range but I found Ellaroos for under $70 and I'm considering it. Are they durable? More durable than fabric I can buy at the fabric store? Any other tips?

Thanks

 

[Quindin]

You should maybe try to find an used German wrap at TBW or the Yahoo Babywearingswap - there are often Didys or Storchs for sale for way under the original price and in AMAZING condition. Post an ISO there to see what you can find. Those last forever (I actually heard that some moms in Germany pass their Didys down to their daughters!!)

 

[girlndocs]

I thought Didys and Girasols got kinda hot tho. I read they tend to be thick. We will be in MA in the height of the summer, doing outdoor stuff.

To tell the truth I am kind of smitten with the ER Chrstiane fabric and mostly I'm wondering, since I hear it's fairly thin, how is it different from the cotton I can get at the fabric store? And will it wear significantly better for that price?

 

[crystallynn]

I think the best you can get is a german wrap. (didy or storch) The price reflects the quality, though. It depends on how much you really are willing to spend.

 

[Quindin]

The fabric you get at fabric stores IS NOT the same quality as the material used for Babywearing wraps like Didymos and Storch. They have a special diagnoal weave that makes wrapping a baby work just perfectly - they are soft but VERY secure. They last forever and are worth every penny.
Also, they are not as blankety as you may thing (though I heard Girasols are thicker). I was very surprised as how different the Storch felt - smooth rather than blankety. Heavier than gauze, but not that much heavier.
I thought they were overrated, but once I felt a Storch I understood what everybody meant. I unfortunately did not get a hang of using wraps, but I plan to try again when my baby is bigger.
Ellaroos are GORGEOUS. As to the quality, I read from several people that the cotton is not as nice as that of German wraps', though it is of course nicer than any cotton at fabric stores (AND MUCH PRETTIER TOO!!)

 

[reilly's momma]

Are you looking to buy sturdier fabric & make it yourself or buy one already made? If the former, I've had good results with quilting batiks & homespuns, shirting material often tends to be more lightweight & so wears faster. The quilting batiks will be a bit lighter weight than the homespuns, but last pretty well in my experience & work well all year.

 

[morgainesmama]

reilly's momma,

Are you making wraps out of quilting cottons? If you are, I would suggest you might be missing out -- any quilting cottons I've ever tried for wraps leave loads of pressure points and just generally don't "hug" a baby like other fabrics do.

As to EllaRoo fabric -- I believe it is handwoven Guatemalan fabric, like the Maya Wrap. I have seen it in fabric stores upward of $10 - $15/yard. It will wear like iron -- five years of constant daily use finally wore a few holes in my Maya Wrap. Many prefer the EllaRoo to the German wraps, finding it cooler, more lightweight, and easier to manipulate. I had a Nora Didy and it was always the last wrap I grabbed -- I have a silver waves now that I like better, but it still wouldn't be the first I reached for. I have never tried an EllaRoo though.

WHereabouts in MA are you going to be, and when? Maybe you could come play with us at July's Boston Babywearer's meeting.

Kristi