[chase_mommy]

So, I make all of my carriers. I have made ringslings, a pouch and a mei tie. So now I am ready to move onto another carrier and make a wrap. Here is what is holding me back... I don't know what type of fabric to use. I have never seen a wrap in real life to feel it and inspect the type of material. What type of material should I use? I bought some jersey cotton type material but then read she may be to heavy for that now, so I am at a loss. I have this fear of trying DD on and then it ripping and her tumbling out or I get something so rough and course I tie her one and cut off her circulation. I know, I am a bit paranoid but I honestly cant help it!

SO what are your suggestions? There are so many different types and blends of cottons, gauze, etc. Does it really matter? Please help an over thinken momma out give me a specific material, please!

: TIA!

Also, DD is 13 months old and 20lbs, I am looking to make something that will last up into toddler hood and then for new baby when that time comes.

 

[SaraLe6]

I went to Walmart and felt all the clearance fabrics, then chose the one that felt the most like a bedsheet (you can even just make one out of an old bedsheet if you have one). It was 65" wide fabric, I bought 5 yards, folded it in half so it was 32.5" wide and sewed it all around the edges. I personally recommend tapering the ends to make tying it easier and less bulky, I didn't do that with mine and wished I had. I also recommend sewing a line in contrasting thread or sewing some sort of tag in the center of the wrap, since for most carries you need to start at the center and that's hard to determine with 5 yards of fabric!

 

[limabean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraLe6 I went to Walmart and felt all the clearance fabrics, then chose the one that felt the most like a bedsheet (you can even just make one out of an old bedsheet if you have one). It was 65" wide fabric, I bought 5 yards, folded it in half so it was 32.5" wide and sewed it all around the edges. I personally recommend tapering the ends to make tying it easier and less bulky, I didn't do that with mine and wished I had. I also recommend sewing a line in contrasting thread or sewing some sort of tag in the center of the wrap, since for most carries you need to start at the center and that's hard to determine with 5 yards of fabric!

[Bolding mine]

I agree -- for me, sewing a button in the center is the easiest way to mark it!

 

[Hobie]

Take a peek at the DIY forum at thebabywearer.com. You'll find lots of helpfull info over there

 

[pixiepunk]

for an older/heavier baby or toddler, you want a sturdy woven fabric. the home decorator section of the fabric store is the best place to look. i know lots of DIY'ers have been raving about a fabric called Osnaberg that you can get at Joann's and online. it's a natural color (which is nice to keep natural or a good blank slate for dying) and it's a supportive woven fabric. Jan at SBP has even been making ring slings out of it to sell.

some folks can swing a cotton gauze fabric, but i find that with heavier babies it causes pressure points. but it's usually cheap so you could perhaps start there and see what you think.

it also kind of depends on what kinds of carries you want to do with it - if you want to do a cross-carry where several layers of fabric are going to be going across you and baby, it's a more supportive carry so you can get support from a lighter fabric. but if you're thinking ruck sack and rebozo type carries where it's just one layer of fabric, something more thickly woven is going to definitely be necessary.