Make A Baby Sling

How to make a baby sling that is easy and reversible. I LOVE these baby pouch slings. I tried several styles of baby carriers before settling on this style as my ultimate favorite. The pouch style sling is the easiest to work with (no straps and things to tangle with), and keeps my baby nice, warm and comfy. They are even great for breastfeeding. The day I tried one on I walked away with my daughter happily nursing away and was hooked from then on. I just made a brand new one for my one month old son and am busy making more for some friends. The reversible pouch baby sling has been a big hit in my circle!

Materials needed to make a baby sling:

• about 2 yards each of two different fabrics

• matching thread

• some cotton batting for leg padding

Fold your fabric in half width wise so that it is 10 - 12" wide by 2 yards. You may want to trim the length of the fabric as well. If your on the larger size 60" or so will work fine. You may want to trim down to about a yard and a half if you're smaller. Any left over fabric is great for making a small pocket for the outside of the sling.

Now you will want to cut the ends of the fabric into a half moon shape. To cut them perfectly symmetrical just fold the fabric on half lengthwise and cut through all layers in a kind of quarter circle shape (see diagrams).

Open up the fabric so you are back to two pieces lying flat right sides together. Pin these in place.

Next cut out two pieces of batting measuring about 8" by 2 1/2". Pin them down on opposite ends of the fabric as shown in the diagram.

Now sew about a 1/4" in from the edge all the way around the baby pouch sling fabric leaving a 1 - 2 " opening for turning. Make sure you are careful to sew the batting in place.

Remove all of the pins and turn the fabric right side out.

Press the baby pouch sling with a hot iron and hand stitch the opening shut. Go back and straight stitch along the edge of the sling about a 1/4" from the edge. When you come to where the batting is turn the fabric and sew 2" inward from the edge and then straight to the end of the fabric about 8".

If you have enough fabric left over a great use for it is to sew on a pocket. A pocket is great for keeping items such as a pacifier, tissues, or even a little bit of cash if you use your baby sling on outings. I know I use mine often while grocery shopping and even shopping in the mall.

To make a baby sling with a pocket is an easy and simple extra step. First cut a rectangle of fabric to whatever size would be suitable to you. Lay the piece of fabric right side down on your ironing board. Fold the top edge of the pocket down about 1/2' and iron in place. Now stitch the top edge down about 1/4" from the edge. Next fold and iron the other three sides of the pocket about 1/4". Pin the pocket in place where you intend to sew it onto the sling. Sew it in place stitching as close the edges as you can get (1/8" or less). Viola! You've got a reversible baby pouch sling!

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