ring slingin' tutorial

I love my ring sling.  It's easy.  Easy to wear, easy to put on, and especially easy to adjust.  I tried probably four different types of baby carriers and slings before I decided to make this one.  Nothing was really working for my little man and I.  Either he was uncomfortable or I was.  I knew I had to find something, though, because our dear little Legend is still struggling with tummy issues and isn't sleeping much.  It needed to be a sling I could throw on in a hurry--because my little people are busy.

I looked up instructions online, but sewing instructions must be written in a different language, or something, because I was so lost.  I finally realized that it wasn't as complicated to make as it sounded.  Huge sigh of relief.  

Here's how I made my ring sling:

#1.  I ordered my rings from slingrings.com because they are made with high quality aluminum and are tested for safety.

#2.  I chose a cotton blend fabric that was soft and breathable and I used a full two yards to make my sling.  I doubled the fabric to make the sling stronger.  (The fabric I used actually came from a missionary to India)

#3.  Next, I cut my fabric in half lengthwise so that I now had two pieces of fabric that were each 72 inches long and about 22 inches wide. 

#4.  I laid one long piece of my fabric down with the right side up.  Then I matched my other piece to it, making sure the right sides were facing each other.  I pinned them in place.

#5.  I then sewed three sides together like a pillow case, leaving one short side open.  I pulled the inside out through the open side and pressed the edges.  Now I had one long piece of doubled fabric.

#6.  For the next step, I folded the unfinished short edge of the sling down 1/4 inch and pressed that fold.  Then I folded it over again 2 inches and pressed that fold as well.  

#7.  I drew a line with a sewing pen (tailor's chalk is even better) right at the edge of my pressed two inch fold.

#8.  Next, I placed both rings on this short edge--right at the two inch fold and made sure the fabric of the sling was looped over them.  I matched my 1/4 inch folded edge to the line I had drawn with the pen and pinned it in place.

#9.  Finally, I sewed along this edge 4 to 5 times for reinforcement and for durability.

#10.  Now the sling was finished and all I had to do was loop the free end through both rings and then pull it over one ring and under the other.  Ta-dah!  Now all that it needed was a baby and some adjusting.  There are a million youtube videos on how to wear these things, so no worries there.

Speaking of youtube videos on slings, have you seen this one?  Hillarious!!