5.05.2010

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!! 

15 comments:

Lara said...

Cute! I love my Moby wrap but there is no putting it on quickly. When Ellie was little I would just tie it on and leave it on all day and take her in and out as needed. But it's plain black - not like the cute pattern you have!

Leah said...

I LOVE ringslings; I always keep one in the car as it's the easiest one to throw on quickly. I have a great wrap conversion ring sling which still happily holds my strapping 22 month old son...he fell asleep in it when I was busy in the kitchen on Saturday, we love it :)

Stephanie said...

Love it! I'm going to have to make myself one soon! Thanks for the tips - I thought it would be too complicated to make too, but you made it so much simpler!

Lauren said...

Thank you SO much for giving such an easy to follow tutorial!!! I am definitely going to make one for me and Tucker because I am all about some baby wearing!!! I love the fabric in yours - gorgeous!! You look so perfect with your homemade sling and your sweet baby boy! :P

Kristin said...

I love your sling! And I know what you mean about patterns being written in some other language....they intimidate me! That video was hilarious!

Amy said...

Thanks for sharing. Yours turned out so cute!
Blessings,
Amy

Cole Franke said...

I love it! You did such a great job. I wrote a little something about your lovely blog today.
http://lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com/2010/05/ive-got-crush.html

Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and Wildflower Creative said...

Thanks SO much for posting this tutorial! I have to make one...and soon!

Smiles,
Rachel

Makai said...

I was just telling my husband the other day that I have to get one of those when we have kids, but now I can make it! lol. Thank you for the tip! It's super adorable.

carissa said...

i was given an ergo and a moby recently... can't wait to try them out! i don't think anything could be easier to put on, though, than a ring sling! you rock - i can't believe you made this!!! how awesome. if you promise i could look as cute as you wearing my baby in a sling, maybe i will! : )

thank you for your sweet email!!! i really appreciate you taking the time to think of me! thank you for being willing to encourage! i totally wished i lived next door!

Alex said...

Oh you are so so talented! Unfortunately, the sewing gene isn't in me so I'll have to search out Etsy for one :)

Blessings!

Cynthia said...

This is such a wonderful idea...I would love to do this! Oh goodness, I have simply tried every sling (it seems) but the ring sling. It's time to open my horizons once more ;^)

Oh! I hopped over to your blog today from Letters from Cole. I'm so glad I did. I'm your newest follower!
Have a great rest of your week.

Mrs Anne said...

I am hoping with all my might to attempt at making one of these.

I love yours...

Thanks for the play by play instructions!

xo

Unknown said...

Way to go girl! I had someone who made one and gave it to me as a gift. I loved it! It worked so great for us too as we had three under the age of three as you do. ARen´t they wonderful!!!

You did a great job on it!

Dani Joy

Anonymous said...

LOVE my ring sling. Couldn't live without it.

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