DIY: Baby Sling/ Pillow

I wanted something to hold Jack in that was cute and functional and that could grow with him. I googled "Make your own baby sling" and a ton of stuff popped up. Although I am not the inventor of the sling idea I haven't seen any with a pillow option. I did not like any of the ones I saw online enough to follow their patterns. I also don't like to follow patterns so I just freehanded my own. I suggest if you really want to make one and need/want a pattern to follow google the same phrase and you will find plenty of free patterns to choose from. If you're comfortable without a pattern then come along!

I chose vintage red courduroy fabric from my grandmother. You will need 2-3 yards of a sturdy material (3 if you don't really measure like me), elastic for your pocket-if you want it or want a pocket, thread and any decorative notions you like.

Measure your torso and if you have a baby lay it out on the fabric. You will need 2 large panels that are the same size. Big enough to hold the baby. Don't forget extra for the seam allowance. I used pins to mark where I wanted to cut.

Next you will need straps for the top and bottom. You want them to be wide enough that they don't cut into you but thick enough to provide support. Use your own discretion. You will need to make them long enough to tie around your body. I made my top straps extra long because I wanted them to criss cross my back, loop around my waist and then tie in the back. You may want yours to tie in the front. I doubled the width that I wanted, turned the fabric inside out and sewed it together forming a tube. Then I turned each strap right side out and voila- thick straps. I sewed the straps to the inside torso panel on the wrong side of the fabric. The waist straps I sewed perpendicular to the bottom and the shoulder straps I sewed at an angle. I sewed the waist straps on first.  Then I tied them around my waist and held up the torso to get the angle that worked with my body for the shoulder straps. I pinned them and then sewed away. You have to really sew the straps down well. They will be holding up your kiddo!

If you want to put a pocket on the front do it now. Make it as big or as little as you want in whatever shape you want. I used iron on fabric letters to spell his name and vintage buttons for decorations. If you want elastic put that in also. Sew the pocket onto the front torso panel.

Sew the front torso panel onto the back panel and you're done! It was definitely worth the on and off 2 hrs it took to make it. I made dinner last night while nursing Jack!

Here is the fun part. When I made this (using vintage material and buttons from my Grandma) I wanted him to be able to have those things when we were done slinging it. So when he gets too big for it :( I will cut the straps off, make an opening, stuff it and sew it back up. Then he will have his very own pillow with a pocket on it. I can't wait!  So there ya go a 2in1 DIY.

Disclaimer: I made salad and would not recommend making something on the stove or that involved hot food. Be sensible and use good judgement. Please sew your straps down well and don't use fabric that is not sturdy enough to hold a baby. If you make your own please send me a pic so that I can put it up on my blog. Feel free to use my idea as I did not invent slings or sewing.  If you would like to link to my blog please send me a message. Thank you!