Learn how to make a simple pouch sling baby carrier. This style is great for new babies through toddlers!
I’m not shy about my love for baby carriers. I used my homemade Moby style baby carrier the most with Teddy. But before him I watched my niece for hours and hours and she lived in this type of pouch sling.
It is one of my favorite baby carriers to give to new moms. And I found them to be a total life saver when trying to figure out how to work with a new baby! They are just fantastic for people with little ones to keep close while also giving you the freedom to get things done. I’ve spent many hours with my niece in a pouch sling working, sewing, shopping and more.
My friends and I had our monthly craft day this past weekend and I helped two of them make their own slings. I figured I should share the how to’s with you all since they are so easy, cheap and of course useful (plus that way next time I want to make someone one it’s all written up and I don’t have to think as hard haha).
What You Need to Make a Sling Carrier
- 2 pieces of woven (non-stretchy) fabric 56 x 22(ish) inches (for people who wear size small to medium shirts)
If you buy two yards of each fabric or you’ll have enough to make two carriers. Or if you want the outside and inside to be the same two yards of one fabric will do. Or you can do what my friends did and pick up 2 one yard pieces of two different fabrics then cut the fabric in half and sew the ends together to get the length.
I always do it 56 by half the width of my fabric and since I like to use quilting cottons that usually is 56 x 22 inches (you want the width be between 20 and 22 inches).
This measurement should work for those of you who normally wear a small or medium size shirt. My friends and I are different heights and sizes but all wear shirts that are small or medium and the 56 inches worked for all three of us.
If you want to customize the sling to yourself check out this tutorial. It will tell you have to measure yourself to get the right proportions.
How to Sew a Pouch Sling
- Get your 2 pieces ready. Cut to size/sew if necessary.
- With right sides together sew the both long edges of your fabric together.
- Right side out and iron.
- Fold in half lengthwise then in half again widthwise and cut a curve in your sling as shown above. It should be from the folded edge to about 2 inches in on the open edge.
- Unfold and then refold width wise.
- Sew the curved edge to make a tube.
- Then make a french seam by folding the fabric back on itself, sewing so the raw edge of the original seam is enclosed. You will be left with a flap. If you are unfamiliar with french seams this post might help you picture what I mean.
- Sew the flap down.
You can use this type of sling with a cradle carry for little babies but I am a fan of it for kiddos that have neck control and like sitting up in a hip carry position.
There are other ways to use them just search with the term pouch sling on Youtube or the web and you should find a bunch of instructions. I like the modmumslings ones on Youtube.
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Amber Liddle says
I thought about this as I was making the cowl–they are basically the same thing in different sizes :) I LOVED our pouch sling for the hip carry for my daughter, but my son is a danger seeker who arches his back and come thisclose to falling out all the time…
Kelly @ Live.Laugh.Rowe says
Hi Marissa!
Thank you so very much for participating in the blog hop! Wishing you much success in your bloggy endeavors. Already following :)
Kelly
http://www.livelaughrowe.com
Jennifer M. says
Just so you know, they’re only closing GFC on non-Blogger sites: http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/22/google-announces-plans-to-shutter-knol-friend-connect-and-more/
marissa says
Amber danger seeker, I love it!
Jennifer that’s the official announcement but there are lots of rumors suggesting that they will eventually get rid of it on blogger as well especially as that article explains they won’t be supporting it anymore. So just to be on the safe side since from googles behavior it looks like they are trying to scoop everything up into google plus eventually I want to start preparing now instead of have little warning later (plus linky followers is portable if I ever want to change blog hosts)
MommyTanya says
Baby M looks like he LOVES it!
Kristen Turner says
Thanks for the tutorial!
Sarah says
What a fun project! I didn’t discover hip slings until the third baby! Come share at my party! http://www.dwellonjoy.com/2012/02/dwell-on-fridays-five.html
Tiffanie says
Cute carriers! Cute photos too!
Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says
I SO could have used one of these with my boys! With the next baby I’m makin one ;) Thanks for sharing :)
Serendipity and Spice says
These are great! Logan wants to be held all the time! Thanks for linking up to Manic Monday!
Melissa
Kathryn Pepper says
This would make an AWESOME baby shower gift! Thanks for linking up to Cutsey Monday! I always look forward to seeing what you’ve been up to :)
XO! Kathryn
destinationcraft.blogspot.com
4you-withlove says
I used a baby sling just like this when my guys were tiny. It was awesome…they would just rock to sleep. Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial!
Marilyn
Tales of a Trophy WIfe says
Love the gray and yellow.
Lisa says
I feel like I’m missing out on the whole baby wearing thing. How long can you carry them around in this? Is there a weight where it gets to be too much for you?
Gen says
Love this Marissa! Thanks for the easy tutorial. I’m going to attempt this no later than this weekend for BB#2 on the way! Thanks again. I’m your newest follower!
Come by my blog to visit: http://cabinfeveredgem.blogspot.com
Gen
marissa says
Lisa,
I used mine until my niece preferred walking to being held and then after that every once in a while but I did through her in last year when she was 3 after she wacked herself and it was tight but it wasn’t “too heavy” for me to handle and I found it much more preferable than carrying her. I think I used it with my niece until 18 m or later although I got the most use probably from 4 months to a year ish.
I’m curious how long others use them.
Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – you were featured today!!
–Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com
Shannon @ Cozy Home Scenes And Cozy Home Kitchen says
I don’t have a baby nor know anyone with a child in the age range to need one. However, I know this tutorial will be very useful to moms and other familie members of young children. Thanks for sharing your tutorial on Your Cozy Home Party.
Samantha says
I am pinning this one for my sister! Thanks for sharing!
:) Samantha @ Cowgirl Up!
Betsy Pool says
This looks like another great beginning sewing project! I’m excited to add it to my list. I’ll be pinning this.
Thanks for linking up to the Take it on Tuesday blog hop!
Christine says
Thanks for linking up at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality linky party! :)
Christine
xoxo
Kadie says
This is a great tutorial! I am really excited to make one now. I bought a sling once and it was just weird. But if I could make it the way I want it I think it would be better. These would also make great baby shower gifts. I am pinning this so I can come back. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.
AmieAnn says
These are awesome.. and I just love stretchy baby carriers.. I just about wore mine out with my little lovies and then passed them on! This is such a great idea.. and if I ever have another .. I know what I’m making! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink hippo Party.. can’t wait to see what you share next!
Lisa ~ The SweetTalk Shop says
This is another reason I need to learn to sew. What a great gift these would be to give to the new parents to be. Great tutorial when I learn to sew. Thanks for Linking up over at SweetTalkin’ Sunday!
Anne @ Domesblissity says
Marissa, this is a great idea. Wish I knew about when my two were babies. Thanks for linking up at Thriving on Thursdays. The linky party starts in just over 12 hours. Would love to see what you’ve been up to this week.
Anne @ Domesblissity
FineArtPainting says
GREAT SLING. Beautiful. So helpful, isn’t it?!! You look styling!!
Thank you for linking it up at http://www.finecraftguild.com/party/ and for linking back to it.
Rose
Mindie Hilton says
Featuring at Bacon Time this week :)
Kadie says
Hello again, wanted to let you know I am featuring you at our party tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing with us.
http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com/