Make your Own Pouch Sling
| · | Printable instructions showing how to make a contoured, padded, (reversible) pouch sling. Sewing level: Easy/Beginner. |
| · | Printable guide with measuring instructions and many babywearing positions to get you started using your pouch sling. |
| · | By using these free instructions on-line, you agree to not hold Sweet Things Baby Slings, LLC. or Leah Walthery liable for any accidents or damage you, your family or your property may experience with relation to your pouch sling. You also agree not to sell or distribute these instructions for profit. I offer these instructions because I want to encourage good babywearing! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. Also, be sure to thoroughly investigate my links section on this website; it's loaded with truely useful information and the answer to your question may easily be found there. -Leah |
Copyright 2006: Sweet Things Baby Slings, LLC.
What type of sling can be made from these instructions?
What other information is shared?
*These instructions are to make a contoured, padded, potentially reversible pouch sling. Instructions on how to measure for the right pouch size and an introduction to pouch babywearing positions are also included. The instructions can be easily altered to make a straight-edge pouch or one without padding.
How long does it take for a person to sew a DIY pouch sling & how hard is it to make one?
It really depends on how experienced your are with sewing. An experienced person with a good home sewing machine can make a pouch, from cutting the fabric to trimming threads when finished, in 45 minutes or so. If your sewing experience amounts to what you learned in Home Ec in high school, it'll take you more time, but it is still easy.
What fabric will I need?
Fabric must be prewashed, dried and ironed. You will need two strips of fabric, ~22.5" wide by 1 3/4 - 2 yards long. This should be enough fabric to make a pouch for persons wearing ladies shirt sizes XS-XL, as well as some XXL (depending on your measurement,) or for a pouch for a person measuring 30" or less. Most calico & flannel is found in 45" width; if you buy your fabric in 2 yard lengths, you can split the width and use it in two pouches, or, in the case of calico, a 2 yard piece can often be doubled up to make one pouch. Do not skimp on the quality of the fabric you use. See these discussions of fabric for more info: STBS fabric guide and SPB fabric guide.
What other information is shared?
*These instructions are to make a contoured, padded, potentially reversible pouch sling. Instructions on how to measure for the right pouch size and an introduction to pouch babywearing positions are also included. The instructions can be easily altered to make a straight-edge pouch or one without padding.
How long does it take for a person to sew a DIY pouch sling & how hard is it to make one?
It really depends on how experienced your are with sewing. An experienced person with a good home sewing machine can make a pouch, from cutting the fabric to trimming threads when finished, in 45 minutes or so. If your sewing experience amounts to what you learned in Home Ec in high school, it'll take you more time, but it is still easy.
What fabric will I need?
Fabric must be prewashed, dried and ironed. You will need two strips of fabric, ~22.5" wide by 1 3/4 - 2 yards long. This should be enough fabric to make a pouch for persons wearing ladies shirt sizes XS-XL, as well as some XXL (depending on your measurement,) or for a pouch for a person measuring 30" or less. Most calico & flannel is found in 45" width; if you buy your fabric in 2 yard lengths, you can split the width and use it in two pouches, or, in the case of calico, a 2 yard piece can often be doubled up to make one pouch. Do not skimp on the quality of the fabric you use. See these discussions of fabric for more info: STBS fabric guide and SPB fabric guide.
FAQ's
What about thread & needles?
Many serious home-sewers prefer to use higher quality thread such as Guttermans's. In some areas of the country (such as where I live) this type of thread is not available unless you order on-line. Many people use Coats & Clark Dual Duty Plus with great success. It can be found at Wal-Mart or Jo Ann Fabrics.
Needles: Schmetz are best, but Singer will work. For sewing with super pouch fabrics, I highly recommend using a needle made for jeans or heavyweight wovens.
What about sewing machines?
The curved seam of the pouch is very thick to sew through. Some lower-end, newer home sewing machines just plain might not make it happen without serious effort.....manually raise and lower the needle if you have to.
If you know someone who owns a vintage machine (one that is mostly made of metal) you can try that. I routinely use a 1950's era Morse machine that chugs though the pouch seam sewing very reliably....they have stronger motors than many modern machines and just plain more "umph."
Can I use the instructions to sew a pouch that has traditional straight edges (not contoured)?
Yes. In fact, they're easier to sew than contoured pouches. When you cut out your fabric, ommitt the contour and cut a straight line, parallel to the long edges, from the seat curve.
Can I sew the pouch with a single layer of fabric?
Yes and no. If you are using a strong fabric with a diagonal weave (like most twills, denims and linens) or a polyester fleece, then you can use one layer of fabric. Do not expect the pouch to be as supportive as it would be if it had two layers.
A pouch made of a single layer of any of quilting cotton, broadcloth, muslin, batik, flannel, hanky-weight linen or weavers cloth, in my opinion, is not safe.
I took my measurement, but I want to double-check it against your STBS pouch sizing chart.
Here is what you need to look at: measurement in inches as it relates to women's shirt sizes.
Help! I made my pouch and it's the wrong size!
If it's too small, there's not much you can do about. Ugly but true. You may consider added fabric at the shoulder, but the necessary strong seam isn't very comfortable to wear because it's bulky.
If the pouch is too large, then you have two options:
1. Rip out the curved seam, trim off the the weakened material, and sew to the new measurement. This only works if your pouch was pretty darn large....it'll take a few inches of material to make the new seat seam.
2. Use these instructions to take the pouch in at the shoulder.
Many serious home-sewers prefer to use higher quality thread such as Guttermans's. In some areas of the country (such as where I live) this type of thread is not available unless you order on-line. Many people use Coats & Clark Dual Duty Plus with great success. It can be found at Wal-Mart or Jo Ann Fabrics.
Needles: Schmetz are best, but Singer will work. For sewing with super pouch fabrics, I highly recommend using a needle made for jeans or heavyweight wovens.
What about sewing machines?
The curved seam of the pouch is very thick to sew through. Some lower-end, newer home sewing machines just plain might not make it happen without serious effort.....manually raise and lower the needle if you have to.
If you know someone who owns a vintage machine (one that is mostly made of metal) you can try that. I routinely use a 1950's era Morse machine that chugs though the pouch seam sewing very reliably....they have stronger motors than many modern machines and just plain more "umph."
Can I use the instructions to sew a pouch that has traditional straight edges (not contoured)?
Yes. In fact, they're easier to sew than contoured pouches. When you cut out your fabric, ommitt the contour and cut a straight line, parallel to the long edges, from the seat curve.
Can I sew the pouch with a single layer of fabric?
Yes and no. If you are using a strong fabric with a diagonal weave (like most twills, denims and linens) or a polyester fleece, then you can use one layer of fabric. Do not expect the pouch to be as supportive as it would be if it had two layers.
A pouch made of a single layer of any of quilting cotton, broadcloth, muslin, batik, flannel, hanky-weight linen or weavers cloth, in my opinion, is not safe.
I took my measurement, but I want to double-check it against your STBS pouch sizing chart.
Here is what you need to look at: measurement in inches as it relates to women's shirt sizes.
Help! I made my pouch and it's the wrong size!
If it's too small, there's not much you can do about. Ugly but true. You may consider added fabric at the shoulder, but the necessary strong seam isn't very comfortable to wear because it's bulky.
If the pouch is too large, then you have two options:
1. Rip out the curved seam, trim off the the weakened material, and sew to the new measurement. This only works if your pouch was pretty darn large....it'll take a few inches of material to make the new seat seam.
2. Use these instructions to take the pouch in at the shoulder.
What fabric combinations can I use and what shouldn't I use?
The fabric you choose depends partly on what you need out of your pouch.
Durability
Our most durable fabrics are those used for the outer layer the super pouches. This group includes twill, denim, chambray and softened linen. Combine these fabrics with a lightweight or flannel.
Small Dimensions & Minimal Bulk
Pouches made of two lightweight materials fold up incredibly small and weigh very little. A linen blend with a lightweight fabric also makes a more demure sling. Flannel is a bit bulkier than calico, so adding it to a pouch will make the pouch thicker. The heaviest/bulkiest pouch you can make from our fabric selection is a twill combined with a flannel. Some people prefer a more substantial pouch for carrying toddlers because the sling is quite supportive.
Cool for the summer
First off, don't choose black!
A pouch made from two lightweight fabrics is quite comfortable for summer wear. So is a pouch made from softened linen.
Warm for the winter
A single layer fleece pouch.
A twill or linen blend pouch combined with flannel.
What you don't want to do is:
Combine two flannels, unless they are both the highest quality quilter's flannel. It will make a very warm pouch that's sort-of grippy against your clothes.
Combine two twill fabrics. The pouch will be very bulky and hot.
Double up fleece.....you'd feel smothered.
Sew before pre-washing and drying your fabric.
The fabric you choose depends partly on what you need out of your pouch.
Durability
Our most durable fabrics are those used for the outer layer the super pouches. This group includes twill, denim, chambray and softened linen. Combine these fabrics with a lightweight or flannel.
Small Dimensions & Minimal Bulk
Pouches made of two lightweight materials fold up incredibly small and weigh very little. A linen blend with a lightweight fabric also makes a more demure sling. Flannel is a bit bulkier than calico, so adding it to a pouch will make the pouch thicker. The heaviest/bulkiest pouch you can make from our fabric selection is a twill combined with a flannel. Some people prefer a more substantial pouch for carrying toddlers because the sling is quite supportive.
Cool for the summer
First off, don't choose black!
A pouch made from two lightweight fabrics is quite comfortable for summer wear. So is a pouch made from softened linen.
Warm for the winter
A single layer fleece pouch.
A twill or linen blend pouch combined with flannel.
What you don't want to do is:
Combine two flannels, unless they are both the highest quality quilter's flannel. It will make a very warm pouch that's sort-of grippy against your clothes.
Combine two twill fabrics. The pouch will be very bulky and hot.
Double up fleece.....you'd feel smothered.
Sew before pre-washing and drying your fabric.
I want to make a pouch sling for a child.
For a child's sling, I recommend measuring a shirt that fits the child (it's easier than measuring a wiggly, squirming kiddo). If you follow the instructions here at STBS, you may choose to make the pouch seat deeper to hold plush animal bottoms and assorted odds and ends. If you make the sling long, the child will have some room to grow.
For a child's sling, I recommend measuring a shirt that fits the child (it's easier than measuring a wiggly, squirming kiddo). If you follow the instructions here at STBS, you may choose to make the pouch seat deeper to hold plush animal bottoms and assorted odds and ends. If you make the sling long, the child will have some room to grow.