To make your own ring sling you will need to purchase:
1 3/4 - 2 1/2 yards of fabric
1 pair of sling rings
As for the length of fabric, it all depends on how long you want the "tail" of your ring sling to hang down, as well as how big of a person will be wearing the sling. For example, I am a small person and I like a short tail, so I usually only buy 2 yards of fabric. If you want a feel for how long you should buy, wrap the fabric around yourself with extra fabric for the tail.
As for the type of fabric, the absolute best is something that is 97% cotton, 3% spandex. The little bit of stretch is really nice. That said, I very rarely buy this because I mostly base my purchases on how cute the fabric is! The type of fabric I buy most often is 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend. You want a fabric that is 54/55 inches wide - but if you love something wider, get it and just cut it down to size. Also, once you've experimented, you can make a gorgeous, fancy sling out of duponai silk - but I wouldn't make that your first try.
As for the sling rings, I only purchase mine from www.SlingRings.com. These are great rings and made specifically for slings. You can buy all sorts of colors. I always purchase the aluminum rings. Medium size is good for a normal weight fabric. If you have a thicker fabric, I would purchase size Large.
That should be it! Watch the video below for the how-to. If you have questions, PLEASE post them. This seems clear to me, but may be mud for someone else.
Good luck!
40 comments:
Okay, I have a question...if you have fabric that isn't wide enough, can you cut it down and just use it as one layer and hem the edges? I know that slings on other sites are made with one layer, but the rings are sewn in...not sure if that makes a difference or not? Thanks!
You can certainly do that. The downside would be that you would have a "wrong" side of the fabric showing. If you don't care about that, then it's fine - you shouldn't have a problem with it staying on the rings. I would recommend buying the size Small rings if you are only going to have one layer.
Is there anywhere locally to get the aluminum rings without having to order them online?
I don't believe these can be purchased in a store. Some fabric stores (ie Joanns, Hancock) sell craft rings, but they are NOT sufficient for carrying a baby. It would be really nice to have a local source, but I haven't come across one yet.
I'm so excited to find your instructions & videos! It looks SUPER easy and fun. Can't wait to find some cute fabric and make something. I just had a baby and the slings I have don't fit as well as I wish they did. Thanks for taking the time to make these instructions;-)
Do you ever sew in your rings, or do you just do the no-sew version? I've never made a double layer ring sling with only one fabric before. It looks really easy!
I just bought some fabric at Joann's. I looked through the 54"/55" stuff and it was all upholstery and curtain fabric so I bought a stretch sateen fabric, 48" wide. Is this ok? I guess that would mean each side is 24" wide versus about 27" wide.
Amanda,
Stretch sateen is my favorite fabric for making slings! It will definitely work and I think you will be really pleased with the results.
Leah
made one of these too!
Hi, my fabric is only 45" wide, but I am short and very thin when not pregnant...Will it still work? Or could I just hem the edges and thread the rings, and just use the wrong side for where the baby will sit? I'm only just getting into the babywearing thing, and have only very basic sewing ability, and I am having trouble finding a pattern I can follow, lol.
And I bought some rings at Lowes...It says they have a 200 lb weight limit....
Courtney,
Sorry for the delay in response. I think for a ring sling your fabric should be fine. I wouldn't recommend that width for a pouch sling, but a ring sling is fine because the fabric is spread out across baby's bottom and back.
Also, I'm really interested in the rings you bought at Lowe's. Can you tell me more?
Leah
Awesome tutorial! Thanks! I gave you a shout-out on our Fantastic Friday!
http://quirkymomma.com/2010/fantastic-friday-babies
Do you sew in your rings? Or just thread them in like your video? If not, can you sew them in? Is that better/worse?
Thanks!
Kelly,
Most ring slings have the rings sewn in. That holds them super securely into place. The reason I have made these instructions this way is for people who would like to own one pair of rings but multiple slings. If you search around on the internet you will find other instructions for how to sew in your rings. Good luck!
Leah
Following up Courtney and someone else I know who bought their rings at Lowe's, you can get the rings at the chain & ropes/child safety/doors aisle there. They have different diameters to choose from 1"-3". The rings I bought were similar to Courtney's and has a 200 lb weight limit. They only cost 1.18 each at my store, but the prices range from different regions.
I love your blogs! I am new to all of this and I do have a question, If I get fabric that is 45 inches wide and hem the edges will that be enough for a ring sling or should I buy 5 yards and sew them together (hamburger way) to make it stronger? I was looking at a cotton calico print that I love and I am just worried it won't be strong enough.
Sorry I have to correct my last comment the fabric is 44" wide.
Andrea,
You will be just fine with the 44" fabric - that's what I use. Good luck!
Leah
Thanks Leah,
So I just buy 2 1/2 yards then fold in half and sew? Thanks so much, sorry to sound like a dummy!
Andrea,
That's really it! It's super easy. Then you just have to decide whether you are going to sew your rings secure or thread the sling without sewing in the rings. Good luck!
Leah
Thank you everyone for responding to this post. I am highly interested in making my sling, but didn't want to buy the rings online (impatient). I will be headed to Lowes or Home Depot today to find the rings. I just cant imagine spending $50 for a simple concept
humplys 22fWhat would be a good size of ring if I were making a mesh sling to swim with? Thanks,
Mistie
Mistie,
I would probavly go with small rings with mesh because the fabric will scrunch together more compactly than a cotton/spandex fabric.
Good luck!
Leah
I would not suggest using calico for your sling, unless perhaps you are doubling it. I like Jan Andrea's sling site. She has a pretty complete list of fabrics. I use the batik cottons, and have not had any trouble with them, and dupioni silk is my favorite. The batiks are stronger than calico prints, though.
It is summer a hot summer so I was thinking about making a sling out of pure linen so my baby can stay cool. Have you ever used linen? What did you think?
Rochelle,
I have not tried linen for a ring sling. Not sure how it would turn out. I think an interesting fabric would be the kind of fabric that football jerseys a made out of...you know, with the little holes in it and a bit of stretch? Good luck to you!
Leah
i bought a 99% cotton 1% poly jean like fabric. its on the heavier side. i read u cut the fabric into 27 inch width. will that be ok for a single layer sling? also torn on weather i should use a med or large ring size. i heard large is easier to adjust
Cool video - thanks for showing us how to make baby slings that will work! :]
-Jackie
I've read that the "tack" rings you get at home improvement stores and farm suppliers can be used. They are generally 2.5" rings. I also don't like to wait for things to come in the mail...so if the tack rings will hold a 1000 lb horse, I figure they'll hold my 8 pound baby :) Linen slides for me, so I sew my rings in, then when I wrap them, I slip through the rings, adjust, then bring the tail back around under the ring and tie in a loose knot. It just keeps me from feeling like I'm going to drop the baby.
Use small rings. 2in - 2.5in for mesh and other very lightweight material such as for swimming. This is the BEST place to order rings from as they are made for ring slings. They are also super cheap. No rings for more than 4 dollars. Ship in 1-3 business days. Also, all rings are made in the U.S.
http://www.slingrings.com/products.php
I don't sew in my rings as I have never been taught how to sew and can make a ring sling without sewing in all of 5-10 minutes.
Does the fabric have to be 54inches? I thought upholstery & curtain fabric came in that measurement.
Hi Leah..
I have a question..Is it ok if I take Linen for make this ring sling? And what kind of yarn to sew?
nice post . Thanks for it
I think you've left out a lot of really important info, like what types of fabric are safe to use and why. Regular quilting cotton may be pretty, but should NOT be used as a single layer sling, it's just too thin and flimsy. Cotton osnaburg, twill weave, or bottomweight linen are all great fabric options for slings. If you're using the thin pretty printed quilting cotton, you have to use 2 layers.
The great thing about osnaburg and linen is there is no wrong side, so you can make a single layer sling and use the pretty printed cotton to make a pocket or other accent on the tail of the sling.
Hi!! I'm very excited to make my own ring sling. I'm looking online at JoAnn Fabrics. Their linen selection is pretty limited, they do have a lot of upholstery/decorating fabric with patterns I like that say 100% cotton. Are they too thick? I'm wondering if there is a type of fabric I should google to get, or just linen? Not 100% cotton like a quilting fabric thought, right? Thank you!!
I have 2 pieces of woven fabric I picked up when I was in Morocco. Th one is 71"x24" and the other one is 82"x30". I'm wondering if I can use either of these to make a ring sling.
I'm wondering of I can use a fabric that doesn't stretch at all? Will it be to difficult to adjust baby? I purchased my rings but can't figure out if my fabric should be stretchy, not stretchy at all or just a bit. And does Walmart fabric make the cut for a sling? Or should I head to Joann's? I know, a lot of questions ��
Hi Leah! My name is Rebecca and below is a link to the material which I would like to have a ring sling made of. I contacted a woman through FB who makes them to make a little extra money. In the beginning our contact with one another was very prompt. However, over the last week and a half she has not responded to any of my messages. The last I heard from her was that the company shorted her a yard of my fabric and that she was going to reorder and message me as soon as the new order shipped and arrived. I have yet to hear from her! I recently tried to get in touch with her again and when I did; I found out through FB that she had actually had enough of the material I ordered to make 2 ring slings and that she had sold them to other people! My question is, if I purchase the material and the rings and mail them to you; would you be willing to make the sling for me? I am more than happy to work something out payment wise to pay you for your services. I just have NO sewing abilities whatsoever and I want to be sure that what I am using and doing is going to be safe for my little Elliott! If you would be willing to help me out, you can email me at guntergang626@hotmail.com and we can discuss this in more detail that way. I just love with these two prints and was REALLY excited to have them put together into a ring sling. Thank you in advance for your time, understanding and consideration!!! Rebecca
https://www.fabric.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx
just in case you have a problem with the above link, I am posting them individually as well...
https://www.fabric.com/buy/0342778/michael-miller-its-a-boy-thing-monster-mash-navy
https://www.fabric.com/buy/0306170/monster-mash-zig-zag-red
Hi Leah! My name is Rebecca and below is a link to the material which I would like to have a ring sling made of. I contacted a woman through FB who makes them to make a little extra money. In the beginning our contact with one another was very prompt. However, over the last week and a half she has not responded to any of my messages. The last I heard from her was that the company shorted her a yard of my fabric and that she was going to reorder and message me as soon as the new order shipped and arrived. I have yet to hear from her! I recently tried to get in touch with her again and when I did; I found out through FB that she had actually had enough of the material I ordered to make 2 ring slings and that she had sold them to other people! My question is, if I purchase the material and the rings and mail them to you; would you be willing to make the sling for me? I am more than happy to work something out payment wise to pay you for your services. I just have NO sewing abilities whatsoever and I want to be sure that what I am using and doing is going to be safe for my little Elliott! If you would be willing to help me out, you can email me at guntergang626@hotmail.com and we can discuss this in more detail that way. I just love with these two prints and was REALLY excited to have them put together into a ring sling. Thank you in advance for your time, understanding and consideration!!! Rebecca
https://www.fabric.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx
just in case you have a problem with the above link, I am posting them individually as well...
https://www.fabric.com/buy/0342778/michael-miller-its-a-boy-thing-monster-mash-navy
https://www.fabric.com/buy/0306170/monster-mash-zig-zag-red
I purchased a sateen 97% cotton and 3% spandex for the sling. It seems very heavy and thick when folded over. I could only get 2" rings at Lowes. Is this going to work? I hate to waste the material, but don't want to cut it and have the seams showing .. anybody got any ideas?
Thanks
Debbie in Florida
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