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Have you ever sewn a Mei Tai Chinese carrier or a wrap sling?
I am not a seamstress, but would love to be. My dh does sew, so he can help me.
I'm itching to try a Mei Tai Chinese style carrier and also a wrap sling. Both are supposed to be better for those w/back problems since they distribute the weight over the shoulders evenly. I get major shoulder pain from my pouches/ring slings if I wear them too much.
I can't find any directions on the net for making Mei Tais. Any ideas?
I have found directions for wrap slings. I'm thinking of trying to make one out of muslin (aka affordable). They are insanely expensive in the retail world given the simplicity of their design.
We make a lot of our own stuff around this house, so it just makes sense for me to try to make one of these. ......like I need yet another project.
Can anyone offer any pearls of wisdom? Where can I find suitable woven fabric for the wrap style? Diagonal weave is supposedly best, but I don't know where to find that kind? That's why dh suggested muslin for starters.
TIA, mamas.
(((((
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~Amy~
Cherishing my newest wee boy...Fionn Skye and homeschooling mama to Spencer (proud to be 9) and wee Lazlo (5)
Kayaking is my bliss. Strip-built kayak made by DH.
San Juan Islands - New Years 2007.
The Mei Tai is pretty easy to duplicate. You only need 2 yards of fabric -- and any woven will do. I've used basic quilters cotton and even upholstery fabric.
They are by far my favorite style of carrier of the ones I've tried. I make them for all my friends.
:::digging up pictures::::
Let me get back to you with some more info in a few minutes. B just woke up.
I was just tossing them up on my website for you. I find pictures are the easiest way to explain things. This is just my method. I'm sure there are 100 methods out there. Maybe someone with more formal knowlege of the Mei Tai will come along to offer more info.
I really like the look of that! Do you think it would be possible to add buckles in teh front and maybe back to make it a bit easier to put on? Or how hard is it to put on with no help and a squirmy 19mo?? I LOVE carrying dd in my pouch, but at 25lbs it's starting to put too much strain on my back/shoulder, and if I put her on my back I'm finding I'm hunching over to keep from feeling like she's going to fall out. I may have to try that tonight!
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Allison mama to:
DH (lol), Chrissy 15, Mikhail 12, Kiera 10, Kivett 8, Aislinn 6, Alannah 3, and fresh from the oven Kian Oliver-Bell 11/15/07
You definitely need help with the back carry, but the front carry could not be any easier. Much easier for me than a wrap or pouch for me.
It's hard to explain. I don't even put the baby down. I hold him to my chest. Then I drape the long straps over my shoulders and smooth the fabric across his back where it should go. Then I grab the straps and pull them around. Tie them under his bottom. Then pull the short straps under his thighs and tie them behind my back. It takes just a minute and the best part is that when he falls asleep I can get him out without disturbing him.
I am a Maya failure and this looked complex, but it really is very easy. Some people tie the straps behind their back first, then put the baby in the carrier, but I find that when B wants in his sling, he does NOT want to stop, go down, wait for me to tie straps, then get back up again. I love the way I can just grab it and never have to put him down.
Oh... about the buckles. I've tried and tried to come up with a better option than tying... but I came up blank. The straps are so infinitely adjustable. I even tried making markings on the sling so I could find out exactly where it ties and find some other way.. But in 5 wearings with 5 different types of clothing, the marks were all over and I couldn't figure out the best location. I thought about snaps, but I don't think they would hold.
Also, you use a lot less strap when you do the back carry, so I figured I would need 2 slings -- one for front and one for back.
I was thinking of an adjustable buckle, kinda like on restaraunt high chairs or grocery carts. That way I could buckle it and pull it tight, kwim? I've found with trying to tie slings (over the shoulder) my knot always seems to give a bit, and then I'm carrying baby lowere than I'd like. I though with a buckle even if it got looser, i could easily retighten it without having to undo the whole thing. I'll have to play with it tonight!
Maybe the type of fabric causes that to happen? I haven't had much problem with knots slipping, but I can see that it might if the fabric were slippery.
Do they make those buckles in a size that would accomodate fabric? I don't think webbing could be used because it has to go under the baby's legs and I think that might be a little harsh if it can't be fanned out wide. Ya know?
Maybe the webbing could have some soft of fabric sheath with elastic on both ends so that you could place it where it works best for whatever carry you're doing.
I love this style too, and have plans to make one similar to these: www.kozycarrier.com for our trip to Brazil. I like the fact that it has padding at the shoulders. The one I have does not, and I think that might be nice for wearing it for a long period of time.
I really found it quite easy to put her on my back by myself. And it is far more comfy than my expensive Kelty frame backpack. I like the instructions at www.equanimitybaby.com best.
Thanks so much for taking the time to scan this for me. I can't wait to read through it. I can't quite read it as is, so I'll try to fiddle with it (or call in dh for help).
Location: Driving an SUV powered by Biodiesel made from waste vegetable oil.
Posts: 2,836
Quote:
Originally posted by Lydiasmomma I love this style too, and have plans to make one similar to these: www.kozycarrier.com for our trip to Brazil. I like the fact that it has padding at the shoulders. The one I have does not, and I think that might be nice for wearing it for a long period of time.
I really found it quite easy to put her on my back by myself. And it is far more comfy than my expensive Kelty frame backpack. I like the instructions at www.equanimitybaby.com best.
Yep! Those are the EXACT two that I'm after right now. I'd love to trade for one or both of those, but am not sure anyone's got one right now. So, I may just make one!
Have you ever sewn a Mei Tai Chinese carrier or a wrap sling?
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