Best fabric for sling?

Meridith · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 02:48 PM

I'm making a very special sling for a very special friend for her first (very special) baby.

What fabric would be best? I cannot decide! Bubs will be a December baby, and mum wants something low-care, I want to make sure it is special too.

Suggestions?????

gentleness · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 02:52 PM

Are you making a ring sling? I've found linen to be super gorgeous for a summer ring sling, strong and yet lightweight and cool. You can just toss linen into the machine without a worry too.

Meridith · #3 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 02:57 PM

yes sorry! Ring sling...must go fix that (oh the joys of being a mod

)

Meridith · #4 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 02:59 PM

I don't know why I didn't think of linen. I have a gorgeous linin ring sling. Do you reckon the huge quilters speciality shops are worth a look in (some have linen or other ring-sling suitable fabrics...don't they??)? Spotlight is a bit tired.

sling_dad · #5 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 05:03 PM

I'd say:
- dupioni silk (if you *really* want it to be special

)
- hemp silk
- good quality linen (the thin, expensive kind

)
- woven wrap, including handwoven cotton
- bamboo/linen blend

Meridith · #6 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 07:10 PM

Would either of the silks be too hot for summer, Paulus? Would silk make the learning curve harder (a total sling beginner)? How much harder is cleaning a silk sling to other fabrics (cotton)?

**Susan** · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 08:25 PM

What a beautiful gift idea Meridith! No tips here sorry. Me and sewing - no good....

sling_dad · #8 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 08:43 PM

If you use one layer of dupioni, it should be quite thin and not warm. Hemp silk will be cooler (and softer) though, because of the hemp. But it's also more expensive.

Here's a good rundown of fabric types and their appropriateness as a sling: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/fabric.html

As long as you use appropriately sized rings (I'd recommend grippier Aluminum rings with smoother fabrics like silk) and not make the sling too wide so the fabric is easy to adjust through the rings, it shouldn't be any harder than a regular cotton sling. You can test the width & ring adjustment by using it a no-sew RS first before you start sewing.

Silk dupioni is machine washable, though it will shrink a bit and lose its luster when washed multiple times. Hemp silk should be machine washable no worries. HTH!

mammadyl · #9 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 08:50 PM

the one I made for ds was indian cotton lovely and light in summer and strong - well it carried a 20kg + toddler for 2 years so....

and yes, what a lovely idea M

emd · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 09:31 AM

I have a hand-dyed hemp silk sling. I put in a custom order for it when I was pg with #3 and wanted something very special for him. I justified it by saying that he'll be spending lots of time sleeping in the sling in nothing but a nappy this summer, and silk is good for their skin

I don't find it slippy in the rings at all.

It's machine washable too. I know this, because he's already wee'ed on it and puked on it and I've dropped food on it...