Nursing Classics #202, the very best baby sling ever, has been a very popular pattern. This unique design allows you to adjust each side of the
sling individually for perfect support and perfect fit.. Over the years, we have received a lot of feedback about this pattern. We would like to
share ideas with you on how to add your own creative touches to this pattern. The Very Best Baby Sling Ever is a great accessory to your
wardrobe and a tool to help you effectively mother your baby.

This NC#202 sling is fashioned with padded edges and offers Tessie help in holding up Justin's weight. This sling is just perfect when your toddler wants to be carried and your arms get tired! We used a cotton blend fabric for this sling with 2" white nylon rings.

Most recently we have had moms asking about how to “upscale the sling” with fancy fabrics and accessories. Some moms have written about adding beaded fringe and other decorative touches. We have a few suggestions about how to decorate your sling in creative ways.

1. You can make the sling out of any fabric that will securely hold your baby.

When using formal fabrics, we suggest that you use lighter weight batting or omit it altogether. We have more suggestions on how to use batting at the end of this article.

Satins may tend to be more “slippery”, so while they are pretty, they may not be as practical. You would need to be careful with your baby and be sure they are seating securely in the sling. This type of fabric would make a beautiful matching sling for a wedding or a formal occasion. We recommend 2” metal or nylon rings.

Rayon is lovely and provides a very pretty “draped” tail. This type of fabric is so soft and lightweight. It is perfect for summer. We recommend 2” metal or nylon rings for rayon fabrics.

Cotton/Polyester Blends or 100% cotton fabrics have been our old standby fabrics since we developed the sling. These lightweight quilt type fabrics are washable, comfortable and longwearing. We usually add quilt batting to these slings as directed in the pattern. We suggest using 2” metal or nylon rings with this type of fabric.

Polar Fleece is a wonderful fabric for a baby sling. It is perfect for cold weather and is easy to sew. For this type of sling, you may need a shorter length since the sling itself will have a bit more stretch to it. I would suggest omitting the batting if using a heavy weight polar fleece. For a very lightweight fleece, you can sew as directed in the sewing
guide. Use larger rings... 2 1/2” metal or 2 3/4” nylon rings for fleece fabrics. The larger size rings will be easier to adjust.

Denim and Flannel are nice fabrics for winter slings. We had one mom sew a lightweight denim sling lined with second layer of flannel. This required some slight modification of the pattern and LARGE rings. The 2” rings will just not be big enough if you are using heavy weight or lined
fabrics.

We try to stock a good variety of rings. You can also purchase rings locally in a hardware store or from a Tack store that specialized in hardware used for handling livestock.

2. You can add any type of embellishment as long as it is safe for your baby.

Some moms have written us with the idea of using ornamental beaded fringe along the edge of the sling. This could be such an elegant accent and would be very pretty. Our biggest concern is that a baby could reach down, grab a bead, and break the beading. The trims we have used are easily broken and the beads get loose. We do not recommend using this type of trim in close proximity to your baby because it can be a choking hazard.

Be creative in your sewing so that making your sling becomes an adventure instead of just another project to finish.

3. The Quilt batting in the edges of the sling is optional and you can adjust the type of batting used to get the results you desire.

Mary Lillico cuddles Sheridan in a baby sling fashioned from Nursing Classics #202. This sling was made from a mid weight sage green textured rayon fabric. This particular sling is made with 2-inch metal rings and without any padding on the edges or the shoulder pad. The sage green solid fabric coordinates well with many elements of Mary's wardrobe. Mary is modeling an Ivory Satin Nursing Top fashioned from NC# 209.

This type of batting is available in the Intermountain West, but many of you have struggled to find it in your local area. If you cannot find 1” thick batting in a store, you can use bonded batting that is thinner and use multiple layers for the same result. A bonded batt is made by piercing multiple layers of polyester fibers with heating needles to “fuse” the
fibers together while allowing it to remain puffy and soft. A bonded batt will hold together while washing and won’t separate into little pieces. A bonded batt is a bit easier to use in the sling application, but isn’t absolutely necessary.

Regular quilt batts are softer than bonded batts and the fibers will easily separate. You can use this type of batting, but you will need to make sure you stitch the edges securely to contain the fibers and also machine quilt the edges to keep the fibers in place. The directions for this are included in the sewing guide.

If you want a sling with a more sleek line to it, you can use a thinner batting or omit the batting altogether. The sling will still work! It will not be as bulky and it will not have padded edges but as long as you make the choice, you can decide what level of batting words best of you. We recommend omitting the batting for swim slings. If you live in an
extremely hot climate, you may also wish to omit the batting so the sling is not so hot to wear.

4. Make several slings and other fun accessories to coordinate with your wardrobe.

Mariah is carrying an unlined tapestry bag with beaded trim fashioned from NC#202. This bag uses 7/8 yard of 58/60" tapestry fabric and 1 yard of beaded trim for the upper edge.

Don’t forget the other accessories that are included in Nursing Classics #202. There is a great pattern for a diaper bag, a water bottle carrier and a fanny pack too! Last year we started sewing designer bags from tapestry fabrics. These bags are perfect for carrying to church or anywhere. I have made several for myself and use them constantly. I
added beaded fringe around the upper edge and gave these gorgeous bags to my family for Christmas gifts. This was my first adventure in using beaded trim. It is pretty, but the beaded trim is not very sturdy and it has not held up well. It takes one yard of beading to accent the diaper bag. It is great if you want a fancy look, but other types of trims are more suitable for use around a baby. You can coordinate these accessories to match your sling and diaper bag. They are easy to sew and you can make them from the scraps that are leftover from sewing your sling. They make great gift items and are a super sewing project for young girls and 4-H classes.

5. Have success with your baby sling by having a positive attitude and by adapting the use of your sling to match your parenting style.

It has been interesting over the years to observe the anxiety level of new moms as they adjust to using a baby sling. It fascinates me that some moms absolutely adore the baby sling and then some moms just cannot ever get the hang of it. I would like to do a study sometime and report the findings in this newsletter!

I have decided that moms who love the baby sling have a different type of personality than the moms that don’t. Wearing your baby is not always easy. It requires a lot of sacrifice and maturity. It doesn’t always make sense either, so if wearing your baby doesn’t work for you, don’t worry about that. Use the sling in the ways that work best for you.

It seems that for many, carrying a baby around in a heavy car seat with a handle has become very popular. I remember as a young new mom, my Aunt Virginia always chastised me when I carried my baby in the car seat and when I let him sleep in his car seat. “Babies are meant to be held and around in a hard plastic thing?” She had a valid point. Your baby wants to feel the warmth of your body, the softness of your arms. After that, I made it a point to get my baby out of the car seat and hold him during
meetings and during family time. The baby sling allows you to carry your baby right next to your body. The natural curved support of the sling is good for your baby and duplicates the warmth and support they felt in the womb. This great transition item helps your newborn adjust to the outside world.

Carrying your baby in a baby sling or in your arms does so much for bonding between parent and child. A baby sling is infinitely lighter than a heavy car seat. Your baby can sleep very contentedly in it. I used to work at the computer and keep my baby in the sling. It was easy to get up and down and he could nurse and sleep without ever leaving my arms. It was heaven.

There are no hard and fast rules about how to use the baby sling. Some moms like to “wear” their baby all the time, and some like to use the sling occasionally. The baby sling is a tool for YOU. You can choose how you want to use it. Each baby is a little different and each mom is a little different. With each of my last few children, I used my sling
differently. Morgan wanted me to carry him whenever I went in a store, and so the sling was a lifesaver for me then. Joey is happy to sit in the shopping cart, so I do not use it in the same manner. One mom wrote and told me how she carried her baby while she led the music in the children’s Sunday school. What I like best about the sling is that once my baby falls asleep, I can easily lay him down without waking him up. Try doing that with a heavy-duty front pack carrier! It is just about impossible.

Some newborns may not like being in a sling. If this happens to you, don’t give up. Look at the different wearing positions that are illustrated in the pattern-sewing guide. Try a different position. If you can’t get the hang of it, try again when your baby is a bit older and can sit up in the sling.

The baby sling is an age-old design that has worked for centuries. We have made modern “tweaks”, but the reason this style has endured because it is timeless and classic. It works well for moms and babies of all ages, all temperaments and all nationalities. It is easy to sew and easy to use. We hope this pattern helps you in your mothering experience!

(C)2005, Elizabeth Lee Designs, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED