
You
can make your own baby sling easily with this free baby sling
pattern!
This pouch sling carrier is similar to the baby slings offered by
Peanut Shell, Dr. Sears, HipHugger, and New Native Baby Slings.
You can
save money on baby by learning how to make your own baby sling.
All you need is some basic sewing skills, and me, Handmade
Adelaide! I'll show you how,
with this free baby sling sewing pattern!
New
to baby slings? I have owned many different types of baby
carriers, and the pouch sling
is my favorite...and one of my husband's
favorite pieces of baby equipment too! See the free baby sling patterns page to find out why we love this type
of baby carrier, and learn about all of your options for making your perfect custom baby
sling. You'll also find advice on choosing fabrics, and some
very cool and exclusive baby sling carrier accessories, attachments and modifications.
The pouch sling is all the rage...even celebrities are sporting these
stylish baby carriers. I created this
instruction page for someone who has never sewn a baby sling before.
This is the long version, and it has very detailed instructions and tips. Don't get
overwhelmed...just read through slowly and follow each step. It's
easier than it looks!
Want a short version? Click here for a fast photo guide sling pattern.
Baby slings make excellent
gifts for expecting Moms. Handmade baby gift ideas are so unique.
Learning how to make your own baby sling is one of those
practical ways to save money.
Saving money on a budget is
Frugal Fran's specialty! Click on the Frugal
Tips piggie bank icon to find some great ways to save money
when you sew a baby sling. My sister Fran shares
the best strategy to saving money on sewing supplies. And she also
gives you some top secret, but practical ways to save money on fabric.
Want more creative inspiration? Check out these adorable and unique handmade baby gift ideas and free baby patterns!
Now...let's make a baby sling!
Free Baby Sling Pattern
This free baby sling pattern is for non-stretchy fabrics. If you're
interested in a free baby sling pattern for making a sling with a stretchy
fabric (like fleece or knits) please click here!
If you've made a sling before, and just want the quick photo guide, then click here.
Free Baby Sling Pattern
You’ll need the following supplies:
-A sewing machine*
, pins, a measuring tape, etc.
*Hand sewing on pouches is not recommended, as the center seam is
weight bearing. For baby's safety, it is critical that the center
seam be as strong as possible.
-Iron and Ironing board
-Nylon thread, or regular thread
in a contrasting or matching color to your fabrics.
-Yarn or string
to help lay out your curve and tapering cuts
-Approximately 2 yards of each fabric that you plan on
using.
Please see
choosing your fabric for help and advice on selecting the best fabrics
for your free baby sling pattern. Use a double layer of any
light weight fabric. Be sure that the fabric you choose can
support the weight of your baby or child.
Lining your sling: You can line your sling with the
same fabric that it is made out of, or use a contrasting color or coordinating
pattern.
Making a reversible sling: Simply buy 2 yards of contrasting or coordinating fabric, and
your lined sling will be reversible! Black,
Denim or Khaki make great neutral combos that can be worn by men or women and
passed along from one baby to the next.
For my first sling, I used a gender neutral combination of turquoise
fleece and a pretty milk chocolate colored silky jersey knit. My husband and I could both wear the sling,
and it kept my January baby toasty warm!
To Taper or Not To Taper… A tapered sling gets narrower
toward your shoulder. Most
of the popular slings on the market today (like Peanut Shells and New
Native baby slings) aren’t tapered, with the full width of
fabric on your shoulder. Non-tapered slings do offer fuller coverage for you and baby. The
pattern illustrations on this page show a non-tapered pouch. But
I have added an optional tapered cut to this free baby sling pattern.
If you want
the traditional non-tapered sling, then simply skip the taper cut step,
and
just proceed with the directions.
(above) A tapered reversible
sling in pistachio and purple shirting. This sling was made using this free baby sling pattern, and features a
monogrammed flip pocket, with a coordinating monogrammed tote bag.
Fabric Prep
Wash and iron your fabric.
Don’t skip this part! Especially if you’re using 100% cotton fabric. It’s very tempting to just dive right in
with that beautiful
new fabric you’ve just purchased. But that beautiful
finished sling will shrink in the wash, and become an ugly
duckling. Failure to pre-wash
and iron will result in a rumpled shrunken pouch with gappy and ill fitted
seams.
"Pre-washing and ironing is what makes the difference between
‘is that thing homemade?’ and ‘Wow! You made this?’ "
Free Baby Sling Pattern
Size Chart
Choose
your size based on what size shirt you wear. This accounts for
torso length & girth (or expected post delivery girth) including
bust and tummy. It's always best to take
an actual measurement instead of relying on an average size, but these
are helpful guesstimates when making a gift.
It
is recommended to make a pouch slightly larger, rather than slightly
smaller. If your pouch ends up too big, you can quickly alter it
by cutting off the pouch seam and re-stitching it to make it smaller.
But if you make it too small, there is no simple solution for
making it larger.
Time Saving Tips:
If you are making more than one sling in the
same size, or lining your sling, you can carefully line up and fold your fabrics
together so that you only have to cut once.
For a lined sling, carefully
line up your fabrics with right sides facing. Then proceed with the rest of the free baby sling pattern directions. Line up and cut through
both pieces of fabric as you go.
Be sure to keep those edges lined up
and neat as you make your cuts and folds. This makes it much easier to sew straight and professional looking seams.
Free Baby Sling Pattern
Cutting Your Fabric Width
Unfold your fabric and lay it out flat on a cutting surface or the
floor. First, you’ll be measuring and
cutting the fabric so that it is the right width for a sling. This cut will determine how high the sides
of the sling are when worn. You can either choose a shorter 22" side or a higher 24" side for your sling.
When to Choose Shorter Sides: Cutting
your fabric to 22" wide creates a shorter sides ling. This is
your most efficient use of fabric, allowing you to get 2 slings out
of one 44” piece of fabric. Shorter sided slings work great
for older babies who already sit up well. They are perfect for
the hip carry, as there's not as
much fabric to bunch up baby's back. The 22" sling works great
for heavier
fabrics like canvas and denim.
Instant Lining with 44" fabric: You can fold the fabric in
half (right sides together) and create an instant lining for your
sling. This is a great choice for lighter fabrics like quilting
fabric, etc.
If you want to make a self-lined sling, simply fold your 44" fabric
lengthwise down the center with right sides facing. Then move on to the Then Fold step in the Laying Fabric Out to Cut section.
Two for One: If you choose to use the 22” width and don’t want the self
lining feature, just cut your 44” piece of fabric in half, right along the long center fold
line. (fig. 1)

Cutting fabrics that are wider than 44" (fig. 2)
For
a sling with lower sides, follow the instructions on fig. 2 and
fold your flap at 11". If you want a sling with higher
sides, then fold the flap to 13”. (**Tip to save time:
Since I make these regularly for gifts, I cut a piece of poster board
to 13" tall, and drew a line on it to mark 11" tall. I use it as
a template to fold my fabric to the right depth. Cut along the
top edge of
the folded up flap of
fabric. You can use your leftover fabric
to make a matching nursing cover, a custom pouch for your sling, or
even a pocket if you want! Since the fabric you've just cut is
already folded in half, you’ve already done
the first step of Laying Fabric Out To Cut, so skip down to Then
fold…
When to Choose Higher Sides: I
like the sides on my slings to be a little higher for newborns and younger babies, especially if I am
making a tapered sling. A 24" side
allows me to temporarily shade or cover
the baby to keep wind or strange fingers out off of her face when I
carry her
in a cradle hold (just be sure to leave plenty of air circulation if you
do this). The
higher sides also supports the baby’s head and back when they are
facing you in a seated hold. This helps a younger baby to sit up
in the sling a little easier. If you
make a sling with higher sides, you can always fold back the outside
edge if
you ever want the side to be shorter, but I rarely find the need to do
this. I like a sling to be about 24 inches wide, and so I cut the
fabric to 26” (which includes seam or hem allowance).
Please read these safe wearing instructions when deciding on which
pouch
depth is right for you.
Free Baby Sling Pattern
Laying Fabric Out To Cut:
First, fold your 22-26 inch fabric as shown by matching long edges
of the fabric together, making it narrower down the whole length. (fig. 3)

Then fold,
matching up the short sides of the fabric, which makes it half as long as it
was. Fold it neatly so that the edges
are all lined up as best you can. (fig. 4)


Finding your
Custom Measurement for a free baby sling pattern
It is recommended to take your body measurement for a custom fit. (fig.5) To get your custom measurement, measure across
the front of your body from one shoulder to the opposite hip bone, and then add 3” to the body
measurement. This is your custom length measurement. The extra length is allowance for the pouch that cradles the babies heiny.
Note: Do not add 3" if you are using a measurement from the size chart. The allowance is already built into those measurements.
Free Baby Sling Pattern
Cutting fabric to length:
Using your custom measurement, or an average measurement from size chart above.
Measure (as shown in fig. 6) from
folded left edge of your fabric, and mark your correct length along the
top and bottom edge of the fabric (I like to use a pin to mark my cuts). Cut
fabric to
the correct length in a straight line from one mark to the other.
You may pin the top edges to hold the fabric in place as you cut
the pouch in the next step.

Note: Since your
fabric is folded in half lengthwise, it is actually twice as long as your body measurement. This gives you enough
fabric to go all the way around your body when you’re wearing the sling.
Free Baby Sling Pattern
Cutting the Pouch:
Next, you will cut a curve that will become the pouch
shape. Marking and cutting the curve is
the hardest part of this whole process.
It
looks tricky, so just take it slow and follow the directions.
When you make your second sling, it will make more sense and is
much easier. I use pins and string to mark out the curve. (fig. 7)

Place a pin at the bottom right corner.
Pin straight down into the
carpet or cutting board through all the layers of fabric.
Next, you are going to measure and place a pin 3 inches back from the top right corner. Stick the pin straight up, through all the layers of
fabric. Move down 1/2 inch
and put another pin directly below the top pin.
The
pin that you've just placed will mark the top edge of the curve.
The space between the top marker pin and the one at the top edge will be cut
straight, and is your seam or hem allowance.
Now we’ll mark out the
curve:
Use a piece of yarn or string to help you lay out a curve as
shown in fig. 7. When you are satisfied with the shape, place
pins or draw along the curved string to mark your cutting line. Cut out your curve.
Free Baby Sling Pattern
Cutting a tapered shoulder:
A tapered cut will reduce the amount of fabric that lays across
your shoulder when wearing your baby sling.
If you don’t want a tapered pouch, then just go directly to sewing your sling
Measure from the lower left hand corner where the fabric
folds in half both lengthwise and widthwise.
Place a pin 7 inches up the folded side (fig 8). Next, place a pin at the far right hand corner through all the
layers. I like to stretch a string between the pins to lay out a straight line and pin through it to mark my cutting line. Make this angled cut from one pin to the other.

Time
Saver Tip:
Make a Paper Pattern
in your custom size!
If you
plan on making more than one sling, then use the sling that you've just cut to
make a quick custom pattern. Take the folded sling, and lay it on a piece
of heavy paper. A cut and unfolded shopping bag or a heavy piece of
wrapping paper work well. Carefully trace around your sling to create a
paper pattern. Be sure to label the pattern with the name and
measurements of the person who it is made for, as well as the fabric type
(stretchy or non-stretchy). Now all you have to do for your next sling is
fold
the fabric, pin on your free baby sling pattern, and cut it out!
It's also easier to make
modifications when you make your own free baby sling pattern. If your
first sling turns out a little too long, or you want the pouch to be deeper,
just make some notes on your paper pattern, and make the needed adjustments on
your next sling.