It's a...

sling! I had one with Paige & loved it! But it's purple w/polka dots and little man can't be seen in it!

And yes, you guessed it, the fabric is none other than the fabulous Amy Butler's Lotus Wall Flower Sky. Hancock's of Paducah is a great source for all her fabrics {just keep in mind they sell them by 1/2 yard increments}.

I first saw the idea over at Everything In It's Place. And between her tutorial and these tutorials I came up with this! It took about 2 hours total to complete, next time it will probably take a lot less... the first time you do anything it seems to take a lot longer.

The other things I learned: make sure both fabrics are of a lighter weight or if you choose a heavier weight fabric don't make your sling as wide. I would chose 2 lighter weight fabrics and not make it any wider than 30" max! The Amy Butler fabric is lightweight and I should have lined it with another one of her fabrics that coordinates because you see so much of the lining. (The white cotton lining that I chose was too heavy.) Although using Amy Butler for both the lining and the outside could get pricey as it is recommended that you use 2 & 1/2 yards of each. However, I prefer a "shorter tail" so I got by with 2 yards of each. I cut both the wall flower fabric and the lining to exactly 32" x 2 yards. This proved to be too bulky for my machine when it came time to attach the rings. I'd like to also note that I'm just telling you what I did, this doesn't mean this is best for everyone or that you should necessarily do what I did. These slings are probably a high liability item and Jan notes on her website over and over these are to be made for personal use and not sold. With that said, I fully trust my work and I intend to put my child in it, but I'm certainly not going to be making these for anyone else or selling them! :)

Ok, disclaimer complete... my machine could handle the basting stitches over the pleats (w/a heavy duty denim needle) but couldn't handle two layers of pleated fabric (when you put the rings on). Thankfully, I've come to know Ed at the local upholstery shop that specializes in car upholstery and I knew he would have a machine that could... so I ran there this morning and he did the stitches that hold the rings on and he did a lot of them-- it looks like he went back and forth at least 3 times. He said "pay him what I thought his services were worth"... I gave him $6 and he did it while I waited. He also used super-duper strong nylon thread (like what seat belts are made of) which made me appreciate his willingness even more. He also offered me a job... but between the posters of 1/2 dressed women and the smoke, I told him he couldn't afford me! :)

Cost to make:

Amy Butler fabric (+ shipping): $23.91

Lining fabric (+ tax): $7.62

Large Sling Rings (sold in pairs) (+ shipping): $5.19

Ed's services at upholstery shop: $6

grand total: $42.72

A special thank you to my daughters who let me borrow their "scary looking" baby doll for the picture. I'm certain the sling will fit better with a baby in it rather than both in it and behind it... at 36+ weeks I couldn't quite suck my tummy in and let the sling lie flat against my stomach. I can't wait to put him in it... it will be great for nursing and for trips to the store with 3 little ones in tow! I'm sure any passerbys who saw my husband taking pictures of me with this "thing" in the sling had to wonder what on earth we were doing! :)

Once you put the sling on and adjust it... which takes a considerable amount of time and effort. I would NOT undo it. Simply slide the sling over your head until you're ready to wear it again. The last sling I had came with a DVD tutorial and they have wonderful directions HERE. There is a very important step they call "bubbling" which adjusts tightness of the sling around the baby {it pulls it tight across your chest (like you see in the picture of me and scary baby) rather than allowing it to droop down in a "u" shape}. You do the "bubbling" after you've got the sling in the right position on your body, the "bubbling" doesn't adjust the height of the sling on your body it simply pulls the sling closer to your baby and supports them better. It will take time to get the sling comfortable around not only you but the baby also and once you get to this position don't take the sling apart through the rings... or you'll have to start all over again! :)

For those of you who have asked questions about my sewing machine & embroidery software, etc. I'm working on a post just for you... maybe tomorrow if I can get my links in order!