My Mei Tai

Here's an idea: Sew your own baby carrier!

To save the earth and your wallet even more, reuse fabric from old clothes or blankets...( To be honest, though, I didn't do this. I chose to purchase new, cute fabric.)

My Story with Baby Carriers

When my daughter was an newborn/infant, I didn't use a baby carrier that much. This was mostly because she was wearing her hip-harness. But from 4 months on, I have really enjoyed using one.

My friend DeAnne loaned me her Hotsling, which I really like to use hip-carry style, when my daughter is alert and awake and we are just walking over to the neighbors or something. Or when I need to get something done and she just really wants to be in my arms but see what's going on.

But for longer use, or when she wants to go to sleep while we are out and about, I really like my imitation Kozy Carrier. The Kozy Carrier is an Asian style baby carrier called a Mei Tai. I sewed one myself, mimicking that style. This is by far the sewing project with which I am most pleased and of which I am most proud!

Why I Chose this Style

I had seen a Kozy Carrier in person at a friend's house and really liked it. She used it with her toddler when walking somewhere that a stroller was not convenient. After perusing the website and studying all the ways that it can be worn, I realized how versatile it was.

• It could be worn in numerous ways, with numerous sizes of babies and toddlers, and on various sizes of people.
• It folded relatively compactly, so it was easy to store and transport.
• It was hands-free. All slings are not.
• It seemed to be comfortable, because it evenly distributed the weight.
• It was cute! Or, at least, I thought so.

The only drawback was the price.

How I Made It

So, I searched the world wide web and found this Mei Tai pattern, that seemed very similar to the Kozy. With only $10 spent for material, and 3 focused hours at the sewing machine, here's the result:

Don't look too closely or you will see some crooked stitching and a little bit of unevenness in the straps :)

Notes:

I did not make a pocket on it. I didn't want any extra work, or bulk. Also, I did use printed fabric on both sides.

The straps are the hardest part, but if I can do it, you can, too!

The printed fabric is a heavy-weight cotton home-decor fabric and the straps are duckcloth. They both seem similar to canvas to me.

I used batting for the padding. You could make it without padding. I also read somewhere to use fleece for padding because it is easier to work with.

Since making this, I even thought about making one entirely with fleece. But that might be too stretchy. I don't like stretchy carriers because they always feel like they need readjusting to me.

What about corduroy? Or denim? By the way, use your heaviest duty needle (like a jean needle). I broke a needle in the middle of sewing mine. And use strong thread, obviously.

Using the Mei Tai

Yes, she fell asleep in there, sucking her fingers, of course! :)

A few places I have worn our daughter in the Mei Tai...

• At a football game
• Walking around a college campus
• During our garage sale
• Walking around on a golf course
• Hiking (see pic, that's me!)
• At home doing dishes
• Vacation
• Out and about in the neighborhood

My manly husband will even wear our daughter in it!

My next baby related project, maybe as a gift for a friend, is to sew a sling. Perhaps I should have started there... It seems a little simpler, doesn't it? Anyone have a good pattern? Oh well, no regrets... I am very thankful and glad to have my Mei Tai!

Visit the Green Baby Guide for great advice on gentle-to-our-earth, money saving ideas!

And visit Frugal Fridays for tons of thrifty tips!