Why you should always check your baby carriers

I've posted this picture before, my current favourite baby carrier. It's one I made when I was pregnant with my first daughter. And, to be honest, didn't really know what the hell I was doing.

I make a habit of checking the seams on my carriers almost every time I use them, just in case. Turns out that's a REALLY good idea:



EEEEEEEEEEK. Very, very glad I found it immediately, and it was an easy repair. I did NOT construct that seam correctly when I made the original carrier, although it is something of a testament that even the improperly sewn seam lasted as long as it did. The seam has now been triple stitched and the raw edges zig-zagged, and it should be fine, but you can bet I'll be keeping an extra close eye on it! Frankly there really shouldn't be a seam there at all - I should have used one long piece of fabric for the sling, but I now know enough to make the seam safe.

As an aside, this is why you should always be cautious when buying baby carriers as well. Safe construction requires a lot of research into technique, and unfortunately there are people selling carriers who really, really shouldn't be. I love buying stuff from work at home moms, and I don't want to discourage that, but baby carriers in particular can be tricky. Be cautious, especially buying anything where the price seems too good to be true. This is especially the case with Mei Tais, and goes double if you plan to use the Mei Tai to carry a baby or a toddler on your back.

Mei Tai - Pink Butterflies

Finally got L's Mei Tai done. Whew. It's very pretty, and I hope she finds it useful!

now I have to decide what to work on next. I also owe L a diaper bag, so I'll start that this weekend and hopefully have something to show her by Monday. But before then I want to get a few things done for the store. A few doll mei tais for sure (I have a big pile of fabric all ready to cut out), since they are good sellers and right now I don't have a lot of selection listed. And I think I want to finish up the hairband pattern and get a few of those listed, too.

Mostly, though, what I want is a nap.

Works in progress: L's Mei Tai

Hey, it's a Mei Tai intended to carry REAL babies, not dolls!

Told you I was making progress, L! I have to attach the waist strap and finish off the body, then it'll be ready for fitting. For this one I'm leaving the ends of the straps unfinished until I have a chance to try it on L and her husband so that I can adjust the length if necessary. It's going to be VERY pretty - I love the butterfly fabric L&D chose!

Then I have to make them their diaper bag - with a toddler and newborn twins, they need a BIG bag. And maybe an IV of caffeine. I can't even imagine.

Custom doll mei tai

Been doing a few custom pieces lately. I'm particularly proud of this one, I think it came out really well! The customer was looking for something specific, and I hope this works for her and her daughter. It's black twill with brocade - the brocade is something I've had in my stash for a while, with the idea of using it for purses, but I think this was an excellent use of a bit of the fabric!

More doll Mei Tais

I've had this fabric in my stash for a while and finally got around to using it to make a couple of doll Mei Tais for the shop - and wouldn't you know, but this one sold within 24 hours of being listed! apparently I should have made these up sooner!
Reverse is marbled pink, very pretty.

Same pattern, just the solid fabric for the straps rather than the flowers.

Now I need to dig through the stash again, I have some more fabric I meant for doll Mei Tais, I just can't remember where I put it!

Doll Mei Tais

I am very fond of my Mei Tais, and daughter number 2 spends a fair amount of time being carted around in one. Naturally, daughter number 1 decided she needed a Mei Tai of her own, and after the fourth or fifth time she stole one of mine and got herself tied up in it (HELP ME MAMA!!!), I decided to make her one of her own. And that led to the creation of a pattern.

This is a very simple Mei Tai, and it goes on a child just like a regular Mei Tai - which means they generally require some help. I have a pattern designed for a version that a child can get in and out of themselves, but there are still some kinks to work out of that one, so for now I'm just making the standard style.

If my model cooperates this afternoon, I'll get some better pictures of her wearing it and get the ones I have made listed in the Etsy shop.


I really like this fabric; I wish I'd gotten more of it! Also I wish I hadn't screwed up the first two Mei Tais, I'd have more of this fabric left!

Circle Mei Tai

Another Mei Tai - this one is lighter weight for summer, plus the colours and pattern seem spring and summery to me, and after a long winter stuck inside with a crazy three year old and a newborn, I am READY for spring!

Body fabric is IKEA FREDRIKA. Mei Tai is a basic design, this time with the bottom straps sewn in X-box style rather than my more usual method of sewing the bottom straps as a continuous panel. Hidden layer of canvas, as usual, with a plain blue lightweight inner layer.

Action shot!
I also had her on my back in this one, but forgot to take pictures. I like the wider lightly padded straps for front carries, but they don't work as well for back carries. I'm not big on the back stuff right now anyway, it makes me too nervous not to be able to keep a hand on her and see what she's up to. Plus the last time I had her on my back she started licking my neck. Ewwwwwww.

I'm thinking of trying a buckle-tai if I can get my hands on some reasonably priced webbing and buckles - I love my Mei Tais but for things like quick trips into the grocery store messing around with the straps is kind of a pain.

I have a few other completed projects waiting for photographs. Diaper bag for the Etsy shop, the prototype for the doll Mei Tais (that one I need a willing model, but alas my model has been a bit under the weather and uncooperative!). And very soon I think I need to start sewing larger diapers for the baby. For some reason she just keeps growing...

B's Mei Tai

Mei Tai for a friend! IKEA fabric again for the body (Elisabet); heavy twill inner, twill fabric from Fabricland for the straps. Straps are lightly padded with fleece.

First, the interior - the straps are attached to the hidden inner layer with triple-stitched X-boxes. This is very important in a Mei Tai - the stress of the weight of the baby shouldn't all be on the outer seams, these hidden inner seams provide strength and safety.


Testing it out with Maggie; she prefers to ride arms out:


And the reverse, demonstrating arms in. Maggie HATES this position, she's actually yelling at me. Loudly.


Slightly better view of the colours:



I hope she likes it!

Edit: Thank you B for these pictures - I forgot to take photos of the carrying bag! I love this bag pattern, it's a free pattern you can find on the Burda website for a reversible messenger bag. I've made a bunch of these for various purposes, and I've found they are a good size for Mei Tai storage.

Mei Tai - Black and Orange birds

New reversible Mei Tai from IKEA Gunilla fabric. At some point I may make a sleep hood for it, I may not.