Having a baby without breaking the bank---Homemade moby wrap

 

{This is Part 3 of my series on having a baby without breaking the bank...scroll to the bottom of this post for link-ups to Parts 1 and 2!}

Ohhh....this was fun!  I love to carry my babes...I can't resist wanting them close to me as I go through my days.  Smelling their sweet baby smell, having them near to gaze at whenever....it just seems so natural to me.  When my babies aren't close to me, I never feel quite right.  Sure, everyone needs breaks now and then.  However, for the most part, I think I like them snuggled up close with me. 

That said, there has been a baby carrier that I have loved and enjoyed for years now.  The ergo carrier is one that has stolen my heart for my babes.  I have worn it for hours at a time, without getting a sore back.  Many an adventure in the woods has been enjoyed with my babies riding along in the ergo.  It has been worth every penny I spent on it, and I have loved it so.  I started using it when my last was around 6 months old, or so.  I used it recently with my 3 year old in the grocery store while I was 8 months pregnant.  Amazing baby carrier. 

Because my youngest at the time was 6 months old at least, I did not buy the infant insert to the ergo.  My husband right now is laid off until we move in a couple of months to Minnesota, (God willing), for his new job.  Because of want to save every penny, I decided to make a homemade Moby wrap, for less than I would have spent on the ergo insert.  Want to make one for yourself as well?  Here's how I did it.

First, purchase yourself some fabric.  I purchased 5 yards of a cotton/spandex blend.  It is 95% cotton and 5% spandex.  I didn't want it too strechy, yet it needs to have a little "give" to it.  From this 5 yards, you will be getting two wraps!  I folded it in half lengthwise, and cut it in half, giving me two separate wraps.  One to have in the wash, and one to wear.  Or, one to keep and one to give away!  I don't need to worry about fraying with this material, so no sewing required.  It will curl a bit on the ends, but that's okay.  I placed a safety pin (make sure this doesn't poke the baby later!), to mark the middle of my fabric for easier wrapping.  Then, I went here to mobywrap.com to learn how to wrap it.  Ta da, you now have your own baby wrap!  Enjoy your little ones!

p.s. If you're curious, I paid $40 for the fabric, and so they were $20 a piece.....about half the price of the non-organic moby wraps! Also, if you shop at Joanne's Fabrics, use one of those 40% off coupons from the paper to get an even better deal!

That's what works for me!

Joy

This post is a part of Frugal Friday....at Life as Mom, as well as Seasonal Saturday.

{Catch Part 1 of this series on clothing here; and Part 2 of this series on homemade diaper cream and nipple cream here}

Comments

[Jen]

Love the wrap! Wish I was crafty as you when mine were tiny. MN is great. I have lots of family there. Good luck with your move!

[Carrie]

I want to try a Moby Wrap whenever our next baby comes, but I didn't like the price tag that came with it. :-) Thanks for sharing this tutorial...I'm looking forward to trying it out!

[Joy Y.]

Jen,
Thanks for the compliment! So sweet of you! I agree that MN is a great place....hopefully our move will happen sooner than later! Blessings to you for the new year!

Joy

Carrie,
Hope you like the moby with your next little babe! It is a lovely way to snuggle and be hands free at the same time!

God bless,

Joy

[Melanie]

How wide should the fabric be?

[Joy Y.]

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Hi there Melanie,

I didn't change the width from it's original size at the store. Whatever the standard widths are, is just fine.

Hope this works out well for you and your little one!

Blessings,

Joy~

[Colleen]

When you fold it in half lengthwise are you cutting it so that you have 2, 2 1/2 yard pieces or 2 long narrrow 5 yard pieces?

[Joy Y.]

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Hi Colleen,

When you have your piece laid out in front of you, fold it LENGTHWISE. You will be cutting it into two pieces, that are 5 yards in length.

I hope this helps. It may help you to fold it lengthwise, then iron it to make a crease; open it back up, and you will see where to cut.

Is this for your own baby? If so, I hope you enjoy the snuggle time. I know I did with mine.

Blessings,

Joy~

[Rebecca]

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I have been wanting to make my own for my sweet guy number 7. Now I can do so! Thank You! I like mine snuggled close too even though this is the first little snuggler I have had. The others liked their space. Lovin' the snuggles.

[Joy Y.]

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Rebecca,

You are so very welcome! Congratulations on number 7 in your family! How old are your other children? Mine have all been snugglers so far....so this wrap comes in handy! The picture above is of my now 2 yr. old son, and I am due with our 6th child in Late Oct./Early November. So glad this was helpful for you.

Blessings,

Joy~

[Hannah]

Is this a one size fits all? I'm a bigger girl and I am wanting to make one of these. Will this work for me as well or do I need to purchase more material?

[Joy Y.]

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Hi Hannah,

Yes, I think this is a one size fits all. The length is QUITE long, as you'll be able to see if you make it. (It's hard to tell in pictures.) Should work quite well for you and your babe. Have you had your baby, or are you still pregnant? Blessings to your family either way!

Joy~