ring sling with overlapping pleat shoulder

New ordering system is now in place. Please click the link and read before ordering!
Remaining points for in-stock slings:

sling faq:

• I want to order a _____ sling. Do you have it in stock?
• I'm trying to order, and I keep getting an "out of stock" message -- what gives?
• Can I send you a wrap to be made into a sling? How does that work?
• What's a Serendipity Sling? What makes it different from your regular slings?
• Will you prethread my sling? Are there directions included?
• Can you make my sling with a closed tail/padded rails/other features like another sling I saw?
  Will you make me a pouch sling or a mei tai/ABC?
• What fabric should I buy?
• It's very hot where I live. What fabric do you recommend?
• What rings are better, nylon or aluminum?
• I'm having a boy/girl. What color should I get?
• What size should I get?
• How much is shipping?
• How long will it take to get my sling?
• I live in Canada, and I don't want to pay the customs fee. Can you mark the sling as a gift?
• I got my sling -- why does one edge look unfinished? Is this safe?
• What is your return policy?
• I'm ordering this as a gift, and I want it to be a surprise.
• How long a wrap should I send you to have it redone as a sling?

I want to order a ______ sling. Do you have it in stock?

The fabrics shown on the website are currently in stock. (A corollary to this: if it's not on the site, it's not available.) On rare occasions, I get a large batch of orders and am unable to update the site in time to mark certain fabrics not in stock, but I will let you know if this happens. However, please keep in mind that it is the *fabric* that is in stock. I sew every sling individually as it is ordered -- unlike larger manufacturers, I do not keep a completed inventory on hand, as there are so many variations possible. Every sling is a custom sling!

I'm trying to order, and I keep getting an "out of stock" message -- what gives?

In all likelihood, you've encountered the downside to my new ordering system. It's less stressful for me, but it does mean that when the points are used up for the day, people who try to order afterwards are shut out. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience; especially having gone through two children's infancies, I'm well aware of how precious your time is, and that it's hard to come back day after day to a site when all you want is to place an order! I wish there were another way I could accomodate all the people who would like to order without doing this, but short of hiring help (and raising my prices a lot) or instituting a waiting list (which makes me crazy), I just don't know what else to do. I can only ask that you try again, or, failing that, send an email -- I'll try to let you know when I'll next be adding points, and if that's not convenient, I will probably be able to work something else out for you. I don't want anyone to go slingless because of the system -- just keep myself in business and my kids happy :)

Can I send you a wrap to be made into a sling? How does that work?

Yes, I have quite a bit of experience with this now (having done about 60 thus far!). Basically, you send me a wrap (or have it sent to me, either second-hand or from a retailer), and I cut it to size and put pleats and rings on it. I can either hem the other portion (if applicable) or make two slings and/or accessories (depending on its length). If two portions are done (either made into slings or hemmed) I can send each to a different person, since shipping is built into the price of the redo.

Please see the sling/wrap redo section for much more information!

What's a Serendipity Sling? What makes it different from your regular slings?

Serendipity means "making fortunate discoveries by accident", which I think perfectly describes these slings. I had some fabric that was too small to make a sling with, and a few pretty scraps. Putting them together results in one-of-a-kind slings! Inventory will depend completely on what I have on hand, and will change frequently. Make your own by choosing a solid and a print/stripe from the in-stock fabrics! There are no differences in the basic construction of these slings; they feature the same pleated shoulder and are sized like my regular slings. The difference is in the tail accent.

Will you prethread my sling? Are there directions included?

I prethread all slings before mailing them, making sure that the fabric is spread out well in the rings; and all slings come with a comprehensive guide to wearing, including step-by-step directions for the most popular positions. (You can see them here as well.)

Can you make my sling with a closed tail/padded rails/other features like another sling I saw? Will you make me a pouch sling or a mei tai/ABC?

In a word, no. There are a lot of slings on the market right now, each with its own special features. I make my slings using my own design, and respect the work that others have done in designing theirs. I am willing to customize some features of your sling, like the fabrics, length, and addition of pockets and such, but I am not comfortable making direct copies of other peoples' work. If you want a sling that is just like XYZ's sling, you should order one from XYZ. I'm not saying this to be difficult; I am disappointed when someone copies my designs, and of course need to respect others' ideas myself.

As for other features that may not be a direct copy (like padded rails or different shoulder styles), I prefer not to do these simply because I don't have the practice necessary to do them professionally -- that is, I might be able to wing a hotdog or gathered shoulder, or stuff some padding into the edges, but it wouldn't look half as good as those done by seamstresses with more experience, and I'd prefer that the slings I sell look as nice as they should. I'd recommend looking at different WAHMs who specialize in those features and commissioning a custom sling from them.

If you are interested in a padded sling, you can try these sellers. As for pouch slings, I do not have much experience making them for others, and could not guarantee correct sizing, which is of the utmost importance in a pouch. I would recommend checking the sellers here. I am also not an expert on mei tais or ABCs; these companies are a better bet.

What fabric should I buy?

This is the question I get most frequently. The answer depends on what you're looking for in a sling, your climate, and your own personal tastes. I can't account for the latter, but can help with the first two! Please see the descriptions within each fabric in my catalog -- I have tried to be as specific as possible in the long description (from the main pages, click "details", the thumbnail picture, or the [more] in the brackets).

If you would like to send fabric to me, please see the fabric FAQ I wrote for my sling sewing page.

It's very hot where I live. What fabric do you recommend?

My three top picks are Solarveil, linen, and Tencel. Solarveil is great because it has UV-blocking properties, and its open weave keeps you about as cool as you can be while wearing a baby right next to your skin. It's also best for water use, whether wading or showering. Linen is made from flax, an ancient fiber, and wicks away moisture, while breathing nicely through the weave. Tencel is a man-made fiber, but is natural in origin, being made from wood cellulose. Its fibers wick moisture the way linen does, but it resists wrinkling and is much softer and drapier than linen, as well as being thinner (though still quite strong). It is not suitable for water use, as the fibers weaken somewhat when wet. My personal preference is for Tencel or linen as an everyday sling, and Solarveil for prolonged outdoor and water usage.

What rings are better, nylon or aluminum?

Both nylon and aluminum rings have been safety tested by their manufacturer, SlingRings, and are made specifically for use in baby slings. Personally, I prefer the look of the aluminum rings -- they are more streamlined and feel more "classy" to me. However, they are also a little harder to adjust, due to their smaller gauge; of course, that also means they slip very little, if at all. They do not heat up appreciably when left in the sun, as aluminum has a very low thermal conductivity (they don't retain heat well). The nylon rings have a more baby-sling look to me. They are somewhat easier to adjust, but this also means they are slightly more prone to slippage. Aluminum and nylong rings weigh approximately the same, and both are fine in the washer and drier -- just put a pair of socks over them if you're worried about the finish or the noise. I have had to raise the price on the aluminum rings due to a price increase by their manufacturer, but I think the $0.50 is well worth it if you like the look of aluminum.

I'm having a boy/girl. What color should I get?

For me, a sling is less baby-clothes and more mommy-accessory. Most of my own slings are dark blue, because I usually wear jeans and the rest of my wardrobe skews blue. So I would kindly suggest that you look in your closet, see what colors you usually wear, and pick a sling based on that, rather than the baby's sex. You may find that, like me, you wear your sling pretty much all the time you're out, whether the baby is in it or not.

What size should I get?

Please read through the sling size page.

How much is shipping?

Short answer: Within the US, lightweight slings are $4.05 to ship , while multiple slings and bulkier fabrics will be between $4.15 and $6.00, depending on your zip code (the price is calculated based on the weight and the distance travelled). Outside the US, the cost will be between $7.50 (to Canada) and $13, with most countries being $9.50, unless the sling is bulky or multiple slings are ordered. There is more information on the ordering info page.

How long will it take to get my sling?

All slings are sewn to your specifications after I receive your order. While I work from home, I prefer to keep regular business hours in deference to my family's needs, so I do not make it a practice to sew or ship on the weekends. I have two small children, so it's not always possible to get slings out right away, but if there will be more than a five-day delay, I will let you know via email. I ship via USPS Priority Mail. The PO claims this takes 2-3 days, though your mileage may vary. Californians may find that shipping takes more like 4 days, while those on the East coast may receive their slings within a day of shipping.

All told, once I receive payment, you should have your sling within a week, assuming there are no complications. In Canada, this can be as long as 2-3 weeks -- Canada Post being notoriously slow.

I live in Canada, and I don't want to pay the customs fee. Can you mark the sling as a gift?

No. Marking a purchased item as a gift is mail fraud, and I would be the one breaking the law (and hence, the one who would be punished if the package were opened). I will mark the package with the value of the sling alone (without the shipping costs), which will mean your customs fees will be $5 plus 15% of the sling's value, but the latter should be no more than $5 (and generally will be less). If you prefer not to pay customs on your purchase, I would suggest contacting a sling maker in Canada -- Diane of Mother's Helper makes slings to order, and I have heard wonderful things about her work.

I got my sling -- why does one edge look unfinished? Is this safe?

The unfinished-looking edge is called the selvage, and it's actually quite strong. It is woven into the fabric during production, to keep the edges from fraying. I leave it as-is on some slings, because I've found it very useful to be able to tell one edge from the other when I'm adjusting my sling. If you would prefer a hemmed edge instead of the selvage, please make a note of that when you order. (Most fabrics I currently stock are hemmed on both sides. The exception is twill, which has a decorative and strong selvage.)

What is your return policy?

It's here. Please understand that the $5 restocking fee is added not because I want to be difficult or take your money, but because as a very very very small business, every moment and every dollar counts. I have taken two returns this year, and both slings are still taking up space in my closet because I have not gotten any orders for the same size, color, and fabric. I will need to put the extra time into selling them on eBay or the babywearing swap lists in order to recoup my costs, and I don't want to make that a regular practice.

I'm ordering this as a gift, and I want it to be a surprise.

I know it's nice to have a surprise gift, but a sling is a pretty personal item. I think it's best to let the recipient pick out the size, color, and other options -- like having the selvage finished or not, pockets, rings, etc. Returns and exchanges are possible, but difficult. I think it's better to get it right the first time, even if that means spoiling the surprise.

How long a wrap should I send you to have it redone as a sling?

That depends on how long you want your sling and whether you want any accessories. A rebozo-length wrap -- or, for that matter, a rebozo (about 3 meters) -- will have ample fabric for even the longest sling, plus a pocket or snap-on pouch and a snap-strap. A size 2 Didymos is 270 cm long (2.7 meters, 106") which is long enough for an xxl sling and a zipless pocket. If you want to split a wrap between two people and have two slings made from it, it should be at least a size 4 (370 cm or 145", enough for two size small slings, no accessories) though a size 5 (420 cm, 165") would be necessary for two size medium slings. I would recommend a size 6 (470 cm, 185") if you want two slings plus any accessories. (I don't recommend a zippered pocket with Didymos, Storch, or Girasol wraps, as the fabric has very large threads and an open weave that makes setting in a zipper a cumbersome process at best, and I can't vouch for its finished appearance.)

For reference, here's how much fabric each size sling and accessory takes:

To convert from centimeters to inches, divide the number of centimeters by 2.54; to convert from inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54. Using this method, you can find out how long a wrap you need for the sling size you want.

Important! Wraps that have tapered ends, like the Didymos, lose a few inches in the conversion process due to the taper. This is especially true if you are having one half made into a sling, and the other half re-hemmed to make a short wrap. In that case, plan on losing at least 6", due to the length of the taper.

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