My New Mei Tai

Here's what I did with the fabric I got with my gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics. I had just enough to purchase one yard of each colour and cover shipping. David came up with the idea for the design. I was showing him fabrics that I liked and asked him if I had to make it boy friendly to carry a boy. He suggested the black with the green stripes (so it wouldn't matter if I carried a boy or a girl) and I love it. Then when I got my two yards of fabric, I quickly realized that it was going to take some very careful calculations to make the mei tai. David to the rescue again. Remember how much money he saved me on my diapers, just by making great calculations? He did it again. I knew that I wanted the straps to be mostly green and I really wanted the stripes and we made it work. Straps, by the way, take a long time. They are meticulously sewn and pressed and these are probably my favourite straps that I've sewn yet. What a difference slow and careful sewing makes. I admit that I often get impatient on long stretches of straight sewing, but I'm so glad I took care with these ones.

In the details: the body of the carrier and the top of the shoulder straps are double lined with fusible fleece. I don't have any quilt batting, and the fleece stays still for me while I put it all together. I appliqued the stripes on the front. The shoulder straps are green on top and black underneath, while the waist straps are all green. That's all thanks to David's creative math. Perhaps my favourite feature is the fact that I used green top thread and black bobbin thread when sewing the green and black straps so the stitching isn't the first thing you see, but rather a neat and professional finish. They are double top stitched and the padded section has six rows of topstitching. A lot of thread and a lot of time.

I was asked if I had considered selling these. I don't think I'd mass produce them, but perhaps some custom orders. Unfortunately, they are not cost productive due to the amount of time it takes to sew them. It wouldn't be any cheaper than store bought mei tai carriers, but it would be amazing in your personal choice of fabric. I love being able to sew my own things like this and make them the way I want.

Like the last carrier, this one is a combination of an old pattern/tutorial that I downloaded off a blog that no longer exists and the instructions from Jan Andrea on the web. I am much happier with the way this one is assembled compared to the first two I made years ago. Micah has already been in here and slept quite nicely.

Oh and in case you want to know, the fabric is: Lizzy House Hello Pilgrim Jewel Green and Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Black

It's Been a Busy 3 weeks!

Wow! Where do I begin? Here's the I-may-only-get-a-few-minutes-to-write blog post:

Malachi is now 24 days old... unbelievable!

My Mom had 2 weeks to visit and it's already over (insert sad face here)

 (Malachi as Baby Jesus in Bethlehem LIVE!)

Our church's production of Bethlehem LIVE! had 5,347 visitors this year  - Malachi was baby Jesus for 7.5 hrs in total and only missed 2 tours because he needed to eat... he did great! There's a great radio broadcast featuring this Winnipeg treasure here.

CLOTH DIAPERS (started over 2 years ago) ARE FINISHED!!!! This was a huge team effort. David cut, measured, purchased materials and got up early in the morning with Abigail so I could sleep. Mom spent many many hours sewing (including a couple of all-nighters!), also watched Abigail and Malachi so I could rest and even stitch ripped out my I'm-so-tired-I've-made-the-same-mistake-twice mishaps. Mom also purchased mis-measured (the few measurements I made) supplies and late night snacks. What started over 2 years ago is finally done and I don't see myself sewing any more diapers... ever!!!

(Late night sewing with my little helper)

My serger that David found at a garage sale for me last summer was serviced as a Christmas present and is up and running!! Now I just need to learn more than the basic function of it.

Malachi's birth story still coming, and might happen soon (now that things are slowing down... a bit)

• We are hoping to move in the new year... hoping we can get into these apartments in February... in suite laundry - hello!
• With all that's gone on this past month, I feel like I've already had Christmas - full of many many blessings!

I'll leave you with a family picture outtake...

... FAIL! (Twila, we need you!)

bloggy update

Ok, so it's been a month of being offline and I've missed my little blog. Here's a quick update of some crafty things and I will post more details in time.


Still loving baby wearing and so is Abigail!


Made a Love Winnipeg shirt for Abigail so she can love on our city, too.


Made David a shirt with Abigail's picture on it (details soon).


Made a flower for my buttercup bag.


Going greener... Sewed a washable bag liner for my diaper genie. (Remember, I'm using cloth diapers)


Loving on this little beauty - she's getting dedicated on Sunday! It will be my first Mother's Day.

Babywearing is the best!

Remember this post? Well, here it is! Thanks to Meg at Sew Liberated and Lisa from Full Circle Baby for this Moby Wrap. I love it. I need to practice tying it (I had help from a friend for these pics), but I am so excited. The Moby Wrap is very comfortable and versatile.


I have done a lot of reading online about babywearing and the benefits. I was sold on it even before I tried it and now that I've been on the bus without a stroller and shopped the mall without a shopping cart, and walked to Best Buy to pick up David from work... I am even more convinced at how great it is.


My friend, Patty~Jean, is an expert babywearer and an inspiration. Her homemade slings are wonderful. Hey, maybe we could do a swap, PJ? I'll sew you a Mei Tai carrier and you can sew me a sling?



There are some great online resources if you are looking to make your own carriers. The Mei Tai I made came from a free tutorial, and Jan Andrea has great links for all sorts of tutorials and patterns. Meg sells a great Mei Tai pattern here and there's always Etsy for pre-mades or patterns!


There is a great article on babywearing for dads here. David had other ideas as to what to use the Moby Wrap for, though. Seriously, though, David is all for babywearing, but hasn't had much chance yet, because I've been hogging Abigail all to myself. He has used our store bought Snuggli and enjoyed that and it's calming effects on a little girl with a tummy ache.



Living in Winnipeg created some special online research on babywearing in the winter. Check out the "cadilac" of winter coats or patterns to make your own special coat for babywearing in the winter. Thankfully, the jacket I wore while I was pregnant fits over Abigail and we both stay nice and snug. I do need to get myself a neck cozy, though as that can get pretty cold.

The Mei Tai Baby Carrier

I am sold on babywearing. Check out information on babywearing here. Here's my Mei Tai carrier - pattern courtesy of Walter & Veronica (UPDATE: THIS BLOG NO LONGER EXISTS AND SO THE LINK IS GONE). The outside fabric was a gift from my sis, Crystal, who brought it all the way from Uganda.


I look sleepy because I just woke up from a nap and David was in a hurry to take the pictures (most of them turned out with my eyes shut)


(you can see the raw edges peaking through at the straps, I need to tweek it a bit for the next one) but, Abigail is so content in here.