I made a whale meh dai over 9 years ago.  It was one of my favourites, made from a Didymos Eisblau which is a gorgeous cotton, wool and silk blend.

Now that my youngest child is 10 it seemed a shame to have it lying around unused and why buy new fabric to make a bag when there is lovely fabric that could be repurposed? I made a bag for my sisters birthday a few years ago (it was the first bag I made) and she was very happy with it so I decided to make another for myself. The pattern I used is the Shine on Sling Bag by Little Moo Designs. The bag has a ring closure on the strap and a zipper pocket inside.   

This is the first time I have made a bag with wrap fabric and the fabric is quite thick so next time I think I'll change some of the interfacing as it made the seams quite bulky. I lined it in some dark blue starry fabric.  I had to piece the feature pocket as there wasn't enough fabric in the hood to fit, but I quite like the effect.  I also had to add some extra fabric for the other crossover front pocket as there wasn't quite enough fabric in the carrier. Overall I am quite pleased with it.  It's sturdy and the shoulder strap is quite cushy so will be great for carrying my library books. I'm glad this carrier has a new lease of life (which is white I love about upcycling).

This carrier has gone on lost of adventures with us including to Anakie fairy park and strawberry picking!

And now it will accompany me on new adventures as a bag.

This pattern includes adjustable pouch with curved seam, non-adjustable pouch, ring sling with optional pocket in the tail and ideas for embellishments, and a mei tai/meh dai).  Don't have time to make your own?Buckle doll carriers are available to purchase in my shop. 

Need any help or want to show off your creations? Join my Facebook chatter group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374361185941904/

• The pouches and slings can be made in three sizes, which I based on measuring my 3 children, toddler (18 months), preschooler, (4 years), primary schooler (8 years).  The preschooler size will fit most young children.  Instructions are included on how to measure your child for a more individualized fit.
• You can make the pouches and sling in two widths.  The smaller width is suitable for small dolls (and great to use up narrow scraps of fabric), but the wider is fine too and easier for small children to use. 
• The pouches and slings are miniature versions of Mum’s but because it doesn’t have to be weight bearing, have fun with your fabrics! You can use any type of fabric but very thin, slippery or stretchy fabrics may not work as well.
• Hems – rolled hem- fold and press 12mm , fold over again and sew.
• Seams – 12mm
• To make your sling or pouch reversible cut two pieces in your contrasting fabrics, sew fabrics together leaving a space for turning.  Turn right side out and slipstitch opening closed or topstitch if desired.  Sew the sling or pouch as instructed, no need to hem.

Non-adjustable Pouch 

Material needed –toddler                43cm x 89cm
                                       - preschooler      43cm x 101.5cm
                                       - primary schooler  43cm x 112cm
 
For a narrower width pouch suitable for small dolls only - cut to a 35.5cm width
 
For a pouch that will fit your child exactly, measure your child from the edge of their shoulder to the outside edge of their hip.  Double this measurement and add 10cm.  Add a few inches to this to allow for growth if desired.

​1/  Fold material in half widthwise and lengthwise.  Measure 5cm from the top end, then measure 4cm along the short open end – draw a gentle cure between these points.
 

2/  Open out the material.  There should be a gentle curve or ‘smile’, on both ends.  Right sides together sew the ‘smiles’ together.  You can finish your sling now or sew a French seam (an enclosed seam) for a neater finish but it is not necessary unless you are making a reversible pouch.
3/  To make a French seam.  After sewing the ‘smiles’ together, fold the seam over so the raw edge is enclosed and sew.  This will leave an enclosed flap of material sticking out, sew this down to the sling carefully.
4/  Fold pouch in half lengthwise, creating a loop of fabric with one open side, this is where the doll will sit.  You’re done!
  
Adjustable Pouch 
​
This pouch will fit a child across all the size ranges given so you don’t need to make a new pouch as your child grows.  If you wish to make it longer (i.e. to fit an older primary schooler) add more to the length and add more strips of Velcro spacing them as per the instructions below.  You will need 45cm of 15mm wide Velcro for the basic pouch.
 
Cut material to 43cm x 122cm, then follow steps 1-4 above. 
 
1/ Cut across the top of the pouch where it is folded, opposite the curved seam.
2/ Turn the sling inside out and right sides together sew across each open end.  Turn right side out.  Your sling will look like this:
 

​3/  You are now ready to add Velcro.  Cut 3 strips, 15cm each.  Sew the Velcro to the end of the sling 12mm from the top and 1.5 cm from the folded end.  Sew the Velcro to one layer of the pouch only, open out the pouch as you sew.  This will give you a neater finish. 

Sew the velcro strips to the sling 4cm apart.  Repeat on the other edge of the sling making sure you sew on the correct side so the velcro will overlap when the sling is worn.
 
Cutting down and unused adult sized pouch to fit a child
 
1/ Turn the edges of the pouch under 4 cm and sew
2/ Use the above measurements from the doll pouch pattern, or adjustable pouch pattern or measure your child as described.
3/ Open out the sling so there is two layers only with the wrong side facing out.  Measure out the size needed and pin or tack the sling along the top flat folded edge. 
4/  Try the sling on your child.  If it is correct sew across the top edge.  You can cut off the excess fabric or when you turn the sling right side out, tuck the flap or extra material created underneath (or sew it down).  You can let out this seam as your child grows.

​The wider width sling is on the left.  Both have pockets (the one on the right going across the whole width) and were made using child sized plastic bracelets for the rings. (note: the bracelets broke after a few years of light use so for a longer lasting sling you may want to use aluminum sling rings)


 
 
Fabric needed:  35.5cm width for small dolls and 51cm for larger dolls.
Length
- 130cm for toddler
- 141.5cm  for preschooler
- 152.5cm for older child
or alternatively drape a tape measure completely around your child’s body (shoulder to hip and let the edge of the tape hand down to where you want the tail to end, and use this measurement).  You can also make the sling a longer length than you think you will need, then try the sling on your child, then cut and hem to the correct length.  (note: a tail longer than your child’s knees may be a tripping hazard).
 
Sling Rings – Use child sized plastic bracelets (the ones I used were 5.5cm in diameter).  You can also buy thin metal rings around this size from craft shops or alternatively you can purchase small size sling rings from slingrings.com which come in a great range of colours.
 
1/ Hem the long edges or your fabric.
2/ Fold and press one short edge down 12mm (not necessary for a reversible sling)
3/ Fold the sling in half lengthwise.  This will create a pouch like pocket for the doll to lie in.  The sling can be used on both shoulders but to switch shoulders you will need to rethread it so the open sides of the ‘pocket’ are towards your child’s neck.
4/ Measure and mark (15cm) across the top short edge.
5/ Gather the top edge in your hands and thread through the center of both rings.  Pull the material through until you reach the measurement you marked earlier, then pin and sew along this line.

6/.  You will now have a long piece of fabric with rings on the end.  Thread the sling by gathering the short straight end, then threading it over one ring and under the other like a belt buckle.
7/ Try the sling on your child.  Cut and hem to the desired length.  Tip: One sling I made was too short so I sewed a contrasting fabric to the end of the sling (hemmed), using twice as much length as I needed.  Then I folded it up and sewed the edges together, leaving the top open, to make a pocket.
 
Decorating your Sling/Adding Pockets
Some ideas:

• Sew a ribbon along the bottom edge
• Sew a strip of contrasting material along the length of the sling to make a tail accent (check out quilting fabrics for some beautiful prints).  To do this measure the width of the tail, add 2.5cm, then turn and press all edges 12mm.  Try a length of 23cm.  A fabric accent may make the tail too thick to pull through the rings, so it’s best o thread the sling and pin the accent on, then see how it fits on your child, before deciding on the length of your accent/pocket.
• For a pocket follow the steps above, hemming one short edge.  Attach the fabric as described but leave the top hemmed edge open.  You can add Velcro to the top to stop your child’s treasures falling out.  If you have made the wider sling, you can make the pocket smaller by dividing the accent in thirds, and only leaving the middle section open at the top.

 

This carrier will fit a larger rag doll/teddy to a small doll.  A small doll may look lost in the carrier, if so, roll up the bottom the carrier to make it shorter before putting the carrier on and fold down the curved top if desired.  Putting the doll inside the carrier with ‘legs in’ will also help.

   
​Material Needed:  Body – 26cm x 41cm
                                         Shoulder Straps (cut 2) – (Length) Toddler –106.5cm
                                                                                                                    Preschooler –119.5cm
                                                                                                                     Older Child – (140cm-150cm)
                                          Waist Straps (cut 2) - 67.5cm
                                                                                               (width) –thin straps- 8cm
                                                                                                                   wide straps- 15cm
 
Cut one body piece from fashion fabric, and one body piece and the four straps from a coordinating colour.
 
If you wish you can make the shoulder straps 150cm long, then cut and hem the end of the straps after trying it on your child or just keep this length and wrap the excess around the carrier a few times before tying.  This length will fit your child as they grow. The straps are designed to be long enough to fit over a large teddy bear, be crossed over your child’s back then brought around to the front to be tied in a bow in the middle of the carrier (which helps to keep the doll from falling out) or crossed again and tied in the back (see above for picture).  If you prefer a knot rather than a bow (or a different tying method) you can get away with a shorter strap length.  See below for more wearing/tying instructions.
           
1/ Cut out the body and straps.  Place the two body pieces together.  Measure 5cm from the top of the body on either side and cut a gentle curve across these points so it looks like the top of a tombstone.
 
 

:2/ Fold straps in half lengthwise.  Sew, leaving a gap for turning.  Turn and press straps.  Topstitch if desired, it’s not necessary but will give a more professional finish.
3/ On the wrong side of one body piece pin the waist straps on the bottom edge of the carrier body 12mm from the edge, just above seam allowance, and about 2.5cm deep.  Sew around the edges of the straps to secure them to the body.
3/ Place the shoulder straps on the top edge of the carrier body, before the start of the curve (see diagram below).  Pin the shoulder straps at around a 45 degree angle.  It is not really necessary to measure the exact angle but do make sure after you pin one strap you fold the carrier in half and make sure the other strap is pinned in the same place/angle.
4/ Right sides together sew the remaining body piece to the body piece you have attached the straps to.  Don’t sew over straps and leave a space for turning on the bottom edge.  Turn and press under seam allowance at the straps, then topstitch around the entire carrier body to enclose strap and turning hole.
 

Wearing Instructions
 
Front carry: Tie waist strap, the plain coloured side of the carrier hanging down like an apron.  Place doll in front of you and bring the body of the carrier over the doll. 
Toss straps over your shoulders, cross them across your back, and bring them back around to the front.  Tie in front across the middle of the carrier (recommended), or under (or over) the dolls legs.
 
Back carry: As above just start with the carrier around your back instead of in front.  Variation: instead of crossing the straps across your chest bring them back under your arms like a backpack strap, then tie in the back, or twist the straps and bring the straps back around to the front again and tie at your waist.

These patterns use a 6mm seam 

Ring Sling
​
​A thin fabric, like poplin or voile, will pass through the rings more easily.  I use 15mm split rings (look in the jewelry/beading section of your local craft shop).  A slightly larger size should also work, especially if you choose a thicker fabric.  

​1/ Cut one piece of material 38cm x 11.5cm
2/ Hem all edges.
3/ Gather one short edge together with your hands and thread it through both rings.  Pull the end through about 3cm, then fold it over and sew.  You will now have a long piece with rings on the end.  Thread the sling by gathering the straight end, then threading it over one ring and under the other like a belt buckle.
 
Adding a Pocket
1/Cut a piece of fabric 6.5cm x 6cm.  Hem the top edge and turn all other edges under and press. 
2/ Sew the pocket to the sling.

Adding a Fabric Accent or other decoration

​1/ Cut one piece of contrasting fabric – 6.5cm x 10cm
2/ Press all edges under 6mm, then topstitch to the sling.
 
Other decorating ideas
 * Sew a ribbon or decorative braid to the bottom edge
* Hem the top edge of the accent piece to make a large pocket.
* Add an iron on embellishment.
 
Pouch
​
1/ Cut one piece of fabric 21cm x 11.5cm
2/ Hem the long edges
3/ Right sides together sew the short edges together, then sew over the raw edge with a zig zag stitch to enclose it.
4/ Fold the pouch in half lengthwise so you have a tube with one end open and one folded.
Note: Bratz type dolls have a thinner body.  You can make the sling around 2cm shorter for a snugger fit, depending on what size ‘baby’ the Bratz doll will be wearing in her sling.

Mei Tai
​
Fabric Needed
Body- 2 pieces 8.5cm x 9.5cm
Straps – 1m length of ribbon, around 1.5cm in width. Cut into two shoulder straps 26.5cm long and 2 waist straps 23.5cm long
1/ On the wrong side of one body piece (above the seam allowance) pin two ribbons at around a 45 degree angle on the top edge, then on the bottom edge pin the two waist straps on horizontally. Sew.
2/ Place the two body pieces right sides together and pin in place, then sew around the body avoiding the straps and leaving a hole at the bottom for turning.
3/ Turn right sides out and topstitch, closing all holes.
 

​See above for wearing instructions, but in a back carry the straps stay on Barbie’s shoulders better if the straps are crossed high on the doll’s chest.

I thought I would share a poem I wrote about being close to my babies.  Do you have a poem to share?  Send me the poem - via my contact form, (and let me know the source) and I'll put it on my blog.

Little Night Owl

Let him cry is want they said

Come, let my arms be you bed

Your sleepy eyes are now content

Little Night Owl, so small so new

Time passed and you grew.

 

Made your room cute, look full of sheep !

Still only with me could you sleep

Your feet too big for the little mattress next to our bed

Your little pillow too small for your head

Bedtime stories and songs you like

Though being by yourself you still dislike

Time passed and you grew.

 

Now you’re older you sleep on your own

Though your daddy and me are not alone

For now I have another little one

 With red hair and soft brown eyes just like you.

Time passed and you grew.




At night he sleeps with me cuddled close,

During the day he sleeps in a sling

in the warmth of my love for him.

Little Night Owl, so small so new

Time passed and you grew.