Water Ring Sling

Good Mesh SHOULD...

• Be called "athletic mesh" or "football mesh"
• Have a regular pattern of small holes
• Holes should be very small, but clearly see-through
• Have a little bit of stretch from selvedge to selvedge
• Be 100% polyester or nylon
• Have a distinct "vertical" pattern between the holes on the back side of the fabric

Examples of good mesh:

Good Mesh SHOULD NOT...

• Contain any rayon, spandex, elastic, cotton, etc
• Have any significant stretch lengthwise (from end to end)
• Have large fishnet-like holes
• Have very tiny, dimple-like holes
• Be labled "utility mesh"
• Be labeled as "athletic knit" (it may be labeled as a "knit" fabric in general, but most "athletic knits" have small dimple-like holes and far too much stretch)
• Be labled "wicking mesh"

Examples:
Small dimples are a sign of wicking mesh Safe for a long, 3-pass stretchy wrap Not safe for short wraps or slings.	Netting or "Utility Mesh" Not safe for ANY babywearing purposes	Holes too small; like has 4-way stretch Probably safe for a stretchy wrap Not safe for slings or short wraps	More Utility Mesh Not safe for ANY babywearing purposes

Confirmed Sources

• "Football Mesh" from stylishfabric.com (also sold on Amazon)
• Precut pieces from Babywearings.ca (Canada only)

In general, 3 yards is plenty of fabric to make even an extra long sling with a deep, floating gathered shoulder. The majority of wearers are comfortable with a medium sling, which can be made with just over 2 yards. The easiest option is to buy 3 yards, sew in the shoulder, and then try it on and cut the tail to the desired length. This also gives you the option of chopping the shoulder off and starting over if you were to mess up while sewing, as this is a tricky, slippery fabric to work with.

For more information: Click Here

Keep in mind that athletic mesh will not shrink, so you do not need to account for shrinkage when buying it.

The correct mesh can be used for a variety of woven wrap carries, but should never be used for knotless, tension-based carries like as a no sew ring sling or No No No Hip Carry.

Standard width for a ring sling is between 26"-32"

If the mesh you bought is 60" wide, the easiest option is to simply cut it down the middle. Use the holes in the mesh as a guideline for cutting a straight line.

At this point, if you want, you may be able to use the mesh without rings as a "shorty wrap," depending on how much fabric you bought and what your base size is. If you are between a base 5-8 and bought 3 yards of fabric, you likely have enough to use it for a traditional sling carry.

If you want to use it as a ring sling, keep in mind that mesh is too slippery for a no-sew ring sling, so you will need to sew your rings in place or use a hitch knot (like Jasmine's Hip Carry uses) to secure the shoulder.

Athletic mesh does NOT need to have the edges hemmed, but you may choose to fold and hem or serge the edges for a more finished look. This is completely optional, though.

For more information on buying safe rings and country-specific sources, click here.

For athletic mesh, you will want a set of small (2" or so) sling rings. Both aluminum and nylon rings are safe and simply a matter of preference. Be sure to use weight-tested rings designed for babywearing from a reputable source. A lot of people prefer the thinner feel and grip of aluminum rings, but others prefer the feel of nylon on bare skin in the sun.

While you can technically do any shoulder style for a water sling, many people prefer a pleated shoulder for this application since, after the sling is wet, it can be very difficult (nearly impossible) to adjust anything, so having a more "shaped" shoulder that won't bunch up can be preferable.

Remember to use 100% polyester thread when sewing the shoulder. While polyester is always recommended for all ring slings due to its strength, it is particularly important when sewing a water sling. Do not use cotton thread that could absorb water or be damaged by chlorine.

Sleeping Baby Productions' video on sewing a pleated water ring sling: Click Here

Along with following the basic TICKS rules for safe babywearing like you would with a regular ring sling, keep some extra safety precautions in mind when wearing in or near water.

• Baby should always be on your front or hip while in/near water.
• Make sure to stay aware of baby's airway and the water level - inhaling splashes of water can be just as dangerous to an infant as being submerged!
• Make sure the sling is comfortably and safely tightened and adjusted before it gets wet - a wet sling is not adjustable.
• Water ring slings may slip or be diggy and uncomfortable when dry. If you are going to use it outside of the water, use caution. A knot in the tail just below the rings can prevent unwanted slipping. Some good ring sling learning videos:
• "How to Thread a Ring Sling" by Wrapping Rachel
• "(basics) Newborn ringsling 'classic'" by wrapyouinlove
• "How to use a Ring Sling with a Newborn" by Wrapping Rachel
• "Babywearing (basics) : Ringsling (classic)" by wrapyouinlove
• "How to do a hip carry in a ring sling with an older baby" by Wrapping Rachel
• "Ring Sling Troubleshooting: Getting a Great Seat" by Wrapping Rachel
• "Ring Sling Troubleshooting: Keeping the rings at corsage level" by Wrapping Rachel