Actually it was primarily for Mr G, and it wasn't a cocktail (hmmm, but if it was it would probably have lots of Cointreau in it...) but a baby sling.
I've been very pro-sling for ages and was researching them for months before Baby S was here to need one. Firstly I got completely carried away with Hotslings and all their fancy designer fabrics. Unfortunately they are sized, and despite the fact that Mr G and I measured myself three times and then went with the largest measurement, the one I got was too small and will have to depart Stash Villas via Ebay when I get round to it.
Then I got a Babasling. This works quite well for me but not for Mr G, whose back it a little on the tempremental side. So I decided to make one, mostly because these flipping slings are at least £30 a pop before you even get to talking about international postage.
As I think I've mentioned on the baby page, Big Mama Slings is a font of all knowledge sling-wise and not only do they sell a whole heap of different sorts, they also provide a load of links for DIY slings. I was feeling very under confident about my sling making, mostly because I had never met a mei tai in real life and was worried about size and fit, and most of the DIY tutorials were just text based with no illustrations (something my brain needs post-partum). However I found a tutorial by Brooke at Still Learning Life with a reasuring photo of the body with dimensions so used this as a base and took the plunge.
Brooke's version uses fabric ties but I amended the dimensions and used webbing and those locking buckle things you get on messenger bags instead.
I used a semi-heavy weight dark demin from my LFS (which managed to turn my fingers blue even though I prewashed it) and because I wanted to be able to wear it myself with a bit more artiness than Mr G can cope with, I added a panel of Saffron Craig fabric (which I won from Seamstar ages ago) on the other side.
Sadly there is one small problem. Baby Stash doesn't like it.
Perhaps it cuts into his legs (although it looks ok) but he cries every time he goes in it - hence me looking rather pensive in the photo. Hopefully he will grow into it because it supports his head nicely and will be better from Mr G's back, but at the moment it's a recipe for tears.
Now it's time to prise out my contact lenses, make a bottle and do the last feed of the day. If things go well and Baby S is amenable, in possibly 6 days time, we will have a baby who sleeps for 12 hours! Pretty impressive if I say it myself, and a total godsend (even now) to my sanity. People, go buy that book, even if you don't have a baby!
