Sewing

DIY Sling

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This was definitely not a project I ever wanted to sew. Natalie broke her arm sledding on Black Friday (maybe next year we’ll go shopping instead – it’s a bit safer maybe? haha.) Of course the broken arm wasn’t a planned event, but when the doctor said she was in-between sling sizes and handed us the navy blue standard issue sling — my DIY mind set in motion.

She was in pain when we first got home but the next day I had her pick out a couple fabrics. And who wouldn’t love a Jeni original? This was made with just 3 fat quarters from Jeni‘s newest collection – Geometric Bliss.

Natalie picked her favorites and it wasn’t very long until I had it quilted and bound and back on her arm. I just wanted this to a be a little fun in her day, something to comfort her. Like a big mom hug all day long. She has since been the hit of the Orthopedics waiting room. All the nurses kept telling her how awesome the sling is. I wish I could make slings for all those little broken bones.

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A couple details if you ever happen to need a super cool sling: I used the sling we got as a template, and reused it’s comfortable and adjustable strap. I used a seam ripper and removed the strap from the old sling. It was made like a quilt – quilting cotton/ batting/quilting cotton all quilted together. Then I cut out the sling shape, sewed up the elbow seam, and bound it with double fold bias tape. Lastly I reattached the strap.

sling

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DIY Sling
Fabrics: Geometric Bliss by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery Fabrics
Re-used adjustable neck strapsling

 

41 thoughts on “DIY Sling

  1. Jessica says:

    Yikes–from the looks of that cast it was a pretty nasty fracture! When she is done with it, would you mind posting some pics of the strap? I’m thinking this could be a neat charity project to make and donate to the children’s hospital or local ER but I’d have to figure out how to make a comfy strap. Hope Natalie is feeling better soon!

    1. Marlene Norton says:

      Excellent idea! I’d like to do the same.

  2. Jeni says:

    While I am sad that Natalie has to have a sling, I’m glad it’s such a cute one! What a trooper, hope she has an easy recovery! 🙂

  3. Ines says:

    Poor Natalie! Hope her arm will be better soon.

    Hugs Ines♥

  4. Robyn S. says:

    I’m sorry to hear about your little girl’s arm, but what a pretty sling she gets to wear!

  5. cristina says:

    I’m sorry! I hope she recovers soon!
    however, the work is been great!
    Merry Christmas and kisses from Catalonia!

  6. Grandma G says:

    Sorry to hear about the arm. I hope she’s right-handed, at least. Way to go, Mom, with the sling! Awesome!

  7. That is an awesome sling!

  8. Amy says:

    That’s so much cooler than the standard sling. I wish we could add mommy touches to all kids problems so easily, don’t you?

  9. SoozeM says:

    Oh no poor Natalie, and what a huge (but very pretty hearts!) cast! Love the sling, but so sorry she needed one!

  10. Nana B says:

    Nice job Mom!

  11. Patti says:

    I used to do this kind of stuff when my children were young…and they loved it! But now they think I’m a little nutty! Enjoy it while you can! Personally, I love it!

  12. Erin Whitcraft says:

    Tell me you stole Coach’s toboggan out of the garage! Poor Natalie – hope she’s feeling better soon. Happy holidays to you all, Anna!

  13. Jill says:

    Way to make lemonade! I always wanted to break a bone as a kid so friends could sign my cast. This would have sent me over the top!

  14. I hope she’s feeling better soon; I’m pinning just in case – but I hope we never need this! Thanks for sharing.

  15. kislanykim says:

    awww, you’re such a good mom. if she has to endure her broken arm, at least she is doing it, as you said with a homemade HUG everywhere she goes. I’m so sorry she broke her arm, and I hope it will all heal up just right!

  16. Angie says:

    Of course she would have the cutest sling ever…you’re so talented! Im sure it makes her feel so much better about having to use it. Breaks my heart that she has to have that cast though!

  17. Vicki says:

    Not good that she broke her arm, but if one must wear a sling….this is the coolest one to wear!!

  18. Ell says:

    Oh no! I hope that she’s feeling better soon!

  19. Wendy says:

    Very Cool–the sling, not the arm 🙂 She’s glad her mama sees!

  20. Nadeen says:

    I hope Natalie has a speedy recovery! I’m sure the Mom-made sling will help! At the very least it makes the cast and situation a little prettier.

  21. elsabean says:

    Hope Natalie’s arm heals in no time ~ she gets to go around in perfect style! So clever of you!

  22. What a great idea. It makes the need for a sling much more bearable to have such a gorgeous and comfortable one! Praying for a complete recovery (and understanding all about broken bones…having broken many over the years).

  23. Laurel says:

    Aww, poor girl (and Mom!). I bet that super awesome sling will help her heal faster. 😉 Either way, sending lots of happy healing vibes her way.

  24. aww poor thing! At least she’s healing in style!

  25. Vanessa says:

    What a nice mom 🙂 Looks great!! PS. Gute Besserung 🙂

  26. Susan in OK says:

    It’s been a long, long time since my daughter broke her arm. She didn’t have a cast. She just had a sling. She played soccer. The slings were very flimsy (yes they were a flimsy – no quilting then). I used web straps for the straps and they appeared to be just like the straps on the one we got at the doctor’s office. I wasn’t into quilting then anyhow. So, I used the web you can pull out after you cross stitch and make her a sling for her soccer team and one for her school. So, she had three slings, including the navy one from the clinic. It’s been a long time. She was in the second grade and I think this is her thirteenth year of teaching. I wonder if she remembers her special slings. You are great mom to help to put the focus on something other than the physical pain. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

  27. That is just pure genius. You should sell these. So sirry for your daughter and wishing her a speedy recovery. She has one clever mamma.

  28. Johanna says:

    Poor kid! What a great sling though! Funny how we can turn anything into a sewing project. My famous words to the kids seem to be “I can make you one” or my favorite “let’s pick out fabric, I can make (insert whatever it is they want) one much better”. Hugs to your cutie! Broken bones aren’t fun. Kids bounce back so much quicker than us adults.

  29. kristin says:

    Aw you did good, mama. I’d like more info on exactly how you made the sling too, for possible future reference. Hope Natalie recovers quickly, poor little gal!

  30. Brandy F. says:

    Oh my! That IS clever! Poor kiddo, but what an awesome mom you are to have made her a customized sling! It makes me want to start sewing slings for local hospitals….maybe that’ll be on my new year’s list…along with the 50 other things I want to do. I hope I never have the occasion to make one, but I’m glad to know that it is possible if I do!

  31. Carolyn says:

    What a great idea!!! I hope she’s feeling better and healing quickly!

  32. Sarah says:

    My mother made me a couple of scarf-like slings to tie on me when I broke my arm at 1 1/2. Later, my sister and I used them as headscarves to keep the sun off of our heads and to play dress-up. What a cool memory for you daughter, too.

  33. Awe…what a great way to make her feel better

  34. Barbara says:

    Could you show a photo of her from the back so we can see how/where the strap fastens across her back?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Barbara, I didn’t get a pic of her from the back. The back of the strap (by the elbow) attaches just like the front straps (with the rings), a simple sewn rectangle. It’s just like the standard sling from the hospital was made. 🙂

      1. chilebeanz says:

        Thanks, Anna! That tells me what I need to know. I’d like to make some “loaners” for our retirement community’s medical equipment room. I’m wondering if they could be made from quilted place mats as well. Fractured wrists are a common injury among elderly women. I also want to make bags to attach to walkers and scooters.

  35. Dana says:

    Genius! Such a great idea. And adorable of course!

  36. Ashley says:

    I SO wish that I had found this when my (then 3 year old) broke her humerus last spring. She even had to sleep with her sling, and the one issued by the hospital could have used a little TLC. This is lovely!

  37. beverly says:

    Am I just not seeing the dimensions? I need to make one of these in a hurry and don’t have many supplies to work with. Would really be great to have the dimensions. Thanks. ✂✂✂

  38. B Evans says:

    I to have a badly broken elbow, been 3 weeks, 6 yo go.looking for ideas on tops, easy on & off. Any ideas?

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