DIY Babywearing-Self Portraits of Motherhood

If you follow me on Instagram or even see much on Facebook you know for the last month I have been working on this project.

Some background. I love to sew. I always have. Two years ago I bought a new sewing machine and it kind of has taken over some of my photography time. Many weeks my camera has set neglected and forlorn, but my sewing machine has been humming. Some weeks I feel bad about that, but the truth is I still have been doing both and consequently have been creating things I love. The kids gain the most from my sewing. We have also learned to wear clothes to their last threads because I patch pants, shirts, add fabric to dresses etc. It has saved us money in some aspects. Instead of buying underwear for Lilliana I whipped up an entire weeks worth for her out of scraps. Their fall wardrobe will consist of many homemade pieces as I have fabric or up cycled clothes to cut into new things. If you don't find me editing in the evening you find me at my sewing machine or cutting out patterns or maybe even selfish sewing like quilting. 

I also have relied heavily on baby carriers to get through the months of baby/toddler hood. Anthony being gone a lot when the other kids were babies made it very imperative I had a carrier for when I was making dinner or errands. Ari lived in my Ergo for months even until he was 2. When I found out we were expecting two I really worried I would not be able to wear them as much. I did at first wear them a lot together. That got to be too much. I discovered quickly woven wraps are just not for me with two. So patiently I have waited until they were sitting up so I could wear one on my back in a soft structured carrier almost like a back pack. I was planning to invest in a specific twin carrier for this. It was made by a twin mom and it is pure genius. Unfortunately no matter how I tried even buying used it just isn't in the budget. Anthony said I could get it knowing how much it would be used, but truly I couldn't do it. We are working towards some things for him and I felt selfish doing it. A great resource introduced me to a homemade option though. I will forever be grateful!! I am also thankful to others who have done this before and come up with a pattern for a tandem carrier. So away I went making a tandem carrier. It probably has been the hardest sewing project to date. I triple stitched everything. I also was meticulous in my work more so probably than I ever am, but it was so gratifying. Anthony actually helped me pick out the fabric. The best part is this converts to two carriers if we choose so Anthony can wear one baby and I wear the other. He was perfectly fine with wearing floral too. I offered to make him a special one, but he was fine with this. He really is such a keeper. The kids loved helping me do it too. Many nap times Eli and I would sit and talk and he would help hand me things or measure. Ari loves sitting by my machine and telling me how it works. So I let him take the pictures. Here is a basic before and after. Ari technically took the photo. I set it up and edited.

I had a much different plan for this photo of the finished project in action. I still may do it. Instead I was outside taking pictures of something and Lilliana asked to borrow my camera to take a picture of me. I told her yes figuring she would chop my head or something. Nope, the girl took one of my most favorite photos of myself. I may have no make up and not done hair, but I love it. She told me where to stand and took the photo. She did pretty good if you ask me. As I was pulling it off my memory card she came running in the computer room and told Ari, "I did that!" She is pretty proud of herself with good reason. Technically it isn't a self portrait, but I am present so we will take it!:) 

I added some fun features to this carrier which made it a little more time consuming. It has a big pocket on the front carrier for my wallet, phone, keys. The back carrier has a pocket for the hood or Anthony's things, but it is hidden. It also has an adjustable sternum strap. It is sooo comfortable and I do not even mind wearing 40 pounds. I also saved myself $140! If you are interested in the pattern it can be found HERE.  The owner of this store is amazing too. She accidentally messed up on my buckle order and she sent me the missed products and refunded me for them. I will always do business with her. If I didn't need more carriers I might be tempted to make some more. Right now though I don't need anymore! FYI  I can not make you a carrier for you. There are strict regulations in the US regarding this. You can definitely make your own though:) It is much easier than it looks!