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How to Make a Fauxby Wrap and Why I’m Never Sewing Again

Maybe that’s an overstatement – I may sew again someday.  But not for a long, long time.

never sew againI know how to use a sewing machine.  I know how to thread it, wind the bobbin, and even insert the bobbin.  I know how to make it go.

bad sewing

But clearly, I do not know how to do it well.  I don’t know how to work the tension, can’t sew a straight line, break needles left and right, and generally have a mess on my hands when I’m finished.

 

For some projects, my skills are enough.  Hem a curtain?  I can probably do that.  Sew (myself) a pillow cover? I can do that, too.  Beyond that, however, and we’re in trouble.

That didn’t stop me from promising that I’d make a Fauxby (fake Moby) Wrap for my friend Karen and her baby.  I declared that I would do so somewhere in the middle of the pregnancy. 

The baby is 3 months old now.  And the Faux-by Wrap is finally done.

It wasn’t really that hard. 

Step 1: Purchase 3 yards stretchy jersey knit fabric.  I found this ADORABLE ruffly striped gray.  Neutral enough to use everyday, but feminine, too. Thank you, Hobby Lobby.

fake moby wrap

Step 2: Cut fabric down the middle length-wise.  If you leave it folded in half for a couple of months, there will be a nice line for you to follow.

DIY moby wrap

Step 3: Right sides together, sew the two long strips together on the short end.  Did that make sense?  When you’re done, you want one 6-yard-long piece of fabric.  I put two seams there, just for extra baby-carrying strength.

fauxby wrap

Step 4:  Watch videos on how to wrap up, without dropping the baby.

fabric baby carrier

Like I said, not a very hard project.  I only broke the bobbin thread once.  I had thread on hand that almost matched the fabric.  And the stretchy fabric didn’t give me too hard of a time.

But, this project has spurred me to pack up the sewing machine and put it away.  Technically, that’s where it was before making the Fauxby, but now I’m more determined than ever not to get it out again.

You see, there are things you CAN DIY, and then there are things you SHOULD DIY.  Sewing projects are not things that I should DIY.

In the case of this adorable Fauxby, I didn’t save a lot of money by making it myself.  Plus, I did not enjoy making it myself.    So next time, I won’t make it myself.  I’ll hire it out, and spend my time on the things that I enjoy!

IMG_7893

Someday, I’ll sew again.  But I’d like to take a class, or at least spend a good amount of time teaching myself; practicing, learning about the different settings on the machine, the proper way to cut out a pattern, the different types of needles, attachments, and whatever else that I don’t even know I don’t know.

Is there something you’ve attempted to DIY that you really shouldn’t have?  Knitting? I failed that DIY.  Painting furniture? That’s not as easy as it looks, either. What have you decided to leave to the “experts?”

Would you like to comment?

  1. I feel your pain. Some sewing projects are just like that; it's like your machine and the fabric are conspiring against you.

    I hate laying flooring. HATE. IT. It's the one project that never goes right. I had to redo the tile in my bathroom four times and I'm going to just tear it up and put something else in when I'm ready to face it again. I have peel and stick tiles in my kitchen, and some of them just spontaneously cracked in half last week after being down for almost three years. I found out the hard way that my walls weren't square when I put down laminate in my living room and hall. Grout doesn't stay between my tiles. Tiles move three days after they've been laid. It's a nightmare, and if I can avoid it, I'm not doing it again. I will do anything else--paint, plumb, wire, glaze windows, insulate, frame a wall--but I don't want to lay any more floors.

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    1. I feel like an amateur now! I've never laid flooring, tiled, glazed windows, or plumbed before!

      And I think I'll keep trying to avoid those things. :)

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  2. It was a knit! That takes even more knowledge, special needles, and practice runs. Pat yourself on the back, you did well.

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  3. This made me laugh because I so DESPERATELY want to sew...but haven't really had (or rather, taken) the time to learn. I can get all set up, but like you I have no idea about tension because I tried a few burp cloths when I was pregnant and they went all warped because it was too taught?! I dunno.... I buy most of my homemade/sewn items!

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    1. I know - tension is so tricky! I don't know how it works, either!

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  4. Sewing is the same for me, Katie. I can make some functional items, but my seams aren't usually pretty and I have a terrible time understanding sewing pattern instructions!

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    1. Seriously, I think you need an engineering degree to understand patterns!

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  5. The title of this post made me LOL. I, too, have had DIY projects that turned out as expensive or more than paying someone else for it. And now that I think about it... a few involved a sewing machine. Feel your pain!

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  6. Well, I think it looks awesome and heh, I'd love to have a sewing machine but I haven't touched one since high school.

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    1. I got one as a wedding gift, and it has been handy, but I'm just not doing it justice. SOME day...

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  7. I am about at the ability you are except have no sewing machine. I really want to get one so my daughter and I can learn together. I think that would be fun. I am thinking if I made the moby...my friend wouldn't be my friend any more cause the baby might have ended up on the floor!! Have a great day!

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    1. That WOULD be fun! The lady who cut the fabric at Hobby Lobby suggested the double seam, just in case. :)

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  8. Love your honesty! I was just starting to believe I should give sewing a try but you reminded me that there are some things that maybe I just shouldn't :)

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    1. HEY! Jantina! I know you! Can't forget such a unique name!

      And yeah, just don't even start sewing.

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  9. You make me laugh Katie! I love the second step tip of leaving the fabric folded so you have a line... I use to sew quite a bit but I don't get my sewing machine out very much besides to fix pants and shirts when the pile gets high! I'm hoping that when I get our porch organized the way I want it that I'll have the sewing machine set up all the time, rather than having to putting it away/getting it out pattern that I have to do now.

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    1. Yes, a separate space for it would help immensely. But, alas, there is no such space. :(

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  10. I will have to try this! Sewing can definitely be frustrating, but the unique things I can create with it makes me keep plugging away. Cute fabric choice and I am laughing so hard at your selfie…you are too funny ;-)

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    1. You are a fantastic seamstress!

      And I had to find a model for the fauxby! I know better than to try and sew when my kids are home, so...

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