Not long after my oldest sister was born, in the days before Baby Bjorns and the like, my dad dreamed up the first (to his knowledge) front-facing baby carrier. He sketched out his design, complete with a little pocket on the strap, and my mom sewed a prototype out of denim.
Here’s the carrier in action:
She was happy facing out, and my dad was so sure the carrier would catch on that he even applied for a patent. Nothing ever came of it, much like the hundreds of other make-a-million-bucks ideas he had over the years. He was an amazing schemer, that guy.
And 38 years later, we’re still carrying our babies that way:
The Oliver + S bear carrier from Little Things to Sew appears to be a pretty similar design, right down to the pocket, and when Kristin from skirt as top posted her cute little carrier, I showed Lila the photos. She got all wide-eyed and said, “Mommy! Could you make me wunna doze for my baby RIGHT NOW?” I’d had it flagged as a Christmas gift, but so much for that plan.
It was a simple project, and now that it’s made, I really can’t believe I waited this long. Lila totes her babies around everywhere, and lately she’s been stuffing them inside her shirt so she can use her hands for other things – but there’s a lot of re-stuffing required. So this thing makes perfect sense.
Hands-free baby wearing with no slippage!
I made the carrier out of denim (it’s a lightweight chambray from Robert Kaufman) to match my dad’s 1970s original. The pocket is cut from a Japanese fairy tale print I bought locally at Cool Cottons and used to cover her duvet – there are so many cute little scenes on that fabric, including a little girl feeding her chickens.
There was a good amount of strap left over after I attached the velcro tabs – I cut off the straps a couple inches below the velcro, satin stitched the ends, and looped them back up in case I need to let out the strap and lower the velcro as she gets bigger.
And here’s a peek at the lining – it’s a scrap left over from Lila’s Oliver + S sailboat pants. She found a critter to fit in the tiny pocket, too:
She’s worn this thing non-stop since I finished it – to the park, to the pool, out to eat – and I guess it’s not everyday you see a two year old with her baby doll in a front carrier, because it’s been getting a lot of attention around town. For some reason I find it ridiculously cute on her (hence the gratuitous number of photos in this post), and I’m thrilled that she loves it as much as I do.
Now baby can participate in all sorts of activities, such as searching for the secret stash of M&Ms:
And collecting eggs (definitely a two-handed activity):
That’s two days worth of eggs – we forgot to check yesterday. And how about that fashion-forward footwear?
Okay, that’s it. Happy baby wearing!
Ooooohhhhh you did such a great job, and Lila is such a cutie pie! The double decker doll-wearing, the footwear, everything…so adorbs. Your dad is pretty awesome, too! He should have gotten that patent… 🙂
aw thanks – and lila and i both thank you for making it first 🙂
It looks so sweet on her! And the Japanese fabric is terrific, would it still be available?
Thanks! It’s called Fairy Tale Friends – I just found it in blue at Superbuzzy, and it’s on sale: http://superbuzzy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=108_111&products_id=5546
This is my favorite post yet, and not just because I also wear my babies in the front. Between that and Saltwater sandals, Lila and I have so much in common!
Did she ever find the M&Ms?
Yeah, she found them, but they’ve been strategically placed just out of her reach 🙂
This is such a sweet post!
That is adorable! I was wondering if the carrier would hold a small doll–my daughter is currently toting my old Effanbee doll, which is only 11 inch size. But that baby looks like it’s fairly small, so I think I’ll give it a try!
I think your dad’s carrier is pretty awesome, too. 🙂
Thank you! An 11 inch doll will fit just fine – Lila’s baby is 12 inches. You should go for it!
i love the story about your dad. and the sweet picture of him too. he was ahead of his time for sure. love the pics of lila and the carrier. she sure does love her babies.
First of all, your dad is awesome! I love that pic!
And I love the carrier that you made. It is so adorable and perfect for your daughter. No wonder she loves it!
oh wow! that is such an amazing story about your dad, so cool!!! and you did a beautiful job sewing Lila her own carrier. 🙂
Fabulous! How fun to see that picture of your dad. Way to carry on the baby wearing/sewing tradition 😉
thanks everybody – this has to be one of my all-time favorite projects 🙂
Best post ever. I love you story!!!
Thanks for this post. My little one loves her baby so much, and wants to take her everywhere. I am definitely sewing her this carrier! Such a great idea!!!
Completely gorgeous! Well, everything you do is completely gorgeous 🙂
This is a bit of a side topic but I’ve been looking for a doll for my daughter and they creep me out a little bit, but the one Lila is carrying looks very sweet (I noticed she was carrying 2 dolls, one seems vintage and one looks newer). Would you happen to know the name of the newer looking doll?
yeah, there are lots of creepy dolls out there! the newer looking one is a Corolle Mon Premier Calin 12″ Baby Doll – Amazon carries them (and lots of other places, too). it’s a great little doll!
My with is looking for the pattern to be able to make one for our grand-daughter, where is it possible to get one please?
the pattern is in a book called “Little Things to Sew” by Liesl Gibson. http://www.amazon.com/Oliver-Little-Things-Sew-Accessories/dp/1584799102
Thanks for having so many photos! I’ve got mine made except for the buttons/velcro and just couldn’t wrap my brain around how the straps were supposed to go-(might have something to do with the fact that this is the first thing I’ve tried to sew since the new baby was born-sleep deprived). Quick search on the internet and your post was the first I found that had a couple good views of it. Thanks! Your daughter and your carrier are both adorable and I love everything you make btw.
It.s a lovely post !
Could you email me a copy of the pattern for this baby doll carrier
You can find it in Liesl Gibson’s book, Little Things to Sew!
Adorable! I m going to sew one for my daughter! She saw it on my pinterest and she asked me for one, but….she also asked for the doll!!!! The ones lila is carryng on the first photo! Could you tell me the name of the brand? I m from Spain and i ve never seen one like that before,it s so cute….
Thanks!
Madame Alexander Huggable Huggums! http://www.madamealexander.com/catalogsearch/result/?o=huggable%2Bhuggums&q=huggable+huggums