September Meeting

Our monthly meeting will be taking place the 4th of September, starting at 10:30 at the Casa Verde Common House.  Galen D. will be demoing our Carry of the Month, the half-Jordan's Back Carry with a Candy Cane Chest Belt.  We will also be discussing ideas on how to fund-raise so we can buy more carriers for our lending library.  

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Member Profile: Sarah Ann Moxley

Sarah and her son go shopping at Ikea in the buckle carrier
she made.

Local member Sarah Ann Moxley has been using her crafty skills to make a variety of different carriers for herself.   She first learned of babywearing through the instagram of a babywearing group in North Carolina and before the birth of her son already had several carriers waiting for him, including a ring sling she had sewed.

"I love that my son is always close to me," she said.  "If he's cranky and I wrap him, he feels safe and 98% of the time, he calms down."

Sarah's interest in making carriers continued to grow when she encountered one online that she didn't think she could get her hands on.

"Honestly, the reason I got into making my own carriers is because I fell in love with a Tula carrier I knew I wasn't going to be able to buy outright," she said.  "So I got to thinking I could probably make one of those!"

Since making her intial soft structure carrier (no easy feat!), she has gone on to make mei tais and a red Marvel comic print Onbuhimo, the latter of which was admired by many at the last babywearing meeting.  Sarah is also working on perfecting her wrap dyeing skills by practicing on linen fabric. 

"I love dyeing," she said.  "I'm pretty experienced at tie dye and am now working on my cold dyeing skills.  I've only ever dyed 100% linen....I am so scared to dye a wrap.  I am always browsing the swap for a cheap stained or ruined wrap to start out with."

She also has a few key pieces of advice for those who may also be looking into sewing carriers for themselves:  

"Safety is key.  Double stitch, and in most instances, triple stitch.  Do not skimp on materials.  Yes, the correct materials like canvas can run 15 dollars a yard, but the carrier is going to be holding your baby.  It has to be sturdy.  Please do your research before you just dive in." 

She recommended a mei tai as the perfect first carrier to try making and prefers this tutorial: http://www.grumblesandgrunts.com/2010/10/how-to-sew-mei-tai-baby-carrier.html

Sarah considers herself a huge babywearing advocate and enjoys sharing her knowledge about babywearing.

"When I am out, people are always starting at us, but in a curious way, always asking about different carriers and wraps I wear," she said.  "I am happy to tell them all about it...I love seeing my friends buy their first carriers and then get hooked."

The next project Sarah has in mind is a wrap conversion full buckle made from Girasol Symphuo.    

**This post was written by Paula R.

Local Store Review: Baby Cotton Bottoms

Group member Dorinda B. is an self-described "avid customer" of Baby Cotton Bottoms.  Here she shares her review on what makes this local store so great!

Baby Cotton Bottoms (BCB) is a small, mama-owned business in old Colorado Springs. They are well stocked with cloth diapers and diapering accessories, but also carry a wide variety of other items including natural sunscreen and diaper lotions, soft structured baby carriers and wraps, nursing bras and necklaces, swaddle wraps, and toys.  BCB also hosts a variety of classes (informational, Mama and Me Yoga, cloth diapering) and mama meet-ups at the store.

The store works hard to support other small businesses (especially US-based ones). Even though they are a physical store, their prices (especially diapers, wet bags, and carriers) are extremely competitive with online stores.  BCB knows and loves their customers and bends over backwards to help.

Here's my story:  I was seven months pregnant with our first child when I started exploring Baby Cotton Bottoms.  I planned on cloth diapering, but didn't know where to begin.  I just knew things had changed a lot since I used Curety flats and Gerber plastic covers on my younger siblings.

"What do I need to get started?" I asked.  How many diapers?  How many covers?  And the staff started showing me my options. Part way through the explanations, I mentioned that some friends had handed down some cloth diapers to me, but I had no clue what those diapers were or how to use them.

"Bring them in!  We'll help you!" they said.

I scurried out to the van and brought in the box.  The staff gathered around and excitedly started going through the hand-me-downs.  Worn Kissaluvs, assorted homemade fitteds, and hand-made woolies were all exclaimed over and explained.

"You're set!" said the ladies.  "You just need a few covers to go with these."

I walked out with three covers, wet bag, a bottle of diaper detergent, and a great respect for a store that was more concerned about helping me than they were about making money off me.

The customer service has continued to be exceptional.  They helped me (after store hours!) learn how to wrap my seven day old in my Moby.  They welcomed my husband and me with our 40 pound hiking backpacks as we tried on soft structured carriers to find out which one would work best for hiking into the backcountry.  They custom-ordered diapers and toys for me and shipped them when I couldn't make it to the store for two months.

Curious as to which baby carrier will work for you AND your broad-shouldered husband?  Try them all on without having to purchase and re-sell.  Wondering about AIOs and pockets and AI2s and fitteds?  Want to see the difference between the Freetime and the Elemental? Stop by.  Put your hands on the products.  Get the expertise.  See and feel and know what you need.  And forgetting waiting for the fluff mail to arrive -- shop local!

8/7 Monthly Meeting

Our month's meeting was held at the Casa Verde Commons House, with the Carry of the Month being Wendy's Double Hammock, as demonstrated by member Cora K. and her toddler daughter!  It was an awesome turn out and we hope everyone had a great time. 

Babywearers chat about the various carriers and wraps.  

Group leader Marcia S. adjusts Noel's G.'s rebozo knot while Jessa P. watches intently.  

Cora K. demonstrates the Carry of the Month.

Marcia S. examines a Tula.

Cora K. helps Sarah M. learn a back carry.
(Photo courtesy of Gretchen M.)

A baby boy rests on his mama's back as he waits for her to complete her carry.
(Photo courtesy of Gretchen M.)

Jessa P. finishes her wrap job with a Tibetan tie.
(Photo courtesy of Gretchen M.)

Cora K. nurses her toddler in a Girasol wrap.  
(Photo courtesy of Gretchen M.)

Garden of the Gods Photoshoot

We had a photography session at the Garden of the Gods today.  One of our longtime members, Gretchen M., took these beautiful photographs.  

Where We Wore in July

Mindy N. treks across the Great Sand Dunes National Park with her toddler in a Boba.

Kristen M. is wearing her baby in a Kinderpack at the Colorado National Monument.

Jennifer P. wears her baby boy in a KoKaDi Glamour Stars wrap in Manitou Springs after perfecting the July Carry of the Month, DRS2S.

Rechelle B.'s husband drags two suitcases (and carseats) while wearing their child on his back in a Tula.

Erica N. and her friend Frauke wear their two year olds on a prayer walk in Chisinau, the capital city of Moldova. Erica (left) is using a Kinderpack while Frauke is sporting a Manduca.

Maureen S. checks on her pregnant cow while wearing her baby in a DIY Osnaburg wrap.

Stella S.'s husband Bill wears their older daughter in a mei tai, while holding their youngest.

Galen D. tandems wears while getting ready to enter the airport.  Her two-year-old daughter is on her front in a Kanga XT and her son is on her back in a Blue and White Pfau Didymos.  

August Meeting

Our monthly meeting will be taking place the 7th of August, starting at 10:30 at the Casa Verde Common House.  We will be talking about back carriers and a member will be demoing Wendy's Double Hammock.  Bring a long wrap along (and your other carriers!) to give it a try.  As always, additional kids and fathers are welcome.     

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