Monday, August 25, 2008

Reinstating the Scandi Mei Tai Tutorial

You can find the Scandi Mei Tai tutorial at its new home, here: http://scanditute.blogspot.com/

It is no longer private, it can be viewed by anyone and everyone. I had no idea how much of an impact its removal would have. I've been contacted by well over 100 people from as far away as Iceland and I've read on other forums and blogs how much disappointment it has caused.

The tutorial has existed with very little care and feeding from me since I first created it last fall. I recently tracked the traffic and learned that some days the blog has 400+ hits! I had no idea it was so popular. :)

Thanks to everyone for all your support. Please, if you have posted about the tutorial on other boards and forums, I would appreciate if you could update the link.

Happy sewing!

Kristen

Monday, August 18, 2008

Removal of Scandi Tute

It is with deep regret that I must remove the Scandi Mei Tai tutorial from my blog. Although the blog clearly states "Personal Use Only," it has come to my attention that the tutorial is being used by others for purposes of making and selling mei tais for profit. One particular mei tai vendor has even deleted her comments thanking me for tutorial because she doesn't want it revealed that she learned how to sew one from my instructions. This was not the intention of the tutorial, and goes against the spirit of good will that tutorials promote. Secondly, the tutorial is NOT a professional method for mei tai construction. It is very basic and will deliver a "safe" carrier, but there is so much more that needs to be addressed before starting a baby carrier business.

If you are an honest DIYer and truly want to make a carrier in which to use for your own purposes - to carry your own children or to promote babywearing with your friends and family, please send me an e-mail at oliviaboliviameitai@yahoo.com. I will be happy to send you a private link to the tutorial or answer any questions you may have.

I truly feel terrible doing this, but I have to protect my intellectual property and this is the only way I have to exercise that control.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Newest Addition: Soft Structured Mei Tai Hybrid

I combined the ease and supportiveness of a structured buckle waist with mei tai straps with this hybrid.

I found I was using my Ergo more and more because I like the supportiveness of the structured waist. There are some drawbacks, however. I can never get the chest strap where I want it in a front carry and it's a pain to adjust the shoulder strap buckles. Enter MT straps with a structured waist DIY! Now I have the supportive waist plus the adjustability of tied straps. The straps are a chocolate brown canvas and I backed it with chocolate brown baby cord. The body also has an inside layer of canvas and is padded with one layer of cotton batting. I added seat darts as well. The structured waist was made with one layer of high density foam cut from a camping mat. The mat was around $6 at Wal-Mart and I probably have enough to make 5 or 6 more.

Can I just say this thing is amazing! It really hugs my babies in close and literally I feel nothing on my shoulders in a back carry. It's like they are glued to my back. I think this is because the straps also provide a lot of support when they are twisted or crossed at the baby's back: something a traditional SSC lacks.

Sorry I don't have time for a tutorial right now, but if you can make a MT, this really isn't that much different. The waist takes a little bit of time, but if you already own an SSC you can study it to see how the waist band is sewn and attached and replicate it.





Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Pics of my DIY Stash!

My new favorite: Wool and Silk Winter Tai






The Scandis:








The Buckle-Tais