Hillary DeGrasse of Orono and Racheal Gifford of Old Town, both 22, are young mothers with baby gear ideas on their minds. In February they launched their home-based business, Slings ‘N Things.

When she was expecting her son, who is now 8 months old, DeGrasse received as a baby shower gift a baby sling that keeps the infant bound closely to the mother’s body but leaves her hands free to do other things – such as laundry, shopping or cooking.

Although she loved the baby sling, she wasn’t quite happy with the way it fit or the fabric from which it was made.

“It was too stiff and not long enough,” she said. She thought she could improve on the concept. She got together with her friend Racheal Gifford, who also had a newborn, and together the two dreamed up their own version of the baby sling. Friends who saw the baby sling Gifford and DeGrasse designed liked it so much they wanted one, too. The two women decided to go into business.

“The baby sling is very popular on the West Coast,” DeGrasse said. “Often, the slings are ordered online and [the mother] can’t figure out how to wear it correctly or how to adjust it. We can demonstrate on ourselves how to put on the sling, how to put the baby into it and the ways it can be worn.”

Gifford and DeGrasse construct their baby slings from cotton fabric lined with a “minky” polyester material that has a soft nap, or with cotton flannel. The slings are made in one piece of about 2 yards of fabric. The seam that joins the two ends of the fabric is fashioned in such a way that it cradles the baby’s bottom.

“There’s nothing [about the sling] to fall down or break down,” DeGrasse said. She demonstrated how the sling can carry the baby in a cradled position or seated astride the mother’s hip. She easily put the sling on using one hand while with the other she held her little son who smiled happily throughout.

The sling is folded in a simple way to keep the baby safe and comfortable. It is easy to put on and take off.

“The slings work for newborns and babies up to 2 years old,” Gifford said. She also has a toddler. “I can carry both my children in slings at the same time.”

The two women started out working on vintage sewing machines – Gifford has “a basic Kenmore,” she said. DeGrasse used 1960s-era Singer sewing machines until they stopped working recently. At that point, she invested in a Viking-Husqvarna sewing machine.

The two women, who became acquainted two years ago at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bangor, usually team up to go on fabric-buying expeditions.

Neither of the women had much sewing experience when they started making the slings.

“My mom showed me how to sew some,” Gifford said, “But mostly I am teaching myself.” She graduated May 10 with a degree in early childhood education from the University of Maine.

“My mom used duct tape to fix everything,” DeGrasse laughed. “But my dad sews some. So I’m self-taught, too.” She practiced sewing by making toys and other items for her baby son. “At first it was trial and error – we learned a lot from our mistakes.”

The partners work separately or together in their homes. They make three types of slings using cotton, flannel and duck fabrics.

“We keep trying to go out of our comfort zone of what we like – we try different fabrics and go outside of what our taste [in colors and prints] would be,” DeGrasse said.

DeGrasse has a special project she is working on. “My dad wants a baby sling made out of Carhartt overalls – he wears Carhartts all the time. He has seven little grandsons and he wants to carry them around,” she said. “We’ll do custom work for others, too – like if someone wants a sling made from a grandmother’s dress or a grandfather’s shirts.”

Gifford and DeGrasse also make nursing covers that have a neck strap with Velcro closures and a roomy pocket where nursing pads, a pacifier or other small baby-related items can be stored. They make burp cloths, cuddle “blankies” of satiny or textured silky fabric, decorated gift containers, child-size slings for siblings to carry their dolls or teddy bears in and diaper cakes.

Yes, you read that right – diaper cakes. “The base is rolled-up disposable diapers,” DeGrasse explained. The diapers are arranged to resemble a three- or four-tiered cake. And tucked in around the tiers are all sorts of small-scale baby gear, such as burp cloths, baby shampoo, baby wipes, pacifiers, socks, powder, shoes, ointments, rattles and even a teddy bear. The diaper cake is used as a table centerpiece at a baby shower.

In April, Gifford and DeGrasse showed their products at craft fairs at the Airport Mall in Bangor. They were so encouraged by the interest shown in their baby slings and other products, they plan to show there again Saturday, June 7. They also plan to be vendors at the Egg Festival in Pittsfield this summer. They have set up a Web site and blog at www.slingsnthings.etsy.com, which is an online marketplace for handmade goods.

“We like being able to determine our own style and pace,” DeGrasse said. “I enjoy the creativity of this, of looking at something and seeing what it can be. I look at Carhartt overalls, but I see a baby sling and matching diaper bag.”

“I like making things,” Gifford said. ” I like having it come out right. I like [having a job where I can] stay home with my children. It’s fun.”

To learn more about Slings ‘N Things, call Gifford at 249-9082, DeGrasse at 942-4548, or e-mail slingsnthings@hotmail.com.

ahamlin@bangordailynews.net

990-8153

Racheal Gifford (left) and Hillary DeGrasse, pictured here with their children, design and sew their baby slings and have created their own home business, Slings ‘N Things, to sell and market their products.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KATE COLLINS

Holding Cade, Hillary DeGrasse (left) points out the versatility of fabrics for baby slings. In fact, she has a special project she is working on: “My dad wants a baby sling made out of Carhartt overalls,” she said.