Carry your baby the Natural way.

One month under our belt!

2011-02-07T14:24:00.002-05:00

Hello February!

Personally, I find February refreshing..Perhaps it's the promise of spring around the corner, even if it's a big corner.

We've been back at it for a month, I'm so happy to be creating again. In the past few weeks I was able to put together a special tye-died toddler carrier and break into my new line of prints for a bright and cheerful Paisley carrier. Photos are posted on the Facebook Fan page.

I've been busy booking a the spring show season, all events will be posted on the Facebook page, so check often for updates.

2011!

2010-12-31T19:04:00.007-05:00

Almost 2011! This past year certainly was productive for the Dunn family. Our twins are humming along just perfectly and we are enjoying every precious minute with them.

I'm excited about re-opening the shop in early January. We'll have a real slow go of it for the first few months, but the sewing list is open and already growing, so if you are interested in a Natural Mother Mei Tai, don't hesitate to contact me.

In the coming year Natural Mother Productions will be adding Mei Tai's styled for Daddies, posh custom diaper bags and buckle carriers.

I'm also working on providing a program for babywearing groups, with the potenial of earning your group a brand new carrier for your lending library and offering your members a discounted co-op rate. Stay tuned for details.

Looking forward to sharing this exciting journey with all of you, God Bless!

Michelle and the seven.

September 2010

2010-09-03T11:08:00.005-04:00

Maternity leave information!

I'm the lucky Mama to 7 wonderful children! We welcomed Isabelle Avery (5lbs 10oz) and Abigail Elaine (6lbs 3oz) on July 29, 2010. Natural Mother Productions will be enjoying a few months with our growing family. During this time, a selection of completed carriers will be available for purchase. Available prints are posted in my photobucket account. If you are interested in ordering a custom carrier, I will compile sewing lists for a January 2011 start date.

Huron County Baby Wearers will continue to host meetings beginning in October 2010 at the Clinton Early Years Centre. Meeting days and times will be announced close to the date.

Cheers!

Michelle, Doug, Alexander, Nickolas, Hanna, Mya, Madeline, Isabelle and Abigail!

2010-06-28T21:36:00.000-04:00

Update list on Mei Tai sale:

Photo #1.
Black and white print
was a custom order, has slightly narrower straps and a front pocket. This carrier was never used, as the person who ordered changed her mind on the print. Normally $100.00, down to $80.

Photo #2
Asian floral print
The actual carrier is with Khaki straps, not black. This carrier is normally $90.00, down to $75. It has spent time in pet-friendly homes being tested, but is in great condition.

Photo#3
Blue print
Again, this carrier is paired with Khaki coloured straps. It does NOT have a hood, but the hood print is featured on the back side, so it is a duo print carrier. Normal pricing $100.00, down to $80.00

Photo #4 and 5
Both photos are of the actual carriers, never used, price, $85.00

I will cover the taxes on all carriers.

Cheers!

Michelle

2010-06-28T16:33:00.000-04:00

A great group order!

2010-05-12T20:51:00.003-04:00

In April I ran my first sucessful co-op! It was a pleasure to be able to give 11 great Mamas and babies the chance to snag a custom Mei Tai at a great price. I look forward to offering co-ops twice a year, so look out for the opportunity to snag a great deal!

Here are a few shots of the order:

The making of 100 Mei Tais.

2010-04-16T19:49:00.010-04:00

I was planning on making a special carrier to mark the 100th one I've made...however,I recently realized I surpased that number some time ago and decided to dedicate this weeks post to the "history" of the Natural Mother Mei Tai, and to give credit to all the Mama's who have contributed to where the carrier is today.

I began making Mei Tais around 5 years ago when my daughter Mya was born. I was intregued by the idea of baby wearing and was immediately drawn to the Asian inspired carrier called a Mei Tai. To have a comfortable carrier to carry my child hands free felt like freedom. I was instantly in Love. So off fabric shopping I went. What a learning experience! I used cotton for the entire carrier, it was so stretchy, was constantly sagging and therefore I was always re adjusting. And yet I wore it with pride. Everywhere. It was still better than anything else I'd tried..

Eventually after some more misses, I finally found a base that was supportive enough, yet soft and lightweight. I played around with the design, inserted panels in the front and padding in the straps and worked with some suggestions to narrow the body panel, Here's Ang's first carrier (Thanks Ang!)

At this point I continued to make and test the square bodied Mei Tai, experimenting with different padding and panel options. I didn't photograph these carriers, but I do have to thank Meghan (you know who you are) who used one as her intro to babywearing and ultimately became a huge cheerleader in the evolution of the NMMT.

Around this point we were blessed to be expecting our fifth child, and I was determined to really work the carrier and tweek it from personal experience. One morning in Dec, I woke to a snowstorm and the urge to sew. I used some fabric I'd been hoarding, creating my first full panelled body, I also redrafted the square body to have a curved headreast and I lined it with quilt batting for warmth and support. Here is the result, which I used until Madeline was almost 2. I still love this carrier, so many memories :). Madeline (2months) and Daddy:

While I thought I'd hit the baby wearing jackpot, I continued sewing Mei Tais for friends and was getting feedback that suggested another design change was in order. The wide nature of the carrier was making it uncomfy on tiny legs and I had more than one parent ask me to narrow the leg area on the body. I also realized that the headrest was more of a headflop and was on the hunt for more supportive materials to make it soft but supportive. An accidental purchase proved to be the answer I was looking for and another generation of the NMMT was born. Thanks to Karen H. (love ya) for using and abusing my newest experiment ;).

Jess and Karen's carriers:

As you can see, we're close to where the carrier is today! There are a few more minor changes, Lynette who requested I tack the straps, inspired the external stablizing stitching in the triangular pattern, making the carrier even more supportive:

Debora and Angela, baby wearing experts who extensively tested the carrier and recommended some comfort tweeks, thanks to Debora, who requested better padding in the straps and Angela who suggestested that more waist structure would make a snugger fit:

Meghan, (second time around) who asked for a hood:

And Virgina who asked for a pocket:

And to the countless Mamas who have snuggled their babies in a Natural Mother Mei Tai, endless thanks. While it's not perfect, I'm mightly blessed to be able to create a baby carrier that can change how you parent. And where are we headed? Who knows ;)...there are buckles and snaps, tapered straps, tucked in hoods, anywhere fabric, a needle, some thread and thought could take me.

Carry your baby the Natural way!
Cheers,
Michelle

All about Appliques!

2010-03-25T10:21:00.010-04:00

What a week! I'm busy prepping for the London Moms Mom 2 Mom sale this Friday and Saturday at Lucas Secondary School in London. I'm currently working on carrier #5 for the week! This afternoon I'll be finishing up 6 or so Knot bags and then I'm ready to go, see you all there!
I've been inspired to improve my applique work. It adds a lovely touch to the finished carrier and I just love how these turned out!

First carrier is a custom order for a princess ;). You know who you are.

These next 3 are for the show this weekend. There will be a fourth and it will have the spring street print as above, with 1 applique.

Daisy Blue

Carnival bloom

Crisscross

And finally, my first fully reversible carrier, 2 beautiful prints combined to make one fabulous carrier! This one goes to Cheri, enjoy wearing your baby in style!

And finally, all wrapped up and ready for their new homes!

Sling recalls

2010-03-24T09:09:00.002-04:00

I would like to address the recent recalls and news stories regarding Bag style slings. These particular carriers have been linked to several cases of infant suffucation. Here are a few links regarding initial concerns about these slings, ending in the recall of over 1m products! While it's a great victory for babywearing safety, it's important to note that we must use caution with every carrier we choose to use. Learning to use your carrier properly will ensure the best possible positioning and lessening the chances of accident. Visit your local Baby Wearing support group if you have concerns.

Link to study started on TBW in 2008 concerning the safety of Bag Style Slings:
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205359

Information on the recent recall:
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/03/24/sling-recall.html?ref=rss

Happy and Safe Baby Wearing!
Michelle

Over a month...time does fly!

2010-03-21T09:33:00.013-04:00

Well, the computer is still hit and miss, such is life. I figured I should update while I can! Feburary was a wonderful quiet month, I spent much time preparing for my spring show schedule. March as proven to be a busy month! Spring is in the air and baby wearers are coming out of their houses after a long (but great) winter. On March 26, I'll be heading to the London Moms spring Mom 2 Mom sale, I'm so looking forward to seeing some of my favorate Mamas again!

Of course we also need a photo update! My lovely pfaff has been happily sewing up these Mei Tais for for some fabulous customers.

2010-03-02T19:31:00.002-05:00

To my wonderful customers,

Wow, it has been a couple of weeks
My computer has been undergoing some connection difficulties, and is in for repairs. Thankfully the sewing machine is working wonderfully and churning out lovelies everyday. Stay tuned for updates. I'm promising pictures of carriers, bags, and fabric teasers..Cheers!
M

2010-02-01T17:23:00.005-05:00

It's Knot bag time!!

I love these little bags! Trade your bulky shoulder bag for one of these cuties. In one bag you can fit a small wallet, keys and cell. All bags reverse to a solid black.

Dontcha what one?

Busy week!

2010-01-25T15:40:00.004-05:00

Here are last weeks carriers! I have a few more sewing projects to post this week so stay tuned!

2010-01-18T10:48:00.001-05:00

A carrier on the way!

2010-01-18T10:38:00.004-05:00

This lovely beauty is for Allison and her wee one! The print is "Carnival Bloom" by Micheal Miller and I've matched it with brown straps. The front panel features a zippered pocket, perfect for a small wallet, diaper or cell.

Hello!

2009-12-27T19:20:00.004-05:00

A simple intro..

Michelle, mother of 5 fantastic, growing, constantly changing people. Wife to Doug, we fell in love in our teens, 15 years and 5 children later and I'm more proud to call him my husband now than I was 15 years ago. I am truly blessed in every sense of the term.

First of all, I'm a talker, not a writer! Please forgive in advance the poor spelling and lack of proper grammer! I will do what I can to keep you interested in my work, so bear with me.

Besides keeping my family growing, my passions in life do extend beyond the raising of my children (when I have time). I love mothers and babies, breastfeeding and babywearing, sewing(fabric...ooolala)and design. Somehow the pursuit of these passions have managed to come together and formed my business, Natural Mother Productions, which is the subject of this blog.

My business compliments my passions in ways I could never have dreamed of. Designing and sewing Mei Tais, fills my needs for sewing and design, providing parents with a truly hands free carrier supports my interests in breastfeeding and babywearing. And the true benefits of using a carrier to wear your baby close to your heart have proved priceless in my own experience and the testimonials of other mothers.

Stay tuned for a few new projects I have on the back burner :).

m