Sarita Star Designs: The Fine Art of Babywearing

By Tine Reese

February 16, 2010

Earlier this week I had the chance to talk with Spokane artist and baby sling designer Sarita Morgan. Let me start off by saying that I had never considered a sling to be a work of art before Sarita brought two of her beautiful creations to my home. The slings are her own original design and include a custom shoulder style that many moms say is the best out there. Each sling is made by hand in her home and adorned with perfectly-crafted appliques. The bright colors and patterns give the slings a fun, modern look and take them from functional to fashionable. These are slings that make an outfit. As Sarita and I joked, “You don’t wear these while cleaning your toilet bowl!”

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Sarita’s slings will work for newborns as well as older children up to 35 lbs. This picture shows Sarita with her 3-year-old daughter Rajani who still fits comfortably in the sling. Each one comes with a hidden storage pocket on the underside of the front flap and an instructional brochure illustrating multiple carrying positions and how to put the sling on. The fabrics she uses are carefully selected for quality and durability. Slings should be hand- or spot-washed as needed.

Sarita began sewing slings on her mom’s old sewing machine after the birth of her first child in 2002. She wasn’t crazy about the other slings she had tried, but was passionate about wearing her baby. She began experimenting with different patterns and developing her own artistic style, eventually making slings for others and finally launching her own business. Initial success came when her slings were a hot topic on thebabywearer.com. She has previously sold them online, but now makes her slings exclusively available at Anemone in the River Park Square mall in downtown Spokane.

Sarita and a few of her friends are also busy plotting the resurgence of a local baby wearing group. Right now you can join their Yahoo Spokane Babywearers Group to be connected with them. I’m excited that there will be a place for local parents-to-be interested in baby wearing to connect with other moms and dads who are old pros. If you’re interested in more information on the benefits of baby wearing, check out these websites: