| The
biggest obstacle I found to slinging is just obtaining
a sling. Like most people I had to resort to making
my own. After many frustrating failures I came up with
this simple design. Although it is not made of traditional
materials it is easy to make and it works. To make this
sling you will need the following items: Some 1 inch
wide nylon web strapping, one 72" long bootlace,
a needle, some strong thread, a pair of scissors and
a lighter.
First
cut two pieces of the nylon strapping about 3 inches
long each. Both pieces should be the same length. Use
the lighter to melt the cut ends to prevent fraying.
Next cut the pieces into curves shapes as shown. You
should make the cut from one corner to the opposite
side about a third of the way down. Cut in a slight
curve rather than a straight 45 degree angle. It is
important to make sure the cuts on both pieces are identically.
It is helpful to use the first cut as a template for
your other cuts. Use the lighter again to melt the cut
edges to prevent fraying.
After both pieces of strapping have been cut you sew
them together to form the pouch. Start at one corner
and sew the cut edges together as shown.
Next take the bootlace and fold in half to find the
middle point. Sew the bootlace to the back of the pouch
you made from the nylon strapping. Position the middle
of the bootlace to the middle of the back of the pouch.
Now cut the tips of each end of the bootlace and melt
the ends to prevent fraying.
Next loop one end of bootlace over and sew together
as shown to form the finger loop. Then tie a knot in
the other end. The distance from the pouch to the knot
should be equal to the distance from the pouch to the
top of the loop. This will ensure the pouch is level
when loaded.
Lastly trim any loose threads and melt any fraying spots
with the lighter. You sling is done and ready for use.
Happy slinging!
(The
sling pictured above is one I made for my nephew so
the ends are shorter than for an adult sized sling).
Note: These instructions call of one 72" bootlace.
This will make a sling suitable for the average adult.
If you do not have a long enough bootlace, then use
two smaller ones. If you are making a youth size sling,
then you can use a shorter bootlace or use a single
72" bootlace and cut it down.
-
Jeb Bolling
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