This wrap is a brand called Natibaby, or "Nati." They make many different colors and styles, are relatively inexpensive (for the most part), and pretty easily available. Not a high demand, not a high cost. Yet reliable wraps that tons of people like and use.
The color of this one is called "Old Rose", and the pattern is called "Orchid." Old Rose Orchid was woven as a fabric blend of 68% cotton, 19% ramie, 13% silk.
I found it thick and pretty warm to wear. On the other hand, the thickness of it makes it incredibly supportive, meaning that you could wear a heavy child in it for several hours, and not get uncomfortable (if it is wrapped properly). I have heard one other person with a different Nati wrap in this same fabric blend, that comfortably wears her three-year old in this wrap for several hours at a time. Hard to find anything that will carry a three-year old that comfortably for so long.
We recently went to the zoo for several hours, and I wore Jax in Didymos Anthracite (which I have not blogged about yet). After a couple hours, my shoulders started to be uncomfortable and almost feel like they were cramping or having spasms. I asked a baby wearing expert friend what wrap I could wear for that many hours, and stay comfortable, and she suggested this one.
I am mostly wearing the "wrong" side of this jaquard wrap facing out. Jaquard means that pattern is created by different colored threads woven together, so that the pattern is opposite on the different sides of the fabric. White orchids on a purple background on one side; purple orchids on a pale purple white background on the other side. I am technically wearing the "wrong" side out, because I liked the way it looked better. The "right" side is the darker purple band around my waist.
It is hard to tell in the photos, but the small diagonal lines run throughout the wrap in a large, wide "x" pattern. The same narrow lines go along the top and bottom "rails" or edges of the fabric. It really is a gorgeous pattern.
There is something going on with the right side of the fabric that gives it almost a suede feel. You can brush the fibers in one direction or the other. I've not seen a wrap fabric like that before.
I had to spend longer tightening the passes of this wrap to get it nicely wrapped (ie. safely and comfortably), than I do with thinner wraps, but even wearing it for a short time, I can see how supportive it could be for longer use. Also, I think it would make a gorgeous wrap conversion, because the fabric is sturdy. If someone loved the pattern but not the thickness, I think it would be excellent to chop into two pieces, and have one piece sewn into a shorter wrap and the other piece sewn into a ring sling (or "slingified" as they call it).
This wrap is a size 6, which is pretty long for me. A size 6 is traditionally 4.6 meters. This one measures 188 inches, which is 4.77 meters.
The carry I am using is called a "double hammock."
I live in South Texas, and can't imagine using this wrap outdoors during the summer. Wearing a baby attached to your body is generally hot as it stands, and wrapping with this thick fabric, especially given the fabric content, was pretty hot even while we took these photos in the overcast morning. (I'm guessing it's the ramie and silk that don't breathe as well). I would love this wrap in the fall, winter, or early spring when it's a bit cooler out.
This is one of the wraps I bought for my sister Mercy's wedding, that I didn't end up using. It is currently up for sale.
Here's some more pretty pictures of us wearing it.
Natibaby Old Rose Orchid
Natibaby Old Rose Orchid
These are the five wraps I bought to possibly use for my sister Mercy's wedding (to match her wedding colors, which were pretty much the hue of the dress I'm wearing in these photos. I was a bridesmaid and figured I would need to wear my son at some point during the reception).
