Zee Zen Woven Wraps I'm A Dreamer Monochrome Review

Zee Zen Woven Wraps I'm A Dreamer Monochome
Super combed cotton/cotton / 295 GSM
2 years and 30 pounds


I've had the pleasure of wrapping with a good number of Zee Zen wraps over the past 2 years. I've been fortunate to experience the evolution of Zee Zen and I'm A Dreamer is one of the best yet. I feel like it's one of those stand out wraps from a company that encompasses all the knowledge of past releases and prototypes and provides a totally satisfying and straightforward experience using it.

Upon opening the package I noted how the wrap unfolded with a feel of density and heft, yet as I squeezed the wrap it's bouncy and spongy in hand. I also noted I'm A Dreamer feels exceptionally soft and flopped around with ease as I examined it. Monochromes have always attracted me and the black and warm gray toned ecru are especially appealing here with the sharp geometric design.

I'm A Dreamer has a fascinating combination of feeling smooth from the fibers and dense weave and sharply textured from the ridges of the detailed pattern. There is a lot of structure here in the geometric pattern that I anticipate will add cush and grip. There is a medium-high diagonal stretch which will translate into recoil while wrapping and wearing. I find no difference in feel or looks on either side, no "right" or "wrong" side.

The pattern has the appearance of stylized geometric feathers, with the barb and barbules structure of a feather very bold and pronounced between the two colors, black and ecru. I'm A Dreamer will appeal to all fashion types, easily transitioning from a jeans and sweats wrap to a more dressed up statement making wrap. Fans of The Beatles will also appreciate the name and I suspect go on to appreciate the wrap itself once they try it out.

The one word I keep coming back to for describing this wrap is spongey. Just in hand and squeezing it, so spongey and that feel translates to wrapping and wearing. I had suspected the wrap to be bouncy while wearing, but that is not the case, there is very little bounce and zero sag. It's impressive that it is all cotton considering the wrapping qualities it offers, besides the textured grip balanced with soft glide there is lots of support that pairs well with the cush when wearing my toddler. Wraps up thinner that it feels in hand, I suspect because the structure is so spongey, resulting in thinner CCCBs, flat moulded shoulder straps, snug chest passes, and excellent pleats all around. I used I'm A Dreamer in FWCC, ruck, many variations, double hammock, many variations and it scored top marks all around for all the carries I tested it in. I am not a typical wearer and require a lot of support from a wrap to wear my toddler for any length of time and I was able to ruck comfortably on a few long walks.

I'm A Dreamer is well balanced all around, easy care cotton, but a complex weave which adds wonderful texture and grip to balance this wraps delightful softness and glide plus enough cush for both single and multi pass carries. Because of the softness and how floppy it is I recommend it right from the start for newborns all the way up to toddlers because it also has the cush and strength for those heavier wrappees. New wrappers should find this an easy wrap to use, passes glide well, there is a good balance of grip to hold things just right as you are wrapping. and it is forgiving of less than perfect wrap jobs. Because I tested in both single and multi pass carries and it did so well in both, any size in I'm A Dreamer will be excellent. I am especially happy to wholeheartedly recommend this wrap because it is made and sold in Canada, so for any Canadians especially this will be a great economical choice too! If you are a lover of very dry, or very grippy, you will want to pass, there is grip here, but it is not very grippy, more a medium level of grippiness. Additionally if you love airy and thin wraps, this is a dense weave, though it is spongey and has some airiness it is not what I would call loose and airy, and in hand it is medium thick at least, if not a touch thicker. If you prefer solid and no stretch again you will want to pass as there is stretch and recoil. For those that like a good balance of medium grip with glide, but no slip, this wrap is recommended. If you love wraps that are soft and floppy with a slightly weighted drape, look at I'm A Dreamer.  If you love easy care and are looking for a one and done wrap, this could well be it for you.

Thank you again to Pauline for allowing me to test out and review yet another Zee Zen woven wrap!

Please visit Zee Zen Woven Wraps on Facebook here and consider joining their chatter group here.

Bijou Wear Abstract Mirage Review

Bijou Wear Abstract Mirage
66 % Egyptian mercerized cotton / 33% standard cotton / 240 GSM
23 months and 28 pounds


Abstract Mirage is the third Bijou Wear I've had the pleasure of trying. Upon opening the package I was sure it was a shorty because of how compact the wrap folds up, but in fact it was not. Out fell a long, deliciously shimmery silver/white wrap in a modern and fresh feeling design. There is just a hint of sea glass blue/green in the shimmer that plays up differently in different lighting. Letting the wrap fall across my lap and moving it around in the light, the name Mirage seems at once apt.

 

In hand this wrap is textured with a very lovely sheen, due to the mercerized cotton, but it is also a dry wrap. The kind of dry that will make that slight creaky sound while wearing if you know what I mean. I would be curious to see how it breaks in, I imagine some of the dryness in hand will go away. Abstract Mirage is also exceptionally thin in hand with a medium-high diagonal only stretch.

The name suggests modern abstract paintings and the design shows a brush stoke effect. Looking at the wrap the texture is very evident and the mix of sheen and matte do well to further enhance the look of texture. That said this is a flat texture, the weave is smoother and on the denser side. You will find no nubs or slubs here. There is an airiness in the design, if you hold the wrap up to the light, it is not see thru, even for the thinness of the wrap, but light shines in along certain lines of the design. Style wise, if higher end fashion appeals to you, but you don't get to partake in real life, this is the wrap for you. It will elevate your look anytime you wear it.

 

While wrapping the diagonal stretch isn't very apparent at all. There is zero sag once wrapped when wearing, and the wrap moulds quite nicely. The texture of Abstract Mirage translates to a grippy wrap, the type of grip that can hold a single knot, but the level of grippiness won't hold much of a challenge for more experienced wearers. In multi pass carries such as a double hammock a newer wrapper may need to put in more work, but the results are worth it. I am currently not a typical wearer due to a back injury and a toddler - I need a lot from a wrap, cush usually and a great deal of strength and support. There is not a lot of cush, nor bounce with Abstract, but no dig at all, and amazing strength and support. I also really enjoyed the lack of bulkiness on my shoulders and the easy and numerous pleats! Trying to think of what this wraps similarly too, and I think of Almitra Tattva Phirozi, which is a woolie, but equally thin in hand and also equally astonishing for the amount of strength and support.

 

 

I really enjoyed using this wrap in my base (ish) size and that would be my personal preference for this wrap, but it will perform well in a shorty. The lack of bulkiness, plus softness and smoothness makes this a good choice for a newborn wrap and it will work well beyond the newborn phase. This is a toddler worthy wrap, especially if you are looking for a thin toddler worthy wrap, you will find those are harder to come by. If you enjoy thin, denser wraps, with flatter texture, no nubby fibres, this is one to check out. Lovers of a lot of stretch, or very cushy, or blankety wraps may want to sit this one out. Though it may be one that surprises you too. My own wrap qualities that I love have certainly changed and evolved a bit the more I try.

Thank you Jaime for letting Abstract Mirage visit us!

Find Bijou Wear's chatter group on Facebook here.

Pavo Textiles Love Birds Vespertine

Pavo Love Birds Vespertine

SilverSpun™ 85% Egyptian cotton / 8% silver / 7% nylon

21 months and 28 pounds

Wrapping up International Babywearing Week 2016 I've decided to review one of my most favorite wraps ever. The wrap that gives my wrappee the best seat in the house. When I love a wrap so much, and instantly, it feels like a good idea to take my time and see how I feel about it after a couple of months of wearing. This is not usually possible with testers, but I am fortunate with Vespertine.
 

 

When Love Birds Vespertine first arrived back in July I took it out of the tote and it was so soft I couldn't believe it was a loom state wrap. I even wore it once before washing! Oopsie! The other thing that struck me is how lovely and shimmery the wrap is, like a warm liquid metal, this natty just glows! I've often said no one does cotton like Pavo, with their complex weaves, but no one does natty like Pavo either, there is magic woven into the process somehow. Vespertine already reminded me of another classic Pavo natty, Acanthus, and it may just end up ranking right up there with it.

  

Vespertine is thinner in hand than previous Love Birds, such as Socorro. Also for how soft the wrap is, the texture is still very pronounced, grooved and spongy between my fingers. Soapy is a term that took me awhile to figure out when I first started babywearing. This wrap is textbook soapy, the fabric glides easily thru my fingers, never catching and glides nicely against itself too, but it is not slippery. There is very high amount of diagonal stretch, which is a long standing favorite wrap quality of mine. Though Love Birds in general is a denser weave, this version is airier than others. Squeezing the wrap in my hands the airiness and sponginess is evident.

 

 

From the Pavo Customer Appreciation group, "Love Birds is based on a historical document. It is our signature design for Guild, it represents our relationship with the Oriole Mill and the revival of American textile manufacturing through the babywearing community.

Pavo is a bird, Oriole is a bird. We make a Guild." - Erinea Arnason.

The design of Love Birds is classic and timeless. Truly a babywearing textile that you can hand down to your children to wear their children in and it will still look elegant all those years later. The contour binding in the negative space between the birds and other smooth elements of the weave adds a dimension and complexity in the appearance and will translate well to wrapping and wearing experience. Love Birds as a natty takes the design to the next level in my opinion. I was long DISO (desperately in search of) a long Dove Birds, everything about those natty birds looked like perfection to me. Add in SilverSpun™ by the Feel Good Yarn Company and these birds take flight. The shine to me resembles liquid metal, just luxurious and lovely. The drape and how the wrap puddles further looks like liquid metal. This woven wrap will fit in with many style aesthetics because really you can't go wrong with a natty.

 

Love Birds Socorro was the first wrap were double hammock finally clicked for me and was enjoyable and easy, so I had high expectations for Vespertine. I've also been very curious about silver in wraps, I mean what sounds more unicorn like than silver yarn? Best wraps are so subjective. My own favorite wrap qualities are thin in hand, high amount of stretch, soapy, cushy, I also need amazing support for a toddler - in short I don't ask for a lot, haha! Love Birds Vespertine delivers solid 10s on all my favorite wrap qualities. I've used Vespertine in many double hammock and ruck variations as well as FWCC and it is solid in all carries. Wrapping with it is close to effortless, moulds to you and baby perfectly and hugs tightly. Recoil here is also a 10! Pleating and tightening also happens ease. The most important thing for me is how cushy the wrap is. There is zero dig and solid support for my toddler wrappee, but the cush is just unbelievable for me. I am currently dealing with a back injury and this is one of the few wraps that doesn't cause me pain and I can wear for more than 10-20 minutes at a time. How Vespertine moulds to my baby and creates a solid perfect seat that bounces along as we move, is a revelation. I've often had to adjust seats with other wraps as my wrappee is in that leg straightening, seat popping stage, but this wrap is surprisingly a bit of a toddler prison, even though it is thinner than what one would expect a toddler prison wrap to be.

 

 

If you are a Pavo Love Birds fan you will need to add this one to your babywearing bucket list. It's very similar to previous Lovebirds, but Vespertine feels airier yet heavier in a weird way - like wrapping with a cool, dense cloud. So soft, thin in hand, soapy, floppy, mouldable, with great bounce and recoil. If any of that appeals to you, look no further. Love Birds Vesperine is a wrap I would recommend wholeheartedly for a newborn and all the way up to a heavy toddler. Normally a wrap that is as soft as this for new squishes I wouldn't think would be toddler worthy too, but this one really, really is. If you have an issue with pull prone wraps, well, run away. Vespertine in my experience has been very, very pull prone, to the point I can wear no jewelry while wrapping with it, but the weave structure is such that pulls don't stand out too badly and because there are long floats they are relatively easy to fix. Additionally if you like dry, grippy, or blankety wraps, you are going to want to pass as well.

 

 

Thank you so much to Jennifer and Erin at Pavo for letting me experience this epic wrap!

 

Omnifera Wings of Desire Sandalphon Review

Omnifera Wings of Desire Sandalphon
78% Pima cotton/14% Mulberry silk/8% baby camel / 300 GSM pre wash
1 year and 26 pounds

*Note tested and photographed in March 2016.

Wings of Desire is a weighty wrap and upon arrival I could feel that and that there is also very low texture and a smooth dense feel. The name made me smile as I am a long time fan of the Wim Wenders film of the same name. Wings of Desire Sandalphon on first feel is a high quality, luxurious blend.

Back to the low texture, running my hand over the wrap I didn't anticipate much if any grip while wrapping. There is a low amount of diagonal stretch. Wings of Desire is medium thickness and dense, but holding it up to the sun it shows as less dense and there is a floppiness to the wrap as well, which I felt would translate to easier wrapping.

Wings of Desire Sandalphon will appeal to those who dig retro colors and vibes. The brown is a cool toned milk chocolate and paired with creamy ecru the other vibe here is classy. The wing pattern dominates the wrap, but because of the colors it doesn't look busy or overwhelming.

I wore the wrap with my 1 year old main wrappee in double hammock with a CCCB, ruck tied Tibetan knotless, and FWCC. The low texture translated to almost no grip while wrapping. It's really easy to tighten, but extra care is needed to maintain tension. I did have to adjust my carry a few times, in ruck especially and double hammock. Wings of Desire has no itchiness from the baby camel content, I have previously tried Artipoppe baby camel blends and this is very comparable. Because the wrap is floppy and moulds very well it feels less like a heavyweight, but the width of the wrap keeps me from wholeheartedly recommending to newborn wearers. This wrap will shine as a shorty for toddlers, the cush and support is there, and if you did a carry like ruck or ruck tied under bum and it was very tight you wouldn't have to readjust and could wear for extended periods of time because of how cushy and supportive Wings of Desire is. If you are looking for easy care, or a grippy wrap, this one isn't for you. If you enjoy luxury blends and need a lot of cush for your shoulders this wrap performs well and with a toddler in single pass carry you will be able to carry for extended periods comfortably. We enjoyed our time with the wrap, cushy and bouncy, and full of sleepy dust.

Please check out the Omnifera Facebook chatter group here.

Moth and Moon Fibreworks Fickle Nature of Faeries Review

Moth and Moon Fibreworks Fickle Nature of Faeries

50% Egyptian cotton/50% cotton / 5.2 metres

1 year and 25 pounds

*Note tested and photographed in February 2016.

Upon opening the package I was immediately taken with the rich colors, more vibrant and bold than I was expecting from photos I had seen of the wrap. My eye is drawn to the magentas, purples, deep reds, flowing into marine blues, but the colors of the deep forest are well represented with earthy greens evoking bracken and moss, and clay browns with the chocolate weft woven thru. Fickle Fae arrived with a red cedar wood chip engraved in detail with the Moth and Moon Fibreworks logo. I appreciated this additional token with the scent of the forest and the power to transport one to the magic of a woodland scene with one sniff.

The texture of the wrap feels lush and fairly smooth running my hands over it, but the look of broken point tabby twill conveys there will be some grip while wrapping and provides an extra depth of beauty with the rich colors.

If ever there was a wrap for an earth mama this is it. If you dream of homesteading on the edge of the woods, tramping through the underbrush, carrying your little one and searching for mushrooms and berries, this is the wrap for you. For those that appreciate the work and effort that goes into creating handwoven wraps there is plenty to appreciate here. You can tell Fickle Fae was woven with love and great care to details. I found no irregularities, but neat and beautiful weaving.

In hand Fickle Fae is weighty and substantial. While wrapping it is smooth and glidey, passes move and tighten easily, and chest passes hug close. There is grip evident in how passes and carries are held tightly as you are working to wrap, and lock snugly into place. The standout quality of this wrap for me was the cush. I wore my little in FWCC, double hammock, and ruck for long periods of time and it was so cushy and comfortable on my shoulders, even after a few hours. There is an airiness in the weave, tho it was one of the heavier handwoven wraps I've used, so I suspect Fickle Fae would perform well in warmer weather, but for me it was a perfectly lovely cooler weather wrap, cozy and soft.

Lovers of handwoven wraps would do well to take note of the weaver behind Moth and Moon Fibreworks, Brianna Getz, her love of the craft and skill shines in Fickle Fae. I recommend this wrap from newborn to toddlerhood. There is softness for newborns, but it's a real standout for heavier babies and toddlers with how cushy and supportive it is.

Thank you Brianna for the opportunity to test this beautiful and well made wrap!

Website: https://www.mothandmoon.ca

Chatter group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/680534515381967/

Dahlia Wrap Classique Review

Dahlia Wrap Classique

100% cotton / 260 GSM

1 year and 25 pounds

As a Canadian babywearer I am always excited to test for a Canadian wrap company. It's nice to have more options where you don't have to worry about our dollar conversion and customs costs. Classique is a soft periwinkle blue/violet on ecru with a delicate geometric pattern, much prettier in person than photos convey.

 

In hand Classique is a thinner wrap, not kitten soft, but has a silky feel and with use it should become softer. The weave is medium dense with a feel of moderate grip.

Classique will appeal to lovers of geometrics and soft curving patterns. The colors are also soft and delicate and together look like a well washed and loved pair of faded jeans. There are also some thoughtful details with creative hems and middle marker placement that mean Classique has no "right" or "wrong" side.

I used Classique in FWCC, FWCC tied under bum, double hammock tied at shoulder, and ruck. Classique perfomed well for all carries, but more work is required to get those second passes into place, there is a medium amount of grip and one you have everything in place it's solid and secure. While wrapping there is also a nice amount of stretch with tight recoil, no sag at all. Wraps similarly to Pavo Fable and has a similarity to many Pavos with it's generous width. There is cush here, but not an excess of cush, and for a ruck I would recommend precise wrapping and perhaps a candy cane chest belt to add some support and alleviate pressure from shoulders, especially with a heavier toddler.

Overall Classique shows that Dahlia Wrap knows what they are doing with an all cotton wrap, it is a great all around wrap that I would recommend to new wrappers as well as veteran wrappers. I am always impressed with a good cotton wrap, particularly a thinner one and Dahlia Wrap has impressed me here. Especially impressive is that this is also a budget friendly choice!

Thank you to Dahlia Wrap for the opportunity to test!

Find Dahlia Wrap on Facebook here.

Sling Studio Bracken Blue Lagoon Review

 

Sling Studio Bracken Blue Lagoon
75% cotton/25% linen / 225 GSM
1 year old and 25 pounds / 2 years and 38 pounds


Bracken Blue Lagoon arrived impeccably packaged. Carefully thought out details, such as patterned tape, soft gray tissue paper all work together to provide a high end unboxing process. Opening the box after being impressed with all those little details the wrap itself was breathtaking. So soft and shimmery and luxe. The weave appears tight and fairly flat, but the pattern provides texture that I imagine will translate to grip, and holding the wrap up to the light there is an airiness apparent. The Blue Lagoon colorway is a bright and cheerful turquoise that looks especially lovely with the shimmery silver gray warp. I am pleased with the tote bag, simply one of the best totes to accompany a wrap, large and roomy to carry all your essentials and a few wraps as well. I also noted a sticker in the box that 5% of proceeds are donated to Tommy's, a charity that funds research into pregnancy problems. I really admire wrap companies that give back.

 

"wrong" side

The softest, silkiest linen I've ever experienced. Bracken Blue Lagoon arrived finished and floppy, no need to break in at all. It got better after a wash and with use of course. There is a medium to high amount of stretch when pulling diagonally. The silver gray dominant "right" side is a touch smoother and has a feel that should enhance glide. The "wrong" side has a more textured look and feel. The turquoise color is not so saturated, but adds more to the look of texture and gives a feel that signifies grip.

The design named for moorland ferns and underbrush also makes me think of frost patterns as well. Just exquisite and perfect as anything inspired by nature often is. The colors and design of Bracken Blue Lagoon will have wide appeal, but I can especially see babywearers who have a classic style with a hint of edge gravitating towards this one. Lovers of luxurious textiles should also take note, the feel is absolutely high end and quality. For me the colors and wrap design, well just looking at it makes me smile. The overall effect of color, texture, and design is beautiful and luxurious feeling.

I primarily wore Bracken Blue Lagoon with my younger main wrappee, but the obvious strength of the linen got me curious on how the wrap would fare with my heavy toddler. I wore him in a ruck of all things and the strength and support was definitely there. I don't wear my toddler for longer than half an hour usually, that's all he has the patience for, but a lovely bounce and cush was evident. For a wrap so light and thin in hand being toddler worthy in a ruck is quite the feat! With my main wrappee we put this one thru the paces of FWCC, double hammock many variations, shepherd's, kangaroo, and ruck. Moulds well and cocooned my baby perfectly. There is an amazing glide to grip ratio. A silky like slip makes second passes glide into place easily and just the right amount of grip to hold those passes and knots in place. The knots that tighten easily and hold are also small and neat. Wearing this wrap I was constantly surprised and astounded that it's a linen blend. When I think of linen I think crisp and needs to be broken in. Sling Studio "lazy linen" is so silky soft and fluffy with the combined cotton and just easy right from the start. I wore Bracken Blue Lagoon for long periods of time with my 25 pound wrappee and the bounce and cush kept me and my shoulders comfortable and happy for our 2 hour plus wear sessions. No adjustments needed either while wearing.

Sling Studio has fully converted me into a linen lover with this wrap. Linen wasn't something I ever actively sought out, it's not a fibre I felt I needed or wanted. How wrong I was! Sling Studio linen is simply lovely, exceptionally soft and silky feeling, while strong and supportive. Bracken Blue Lagoon is for everyone, new and experienced wrappers alike and will perform beautifully from newborn to toddler. Kitten belly soft for new babies, with the strength of linen for toddlers. I also recommend Bracken Blue Lagoon in all lengths, there's great strength and low to medium grip for a shorty, and it's light and airy for base sizes. If you are a lover of very thick and blankety wraps, or are looking for high grip and texture, you will want to pass. If you want minimal stretch, again pass. If you are looking for soft, light, and airy look no further. This is the wrap for you if you want linen, lower GSM, and luxury. This wrap is also for you if you want easy care, the linen is easy to launder and doesn't require an iron to function well and look good, plus with the fairly flat weave Bracken Blue Lagoon isn't pull prone. For me Sling Studio Bracken Blue Lagoon is a joy to wrap with and wear.

 

Thank you to Alicia for allowing me to test this exquisite textile!

*Sling Studio provided this wrap to me for review, but my feelings and thoughts on it are my own.*