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.

Kokoskaa Delano Manhatten Review

Kokoskaa Delano Manhatten
55% cotton / 45% Tencel / 280 GSM post-wash
1 year and 26 pounds

*Note tested and photographed in early April 2016.

When Delano first arrived I was immediately taken with the high contrast graphic design and how soft in hand the wrap felt. The cool toned grays mixed with the bold white were true to the photos I had seen of the wrap and even more depth to the pattern in person.

I could definitely tell Delano is a Tencel blend from the softness and the feel of slip in hand. I didn't anticipate a lot of grip, though I could feel texture in the pattern. Slightly more textured feel on the "right" side versus the "wrong" side. Pulling the wrap diagonally there is a good amount of stretch, medium to high.

The Art Deco inspired design is bold and detailed and will appeal to those who like sharp and complex geometric shapes and designs. This wrap is also for the monochrome lovers. If you have more vintage or ornate style leanings Delano will fit right in, but it can also be the standout if your fashion choices are more minimalist.

I will admit Tencel had so far never won me over in wrap form, but this blend really impressed me. With Tencel in particular I am worried about a wrap being too slippery and saggy, not the case here with Delano. This is an amazing double hammock wrap, slippy from the Tencel, but there is a nice bit of low grip from the texture, so you have excellent glide, but your wrap job stays rock solid with no adjustments needed. Chest passes are so easy to get super snug and it's very cushy on the shoulders. Snuggly soft and floppy, there is a bit of a fuzzy feeling and I would suspect it might be a bit pull prone because of the Tencel content, but I didn't experience any pulls or issues with using the wrap over a 2 week period.

The highest praise from me is saying I could see adding a wrap to my stash and I can definitely see Delano fitting into my stash. That is also saying a lot because I am not a Tencel lover, but this is a really special Tencel blend. I am a double hammock lover and Delano shines in a double hammock. My size recommendation would be base size for double hammocks, because Delano rocks a DH. If you love snuggly soft and floppy wraps that are very mouldable this one is for you. If you are looking for a lot of grip and a thicker solid wrap, you will want to pass. I would recommend this wrap from newborn to younger toddlers. The wrap handled my 26 pound wrappee and was very comfortable with a lot of cush. Delano is unreleased and I will be watching for release information on this one.

Thank you to Monika at Kokoskaa for allowing me to test this wonderful wrap.

Check out Kokoskaa's chatter group on Facebook 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.

Fiolia Handwovens Vintage Gem Review

Fiolia Handwovens Vintage Gem
Cotton/ lyocell 285 GSM
1 year and 25 pounds

I was immediately impressed with how soft and airy Vintage Gem was when I first opened it up. The colors feel a bit different and unexpected, robin's egg blue and tones of magenta purple with some creamy nudes.

In hand Vintage Gem is silky soft and smooth. The weave is not dense, but loose and airy, overall it is a light feeling wrap, not weighty. The pattern is a herringbone twill pattern, but not a lot of texture as I ran my hand over, very slippery feeling due to the lyocell content.

 
This wrap will appeal to those looking for more unconventional color combos and the extra depth of hand dyed wefts adds a lovely color shift depending on lighting. The lyocell also adds a slight shimmer. The colors work equally well for cooler and warm seasons in my opinion.

I wore this wrap in FWCC, double hammock different variations, and ruck with my 25 pound wrappee. Drapes beautifully and so easy to work with, passes glide with ease. This is a wrap that needs a slightly more precise wrapper, tightening is easy to start, but you have to be careful to maintain tension well as the wrap has a good slip to it. I would have loved to test this one in Summer, I think the light and airy feel would be wonderful then. I preferred to use Vintage Gem in multi pass carries with my wrappee, rucks had tolerable comfort, but I could definitely feel it in my upper back and shoulders for those longer periods of wearing. For me this was already a soft wrap that got softer and floppier with use. The negative side of how airy this wrap is, the loose weave is pull prone, I had some close calls, though no actual pulls while it was in my care.

If you are looking for a quality, well made handwoven wrap that is light and airy and feels thin in hand with low texture and little to no grip, look no further than Vintage Gem. Very nice and neat selvedges and hems, you can tell the weaver has a good eye for details. What impressed me the most about Vintage Gem though was how tight and smooth I was able to get my chest passes with no bulkiness whatsoever, something I can appreciate both in Winter when I am wearing bulky layers already, and in Summer when I do not want a thick wrap. I do not recommend Vintage Gem to wrappers who don’t like lyocell/Tencel and texture lovers can also pass on this one. I recommend Vintage Gem in your base size for the best support and most comfort. I think this would make a lovely squish wrap, the softness and mouldability is really there for a newborn and it will work well as baby gets older.

 
Thank you to Rini at Fiolia Handwovens for allowing me to test the lovely Vintage Gem.

Join the chatter group 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.*

Vesper Galaxia Glow Review

Vesper Galaxia Glow
100% cotton / 260 GSM
1 year and 24 pounds

Of course the first thing I noticed about Galaxia Glow was the amazing hot pink color. The pattern is very geometric and adds an embossed feel though the wrap is still slightly flat feeling giving it a low to medium texture.

In hand I noted the dry feel, not terribly dry, but drier than what I usually wrap with. The combed cotton adds a softness, both "right" and "wrong" sides were very similar in feel. There is also almost no stretch. As I am stretch lover I know that this will likely make the wrap more of a challenge for me since I do rely on stretch when wrapping and tightening. The texture is certainly there, but in a subtle low texture way as the wrap is woven smooth and flat besides the pattern. This also makes me think Galaxia Glow will not be pull prone, the density is solidly medium and the wrap flat besides the texture of the pattern.

Galaxia Glows looks will appeal to you if you like your wraps to be attention getting because the hot pink is kind of "bam"! The geometric pattern gives a modern feel combined with sth a lil rock n roll. The wrap is girly because it's pink, but I really don't see it fitting in well if you have a very romantic or floral patterned wardrobe.

This tester wrapped like a 4, but Vesper has addressed shrinkage issues with this run of wraps, which have now been sorted out with their mill for future releases. Vesper is a newer wrap company and I appreciate their transparency on this. I used this wrap for FWCC tied under bum, kangaroo, and shepherd's. Again because this wrap is dry and has almost no stretch it was a different wrapping experience for me. Combined with the grip from the texture and the extremely low stretch it was more difficult for me to tighten this wrap and it did not mould easily to my baby and me, but my wrap jobs were rock solid. Once you get passes into place, they stay there, no give and no sagging.

This is the wrap for you if you don't enjoy stretch and you want a drier texture with some grip, so you will want to pass if you are a stretch lover like me. For those that will enjoy the solid wrapping qualities of Vesper Galaxia Glow I think it will shine in a shorty, a 3 or 4 for a older baby 15 pounds and up, rather than a newborn. Not that you can't use this wrap with a newborn, but the mouldability I like for wee babies isn't here.

Thank you to Ilse at Vesper Wraps for the opportunity to test this bright and bold beauty.

For more info on Vesper Wraps visit their Facebook page here and their chatter group here.