Cloth Pads
Intro: Cloth Pads
Apparently the average woman will use around 17,000 pads or tampons in her lifetime, the majority of which are flushed down the toilet, a terrible though huh? Just imagine the waste they produce, damage they cause and the money they cost us.
After having my second child i breastfed until she was around 15 months old therefore i didn't menstruate, it was great. Soon after i weaned her from the boob my cycle returned, ugh, i started using tampons again and i hate them. So, i have stared to make my own cloth pads.
Made from cotton flannel these can be made in many sizes to suit, panty liners, regular pads with inserts or night-time pads with inserts. They have 'wings' to keep them in place which fasten with a press stud.
Why not save money, create less waste and be kinder to your body (disposable's contain chemicals that can affect your body such as cramping) and make yourself some of these pads. You can find the pattern here.
After having my second child i breastfed until she was around 15 months old therefore i didn't menstruate, it was great. Soon after i weaned her from the boob my cycle returned, ugh, i started using tampons again and i hate them. So, i have stared to make my own cloth pads.
Made from cotton flannel these can be made in many sizes to suit, panty liners, regular pads with inserts or night-time pads with inserts. They have 'wings' to keep them in place which fasten with a press stud.
Why not save money, create less waste and be kinder to your body (disposable's contain chemicals that can affect your body such as cramping) and make yourself some of these pads. You can find the pattern here.
STEP 1: Step 1
You will need:
flannel for outer
flannel for inner
scissors
pins
sewing machine
Wash, dry and press your fabric. I have used half a metre of flannel and folded it to cut out 4 pads at once.
flannel for outer
flannel for inner
scissors
pins
sewing machine
Wash, dry and press your fabric. I have used half a metre of flannel and folded it to cut out 4 pads at once.
STEP 2: Step 2
Cut out your pattern pieces and taking each of the bottom pieces fold their opening edges over 1/4 inch, press then fold over again, press and sew in place.
STEP 3: Step 3
Take each of the bottom pieces and fold the opening edge over 1/4 inch, press then fold over again, press and sew in place.
STEP 4: Step 4
Press. Top stitch around the edge and sew down each side to form the wings. Add press studs to the wings.
STEP 5: Step 5
Make a pad to fit inside, i have recycled a flannel bed sheet. I sewed 2 pieces together, turned right sides out and top stitched all the way around. I made it large enough to be folded into 4 layers and quilted it randomly to keep it in shape.
STEP 6: Step 6
All finished!
52 Comments
Ramya1208 5 years ago
Rockerdog 16 years ago
sdhardie1 8 years ago
I use clothies as backup for a cup. Very heavy, clotty flow, and the pads work wonders. I use them overnight and haven't had any issues. Bonus: no rash like I used to get w/ the plastic kind!
ragdali 14 years ago
ragdali 14 years ago
***NOTE** Also by "wicking" I meant that they will wick onto other clothing if you use cotton prints/material on the outter most layer.
If you want the most absorbency and you have a super heavy flow you can use microfiber the kind used for drying dishes etc (also found in automotive departments for drying after washing cars) it will be plenty absorbent enough with a couple layers and still trim so they wont be noticeable under clothing.
chuckthelovemachine 12 years ago
sdhardie1 8 years ago
I know it may come as a shock, but roughly half the world's population will menstruate over the course of a lifetime. So yes. For serious.
JoyfullJuneBug 9 years ago
Going to be making some for panty liners until I build up the courage to use the pads.
loristrout 11 years ago
Moem 11 years ago
AluraDankk 11 years ago
YummyCuteClothingLine 12 years ago
SylverX 13 years ago
Besides that, I LOVE the instructable! Well-written and informative . . . I don't want 17,000 pads of mine in any landfill! Great job!
Concupiscence 13 years ago
JEarly1990 13 years ago
Nadine23 14 years ago
Kind of like Luna Pads
I use a combination off pretty much all products available.
I'm allergic disposable pads but I'm not comfortable using cloth ones when I'm at school or out. Cloth pads are super comfortable and I use them when I'm at home. I've pretty much cut down to one disposable pad per cycle and just use tampons. I'm hoping to switch to the diva/moon cup but like...what do you do when you are out...you can't rinse it out in a public bathroom sink...or you shouldn't anyway....
ohthatdeb 14 years ago
Nettiemac 14 years ago
ClaudiaRN 14 years ago
Devious_1 14 years ago