This idea will usually give most women... and especially men
the heebie jeebies on first thought.
Once the idea is introduced curiosity usually sets in.
Once the curiosity is satisfied many women (my friends) are interested in giving it a go.
So there are many ways to go. Purchase from a local person, usually a stay at home mom that runs a business making pads, nursing pads and cloth diapers from home. Most childrens boutiques will have information on one or two good sources. In my area belly baby and beyond has a great source that uses organic bamboo velour. They are so soft you will want a blankey from that material. There are many internet stores selling them as well. I love the look and feel of Luna Pads but am not to thrilled with the price. For 21.00 I can make about 10 pads myself. Even cheaper if I use the clearance fabrics with additional coupon savings. For me I want to pick the cute fabrics even if it is just me seeing them.
So here is a small photo tutorial of my latest attempt at cloth pads.
The last photo will show an Ebay purchased pad, a Luna Pad and my homemade pad.
First lets talk fabric.
Snuggle Flannel, you want the one that is very soft to the touch and if your like me you want cute patterns. It just makes you fell better to have something soft and cute.
Fleece, this is the area that will touch your lady parts and it is nice and soft, it is breathable!
Nylon, I use a layer of nylon for some peace of mind on the waterproof factor.
You can make these using your favorite pads as a pattern, tracing them on to paper and cutting your fabric according to the size you want. I have panty liners, medium pads and over night pads. Each has a different amount of layering and different sizing.
So first here is my fabric two layers wrong side together. I cut out the fabric with a wings pattern because I prefer wings that snap together.
I got two pads with two inserted layers from 1/3 yard of flannel
There are two layers of flannel there.
Then I cut a piece of nylon the same shape and slightly bigger than the the middle absorbent areas.
I insert this between the pad base layers.
Close it back up and then cut a piece of fleece the same size as the flannel absorbent middle layer, and sandwich it all together.
The photo above is a layer of fleece, two layers of flannel cut to the long oval shape, it is on top of the pad base, which has a nylon core between the base layers. You can add more layers of flannel between the fleece and base for more absorbency.
Now you're ready to sew.
I start with a line down the middle of the pad to hold it all together I run the line from the top of the fleece to the bottom of the fleece. Then depending on how many layers I run another line on each side to keep it all held down. Then run a zig zag all the way around the flannel to bind it and the nylon to the fleece. Last zig zag the around the fleece edges making sure to go off the edge to help bind it and stop the edges from getting frayed when it is washed. I would surge it if I had a server, but I just zig zag around it twice. Then set in a snap on the wings.
This is my finished pad on the left, one from Ebay in the middle and one from Luna Pads on the right.
The luna pad is just to thin for me and a bit small. I like the Ebay pad but wished it was softer like the luna pad. So I used the Ebay pad as my pattern for sizing and copied the fabrics of the Luna Pad.
I am very happy with the outcome. I have several more patterns of flannel to make more.
I highly suggest these for post partum when your sore and bleeding heavy.
Use an overnight pad for your pattern when making post partum pads!
Make some for a new mom you love!
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