Materials:
Flannel material (we recycled some pyjamas that are no longer worn)
Towelling material for the inner pad
Sewing machine
Scissors
Cotton
Metal press studs and gadget to attach the press studs
These are the drawings for the towelling inner pad on the left and the outer flannel pad on the right. Jen drew both of them on an A4 size piece of paper. The left pad is 8 inches from top to bottom and the right pad is 8 and a quarter inches from top to bottom (slightly larger).
This is the pad base diagram, 9 inches from top to bottom and 8 inches from side to side at its widest in the middle.
Cut out cardboard templates for the pads.
Trace around the templates. You need 2 pad bases cut out.
And two of these pads covers cut out in flannel.
Trace and cut out 4 of the smaller towelling pads for the inner pad.
All the pieces cut out.
Sew all the 4 toweling pads together.
Then zig-zag around the edge.
Put the two right sides of the pad bases together and sew all the way around.
Just cut a straight line opening through one side of the pad base and turn onto the right side.
Zig-zag around the outer edge of the outer pad.
Cut a straight opening on one side of the pad cover.
Turn onto the right side.
Put the towelling inner pad into the pad cover.
Zig-zag all around the pad edge.
Finished pad base with sides and pad. Place the cut pad openings together so that they will not be visible when the pad is finished.
Cut pad openings are placed together and are not visible.
Sew two straight lines either side of the middle of the pad to secure the pad to the holder. The cut openings will also not be visible if you lift the pad on the sides as the pad has been sewn on either side of the middle.
Attach press studs to either side of the side flaps.
And you are finished!!
Jen and I have spent wonderful mama daughter time together by making this tutorial, having many conversations about the menstrual cycle and all the other changes that are taking place too… I really feel that this is a wonderful way for her to transition into womanhood, slowly and mindfully… Have a lovely day,
xo xo
Linda and Jenna
Jen and Linda, thank you so much! We will be making a bunch of these soon.
Blessings, Elizabeth
This isn´t “only” a great tutorial, it is a great idea! thanks so much Jen (!) and Linda!
JenMuna
Nice and comfortable and breathable too….lovely job Jen and Linda, great tutorial
Excellent tutorial – thank you ladies!
I’ve been thinking about making some of these! I love your tutorial. How do you like them? I started using the Diva cup but I like the reassurance that a pad gives.
Hi Linda, lovely tutorial. I’ve been using my homemade cloth pads for a few years now and mine are a little different, I include a layer of thin waterproof fabric inside the top pad, which you cut a little smaller and squish in last through the turning hole, it all seems to hold in place with no scrunching inside. Mine are made of flannelette and no toweling.
Also I have found that any stitching across the bulk of the pad leads to leaking, you might like to redesign a little if that happens! Once I have the layer of waterproof fabric and no stiching except around the edges I have a very secure pad, and oh so comfy compared to any disposable product.
PS because I use the thin waterproof fabric rather than toweling my pads are not too bulky …Which is nice …
Hey Fiona,
Waterproof fabric is great, but on warm days and in really hot countries with regular pads you get too sweaty,uncomfortable and your skin gets irritated. So I’m wondering, because I’m just looking into this waterproof fabric breath the same way as regular pads?
What a great bonding experience!!
This is such a wonderful idea. I doubt I could use it cos I bleed too heavily. Wonder if my 11yo would like these? Her menstral cycle is very close to starting now.
Thanks for the excellent step by step tutorial.
Dee
Sydney, Australia
xx
Hi Dee, I too am a HEAVY bleeder and if you make these out of washcloths or terrycloth material it works better than any store bought pads.. No cramps from tampons and no stained clothes from leaks, love them!!
I can not untill I have the time to have a go and make these. I have been thinking of using a moon cup but I prefer this by far. Well done you and Jen. I’ll let you know how I get on!
thanks for your tutorial, i love it, if i can save it.
Girls, I think what you’re doing is great. As I mentioned earlier, I haven’t done this before. What fabric is best used? I’m reading about organic cotton, does it make a difference? Can I just use old cotton and fleece clothes at home to recycle.
Another thing, Linda and Jenna, I love your style, it seems very convenient and looks similar to regular disposable pads. this is also the first time I see that the pad is stitched on top of the pad base. I was just wondering, why don’t you place velcro on the areas you cut open and have extra pads on the side to change? Wouldn’t that be more convenient?
What a well laid out tutorial. Thank You for sharing. @Shtiya what a great idea about the velcro I’m going to try that when I make these
I love this idea! I mean, we use cloth diapers for our babies, so why not use cloth pads too? I don’t know why this hasn’t crossed my mind until I saw this!
How does the cleaning go? Do they seem to clean each time pretty well? Or do they stay stained?
I’m prone to YI, so this should be great… allows more breathing room!
I’m going to be making some of these soon, and am reading different tutorials and comments to find all the different elements I like best. I love the idea for Velcro, but am wondering how it would hold up… Would a snap near the end of both ends work without causing leakage?
the idea is very nice but I want to ask how to wash the stain is difficult and certainly many are left behind
Keep a cold water basin near the toilet. When you take off a soiled pad, soak it in the cold water for several hours, wring it out, then put it in with your other dirty laundry. It helps to pull out the blood so you avoid staining.
Is there anywhere to get a printable pattern for these?
I LOVE this idea! I am SUPER sensitive to store bought pads and think this is a great solution. I am going to change it a little and use Velcro for the padding to attach. That way throughout the day all you have to change (hopefully) is the padding. I also like the idea of having a container of water to put them in, in the bathroom. I think it should have a lid and I am going to put some hydrogen peroxide in to help take out the stains (this works wonderful on blood) and to keep it more sanitary. I am going to make tons so I NEVER am without a pad. This is great for food storage too for all of you who do that. Thanks for this wonderful idea!
Pour hydrogen peroxide over used pads, let soak 15-20 minutes & wash with towels. The stain comes out. Love these, thanks for the idea!
I just made one tonight using your directions (with some tweaking to fit my needs). What a wonderful tutorial! I am about to have my third baby and am so excited to try these out postpartum. I react terribly to disposable pads and tampons and have been looking for clear directions to make my own. Thank you for sharing your talent!
Thank you for this post. I have a daughter who just started her period earlier this year. When I was young, no one told me about the mountain of garbage I would produce in forty years of menstruating. Presently, I use a Diva Cup myself but my daughter finds the idea of even tampons horrifying at this point.
I want to suggest something “safe” for my daughter but also avoid the mountain of garbage. I really like that you “recycled” old pyjamas for this project. I would like to have your family as neighbors! My girls would never feel “weird” with you as our neighbors. Wouldn’t it be great to have our new young women get together and make their own pads to celebrate their passage into young adulthood?
I have been using cloth pads for five years now. I used flannel, with warm and natural cotton batting for my “core”. I tried terry, but wasn’t thrilled with the absorbency. I’m a very heavy bleeder. I have some AIO like yours, and they are fabulous. For my overnight/crime scene days, I have some that tri fold, and are just smaller than face rags. The easiest, and the ones I have the most of are like your topper, but they have wings just stitched to the bottom. I can slide an extra “booster” in (sides are stitched but the missile part is not) If needed.
If I had daughters, we would do this together. I have a niece, and will be giving her a few to try when she starts her monthly. If she likes them, I will teach her how to make them.
BTW, my first ones still work great! I have a large Tupperware bucket with seal and handle. I use tea tree Castile soap ( a squirt or two of the liquid) in the bucket of water by my toilet. Used pads go in to soak until I am done bleeding. Then the entire bucket gets dumped in the wash with towels and other no fabric softener laundry. It all goes through with my normal soap. I have very few stains. The stained ones are from a camping trip without my bucket.
Great post!
Thanks for this tutorial! It looks so easy. I’m going to try it. Can’t wait to have some pads in my favorite colors.
Nice tutorial. I have wondered what I would use in case of emergencies. It is a good way to use old torn towels. I am sure it is more comfortable than the sticky taped disposables. Thanks for sharing
This is a wonderful idea. I will make a few and try them out at home before I wear them out and about. What a great way to save some money while saving the planet.
Thanks for tutorial. I will definitely be making some of these for myself and my daughters.
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial . I made these using PUL fabric for myself and my daughter . It is comfortable and no leaks ! You see Iam menopausal and have slight urine leakage only once in a while and this pad gives me the security I need to stay active . My daughter has very heavy periods and swears these pads have eased here cramps and she has lighter periods. The store bought pads contain some kind of absorptive chemical that can leach thru the skin . I am glad we can save money while helping the planet and ourselves . Thanks for sharing with us !
So far best tutorial ive found on how to make them I’ve even bought a pattern of etsy and it wasn’t as nice as this one
I’m going to start seeing a few 2morrow I’m going to just add PUL since I’m bleed so havey(like change overnite disposable every 30 min to an hour I even sometimes have to use the Always Super overnite -purple- they like postpartum pads kinda on reg. days) hope they work…
For the ladies with heavy periods I make mine with pul. I get it from kidsinthegarden.com. You can get cotton or polyester pul there. I don’t have heavy periods any more because I don’t use disposables any more I also don’t have cramps and I don’t have to wear diapers yes I had to wear a diaper every time I had my period. They are easy to clean I run peroxide on them and a little soap ivory bar soap works ok. Then I soak them in a bucket of cold water in my linen closet. I got my bucket at the dollar store and a dish tub that is supposed to go in the sink as a cover. I empty the water every other day and refill with cold water. At the end of my period I run them in the washer on cold with half the soap I normally use and do a second rinse with vinegar I don’t need softener that way it also takes care of static and any soap residue then I put in the dryer I have to dry them a little longer then most because mine have hemp in them and bamboo on them. Bamboo velor against your female parts feels wonderful compared to paper and plastic and glue on a disposable.
Just wondering. Why do you cut the two parts in the middle? What does it do for you?
The two pieces are cut in the middle so that you can turn them inside out when you are finished.
