mama pads from old T-shirts?

[peaceful_mama]

Read this in this month's magazine. Can't find a pattern or advice through Google.

I have 3 kids. I have no shortage of cotton T-shirts with holes, stained whatever that could be recycled into pads and save me money...if I only knew how!

I do have a sewing machine and a very basic idea how to use it.

even if I'm not able to make something that works for my heaviest day, if I can re-use something 5 or 6 out of 7 I'd think I'm doing something good.

Another question:: could I make some sort of pantiliner/light day pad from Gerber-type prefolds? (I know they're not great at holding in pee as a diaper but for this purpose, it would be hardly anything to hold in...and I have a pack sitting around)

Please help!

[orangefoot]

Take t-shirt out of your search term and you should find hundreds.

A search for sew mama pads or sew cloth pads will get you started. Then it is a matter of experimenting to see which shape you like best.

I sewed a few pads from this pattern which are just layers of t-shirt. They are very soft and flexible but as I didn't add a waterproof layer they are only good for very light flow. I made them when I had lost my mooncup and didn't want to go and buy any pads or tampons!

[bandgeek]

I made my first set out of old t-shirts and they held up for 3 years. I made a new stash and passed the old ones onto a non-squeamish friend.

What I would do first is make sure the t-shirts are thoroughly stripped, like you would diapers. You don't want soap build up next to such sensitive parts! It's easier to get it out of a 1 layer shirt than a 4-6 layer pad ya know?

I used scrap fleece for the waterproof layer. It was more than sufficient. I used old prefolds and flannel receiving blankets for the soaker. I could have used the t-shirts, but honestly, I felt the other stuff would absorb better.

I just took the measurements of a basic pad and drew my own pattern with wings with a seam allowance and turned and top stitched. I'd never sewn at all before and made a usable pad as my first project, so it's pretty easy.

I used the hammer on snaps from a craft store. They are a pain, but since you only have to do one set per pad, it's not a big deal.

[peaceful_mama]

So....I *think* I can do that, draw out a pattern for one using the size of the brand I currently use and like.

And I have tons of scrap fleece, and, like I said, no shortage of cotton t-shirts no longer wearable.

Where does the fleece go? Am I making something that's two layers T-shirt with an inner fleece layer? Does it go on top next to the skin like I did with diapers? (not homemade diapers I basically made scrap fleece inserts)

Given the purpose I really don't care what they *look* like as long as they're functional.

If I mention these snap things to somebody at a JoAnn's Hobby Lobby Michaels, will they know what I mean and point me in the right direction? *definently* want wings

thanks!

[tsfairy]

My first homemade pads were traced from a sposie pad. The wings need to be a little longer than sposies so they can snap together.

Fleece goes on the bottom of the pad. You'll want at least 3-4 (maybe up to 6ish) layers of t-shirt, and then 1 layer of polyester fleece. I've heard you can also put fleece on top for a sort of stay-dry layer but I've never felt like that was necessary with my pads.

If you're using a serger, you can just put all the layers together and serge the edges. If you're sewing with a regular machine, what I usually do is cut the winged pad shape from one layer of t-shirt and the fleece. Then cut an hourglass shape for the rest of the layers, and make the hourglass a little smaller than the top and bottom layers you've cut. Then put all the inner layers on the backside of the top layer, and use a wide zig-zag to sew them together. Then put the fleece against the front of the top layer, and sew around, leaving 1/4" or so for a seam allowance. Don't forget to leave an opening for turning! Then turn the pad right side out and sew the opening closed. You can topstitch here, but it's not really necessary. Snaps go on last and will hold the layers together well. This method makes for a really trim pad with really good absorbency.

Yep, anyone at a fabric or craft store should be able to find the snaps for you. You want the ones you need to hammer on. There are also a kind you can sew on, which won't be as durable but could work if it's all you can find.