Help!... Wanting to make menstrual pads

[root*children]

So it just seems that 10 bucks is too much to pay for each of these! I was thinking I would just buy one and copy the pattern. But I'm clueless on fabric here. And I've actually always wondered what kind of fabric you'd use for this. I'm assuming it's the same you'd use for a diaper? But the only pretty fabrics I notice at the store are for quilting and don't seem adequate for this. Any advise? What type of fabric should I buy? Where do I buy it? eBay? Online shops?
TIA mamas!

[mehndi mama]

Try quilting flannel for the pretty layers It's gorgeous, thick, soft, strong.......it'll do ya good. Most pad-makers I know also use cotton or hemp fleece for inner layers, a few use cotton velour for the skin-touching parts.....just use whatever feels good to you.
I've even used the cotton Warm 'n Natural quilt batting for my pad padding - it has held up beautifully for years without quilting, which really surprised me. I don't think I'd use it for diapers, but it was great for pads!

[root*children]

Where do you buy cotton or hemp fleece?

[mehndi mama]

Usually online from diapering supply WAHM's or co-ops. I'd give www.fabriconnection.com a try, or see what's available thru the sewingsupplycoop yahoo group.

[mehndi mama]

Another option is to find a cotton sweatshirt or two at a thrift shop, and cut that up. It's the same stuff

[judybean]

Here's a free pattern site http://www.diapersewing.com/clothpads.htm ... I haven't ever made the official pattern... I've only just folded up pieces of diaper flannel (from walmart) and it's worked great but I've only halfway used it.. I was scared to jump in all the way, but it's worked so far!

[pugmommy7]

I recycle flannel recieving blankets for this purpose.( i just made a bunch this week actually) it cost me absolutely 0$!
I made a template, cut out,sew together in various layers for a variety of thickness absorbancy.(like 2 for a liner etc etc..)
I set my machine on the tightest zigzag since it does not serge. this seems to prevent any fraying.I do it about 1/4 inch from the edge. so cut a bit wider than you will finally want. then trim again after sewing.(to neaten them up.)
super soft and comfy and the flannel seems to stay put.plus it gets softer w. each washing. i wash them w/ the dipes.

so far I have used them only in pregnancy for liners- i have been pregnant and bfing for the past two years so...
I have also used towel terry-recycled some old threadbare towels for the bottom layer, that seems to work for both absorbancy and to hold it in place since i don't use snaps.
I will make the next batch with a top layer of fleece. it seems to work great for the babies bums(at wicking)
good luck!
hth

[lunchbox]

I made a bunch using leftover flannel from some PJs I made. I used Warm & Natural and more flannel on the inside. The last ones I made were diamond shaped with snaps on the sides. Sooo comfortable. I was going to make and sell them but its hard to have my sewing stuff out with a toddler. The ladies that test drove them LOVED them.

I also used some old towels for inside. Flannel receiving blankets are a dime a dozen at Goodwill....

[chow46]

I second using recieving blankets. I've been grabbing recieving blankets from goodwill and garage sells to make prefolds with and tried out the pad pattern from diapersewing.com using it and they are very comfy! I had sooo many blankets from baby showers and I never really used them (I sling so they were always warm anyway). Great way to reuse and recycle! HTH!

[pugmommy7]

I just looked at the pattern.
ok... these are really fancy shmancy!

my x-mas list:
serging machine
snap press

[chow46]

LoL!! I didn't use either! I used the tight zigzag like someone else suggested and velcro instead of snaps.

[Ann-Marita]

I'm planning on making pads before my next AF. I just bought a couple of 100% cotton flannel sheets at thrift stores. Will this do?

I also got 100% cotton burp pads that claim to be waterproof. I'll use this as a near-the-bottom layer. But not the part that wraps around the panties - it's too stiff. I found waterproof nylon that feels very cottony, and I'll use this for the part that wraps around the panties.

Also, has anyone been unhappy with velcro on mama pads? It seems easier right now - I've done velcro on other projects over the years, but I've never attempted snaps.

I'm making my own pattern. (I've done this before for various projects, mostly costumes.) I'll post on this board and let you know how they turn out.

[chow46]

I use velcro on mine. The disposable pads I used to use had a velcro-like closure on the wings and i liked that a lot. Also, to me, it seems easier to just sew the velcro on rather than mess with snaps. Maybe I'm wrong but for now, the velcro works just fine!

[mehndi mama]

Also, has anyone been unhappy with velcro on mama pads?

I used velcro dots on my first pads.......and they chafed horribly. It was worst when wearing dresses, but even under jeans, those little velcor hooks seemed to find my thighs every time!
Obviously, this hasn't been a problem for everyone, but I personally don't recommend snaps for this reason. I used the pound-on gripper-snaps, or the larger sew-on snaps before I got my snap press.
You can also turn-and-topstitch your pads - a serger isn't needed.

Also, just a note on waterproofing layers - I found that I didn't need a barrier layer. I know this is an individual thing, but I've only leaked through a pad about 5 times in the 9 years I've been using cloth. If you'd like extra protection, but still have it be breathable, you could use some thinner wool (again, try recycled sources - a thin merino sweater, a wool flannel shirt....) to make a rectangular "barrier liner" to put under your snap-in pad.
Waterproofing was something I worried quite a bit about BEFORE I made myself pads. It got me wondering why only a small handful of companies offered nylon-backed pads. SO I tried some with no barrier, and I found that the cloth does a fine job of keeping it all in. You just have to adjust your absorbency to your flow