I love reusable cloth menstrual pads. I didn’t have a large enough stash though, and needed to use disposable pads last time my Aunt Flo came. Big mistake. My cycles are so much heavier and more uncomfortable when I’m using chemical saturated disposable sanitary napkins that I hopefully will never need to use them again. But first, I needed to sew a whole bunch more cloth “mama pads”.
I decided to use a different pattern than I used last time, because I thought these would work better, and they definitely do!

Homemade Cloth Pads- Instructions

1. Using a disposable pad as a guide, draw a paper pattern approximately 2 inches bigger than the pad all around, making sure to add wide wings if the pad you’re using as a guide is wingless. This will be your paper pattern for the upper part of the pad. We’ll call it “Pattern A”. Cut it out.

A whole bunch of Pieces A,B, and C waiting to be cut out.

2. You’ll be making pocket pads, so you will have three parts total. The top, and then two pieces for the bottom that will overlap to make a pocket. Trace 3/4 of the way around the paper pattern, drawing an additional piece that should be the same height as the pad and contain only one wing. We’ll call this “Pattern B”. Cut this out, flip it the other way, and trace and cut out another copy as the pattern for the other half of the pocket. We’ll call this “Pattern C”.

A closer look of a cut out A, B and C.

3. Trace Pattern A on a piece of fleece or thick flannel, and then cut it out. I used an old, thrift store flannel blanket with hemmed edges. We’ll call this piece “Piece A”.
4. Trace Patterns B and C, keeping the straight edges of the pattern flush against a hemmed edge if your flannel contains any hemmed edge. If it does not and you’re using flannel, you’ll need to add an extra inch of material so you can hem it yourself. Fleece does not need hemming. Cut them out. We’ll call these “Pieces B and C”. (If you need to hem, hem now.)

 5. Lay Piece A down, pretty side (if there is one), face up. Lay Pieces B and C on top of Piece A, face down, so that the wings and all the other edjges match up. The straight edges of Pieces B and C should overlap. Pin into place.

Piece A cut out with Piece B on top, lined up so the edges match.

Piece A with Pieces B and C on top, edges aligned.

A close look of pieces A, B and C placed together and pinned together, ready to be sewn.

A whole bunch of pads pinned together, ready to be sewn.

6. Sew all the way around the pad, as close to the edge of the material as you can, but making sure that you’re sewing both sides together and not just one side. Sew a second seam all the way around to help prevent fraying and to make it sturdier in general.

7. Flip the pad right side out. To use, lay inside your underwear and fold the sides down. You can use a safety pin or add snaps to secure it, but it isn’t necessary. For heavier days, consider folding up a small washcloth to put inside the pocket. On lighter days, use the pad alone.

The finished pad, turned right side out.

Finished pad, folded, ready for use, upside down.

Finished pad, folded and ready for use. Upright.

Wash on a cold cycle in your washing machine, and hang to dry.

I know I’ve asked this question before, but if you’re a pad gal, would you consider using cloth pads? If you make your own, what pattern do you use?