Menstruation is a regular part of millions of women’s lives. If you are looking an alternative to commercially manufactured pads or tampons, making your own pads using fleece and cotton fabric is a viable option. The low cost of materials and ease of assembly make homemade pads drastically less expensive than feminine products available in stores. Also, homemade pads are reusable, giving them even more value. Cotton and fleece are also noticeably more comfortable than the plastic and cotton used to made commercial products. By making your own homemade pads, you are creating the opportunity to enjoy a cheap, eco-friendly product that feels good against your skin during your monthly cycle.
Materials Needed:
Comfortable pair of underwear
Ruler
Felt-tip marker
Fleece fabric
Scissors
Cotton fabric
Needle and thread or a sewing machine.
Step One:
Measure the crotch portion of a comfortable pair of underwear using a ruler, noting the section’s length and width. Multiply the width by two. Use a felt-tip marker and the ruler to draw a rectangle onto the fleece fabric that matches the original measurement’s length and doubled width. Cut the rectangle out with scissors.
Step Two:
Add 1/2-inch to the doubled width measurement and 1 inch to the original length measurement. Use the felt-tip marker and the ruler to draw a rectangle onto the cotton fabric that matches these new measurements. Cut the rectangle out with scissors.
Step Three:
Fold the cotton rectangle lengthwise with the right sides facing each other. Use the needle and thread or the sewing machine to sew along one short open side and the long open side, working 1/2-inch inward from the edges. This will create a pouch. Turn the pouch right-side-out. Fold the fleece rectangle in half lengthwise and tuck it into the top opening. Sew the opening closed.
Step Four:
You should now have a complete pad comprised of four layers of fabric. Sew across the entire pad, making one line lengthwise down the middle and another line widthwise. Secure any loose threads to finish.
Tips:
These homemade pads are capable of handling light to moderate menstrual cycles. Thoroughly rinse out your pads after use, then clean them normally in a washer and dryer.