How to Make Cloth Menstrual Pads

Using cloth menstural pads (aka: mama cloth) can save you a lot of money! They are pretty, environmentally friendly, and cost effective.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flannel Fabric
• PUL Fabric
• Microfiber or Terry Cloth
• Cutting mat
• Scissors (or rotary knife)
• Snaps (optional)
• Paper to trace pattern
• Sewing Machine and thread

1. Cut out all your pieces.
   First, lay your store-bought menstrual pad on your paper. (you can use any kind of paper for this, or even a paper grocery bag)
   
   Now that you've got your pattern cut out, it's time to cut your fabric.
   
   Cut 3 layers of flannel fabric, using your pattern.
   Cut 1 layer of PUL fabric, using your pattern.
   Cut 1 layer of microfiber or terry cloth, using your pattern.
   (For your terry cloth, you can use old towels, or use microfiber towels found in the car washing section at your local store)

2. Step 2: Assemble your soaker layers
   
   First, sew your inside layers together.
   Sandwich your layer of microfiber (or terry cloth) between two of your flannel cutouts.
   Sew all three layers together by doing a zigzag stitch thru the center. (no need to sew around the edges yet.

3. Step 3: Finish assembly
   
   Sew your insert (the three layers you just put together) to your flannel top layer.
   
   Sew your PUL layer on top of your flannel top layer, leaving a small opening to turn right side out.
   
   Turn and top stitch.
   
   Include snaps on the wings, if you choose.
   
   Use with the flannel layer on top and the PUL layer on the bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• Your inner layers don't need to be pretty. Any old flannel and terry (or microfiber) will work. Save your pretty flannel for your top layer.
• Buy coordinating snaps and PUL to match your top flannel layer. Or buy a solid PUL that will coordinate well with any flannel pattern. (ie: white, brown, black)
• Wash on cold first. Then on hot with regular detergent. Tumble dry and re-use as needed.