How to Make Homemade Padded Panties
Incontinence is a subject few enjoy discussing. In our aging society, though, it's a common malady that manufacturers have recognized and addressed. Just as there are many brands of disposable diapers on the store shelves, now there are competitive brands of "incontinence panties" that help people maintain their dignity. However, disposable undergarments can be expensive and take a long time to biodegrade. One solution is to make your own women's padded panties.
Things You'll Need
- Sewing machine
- Basic sewing kit
- Ruler
- Sturdy paper, 16 by 16 inches
- Sanitary napkin, extra long
- Pencil
- Panties, women's cotton brief size 6
- Diaper, cotton 6-ply center panel
- Flannel, lightweight, decorative print
- Drying towel, PVA -- extra absorbent, found in most automotive departments
- Vinyl, one-half yard lightweight
Instructions
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1
Place the sanitary napkin onto the paper and draw a line around it, then set the napkin aside. Measure the length of the pattern. If needed, redraw the lines farther out on each end so that the length measures 10 inches.
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2
To create a bigger absorbency surface, widen the side-back and side-front areas of the pattern by 1 to 3 inches; mimicking the shape of the panty crotch piece. Draw a line all the way around the pattern, one-half inch out from the original line for seam allowance.
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3
Cut one pad shape from the thickest part of the diaper, one from the vinyl, and one from the flannel. Cut two from the drying towel and trim away one-fourth inch all the way around these pads; this will allow the layers to nest inside the perimeter of the vinyl pad.
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4
Stack the flannel layer (print side down), then the diaper layer, then the drying towel layers. Pin layers together and, using a long straight stitch, machine sew down the center, across the crotch and around the perimeter, one-half inch in from the raw edges.
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5
Pin the vinyl layer to the drying-towel side of the pad; zig-zag all layers together using a wide and long stitch. Line up and center the pad inside the panty crotch area and pin in place, then zig-zag the pad to the panties.
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Tips & Warnings
Machine wash, using all-fabric non-chlorine bleach; machine dry (cool) or line dry
For larger panties, make the pad longer and wider
Presoaking soiled panty in gentle laundry soap and water will reduce the need for bleach
Cut out and sew several pairs at a time--once you make the pattern, setting up an assembly line is easy
Using colorful print flannel against the body will make resulting stains less visible
To replace the vinyl layer, remove the pad from the panties, carefully cut off and replace the vinyl layer and stitch the whole pad onto the panties
Despite the absorbent quality of the pad, there may still be seepage
Bodily fluids will stain the flannel layer
Pad will add thickness to panties and may show through clothing
Vinyl will degrade over time, due to exposure to urine and laundry products
