Sewing Cloth Pads

Hi all! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but with colleagues away on both annual and sick leave I've been working a few extra hours, as well as keeping up with my other commitments. I also thought I'd combine weeks 7, 8, and 9 of the 52 Week Sewing Challenge into one post as I was working on making myself a collection of cloth pads during all three weeks.

Week 7's challenge was to upcycle something, week 8 to sew something with knit fabric and week 9 was to sew something green of environmentally friendly and my pads just happened to meet all three weeks' requirements! Part of the absorbent core of my pads was made up of a recycled flannelette sheet (week 7). I also used zorb for extra absorbency in the core. I picked a fun whale patterned cotton lycra for the outer layers (week 8). And of course reusable over disposable is always a win (week 9). There is also a hidden layer of PUL just inside the backing fabric for water-proofing.

So why cloth pads? Not only are they obviously better for the environment than filling our landfill with disposables, but they are much better for us also. They can be thrown in the washing machine, no problem, no super complicated care routine or anything involved. You can choose which fabrics you make them out of, you can even use recycled fabrics, further reducing landfill. Not to mention they are a whole lot more comfortable than disposables! And last, but not least, they are just super fun and cute!

For my pattern I used the free Moonrise tester pattern from Versodile which can be found in the files section of their Facebook group. I incresed the folded width of this pattern from 2.2 inches to 2.5 inches and modified the length for different styles of pads. For a quicker and easier option you can buy Versodile's complete pattern in either 2.2 inch or 2.5 inch folded width, with many different length options included from their Etsy store. They also have many other pad patterns available, in so many different fun shapes!

I've got a good little stash going now, need to get a few more made up though before it's complete. In particular I need to make some more longer night-time ones (I currently only have 1!) and some thinner, less absorbent liners also, of which I haven't made any yet.

Of course some sort of fastening needs to be added to the wings also. This could be velcro, a button and button hole, or snaps/press studs, whatever you prefer. I personally like snaps, though any of these options would work.

Well, I've got just under an hour left before I need to go get ready for kid's ministry at my church tonight so I'd better get back to the sewing machine! I'm working on getting my bugs and flowers quilted at the moment.

Happy quilting everyone!