Manly Maxi's
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A few years ago, I made myself some cloth pads and liked using them much more than disposable maxi-pads. But at the time, we were living in a 40 foot camper trailer out in the woods with no running water, so I just couldn't care for them like I should've. (I actually I COULD have, but I was too lazy and they were a lot of work without having a washing machine and only having a very small amount of water at my disposal.)
Anyway, I've always wanted to go back to cloth pads, but have just never gotten around to making any more until now. I've only made 2 so far, but I think they turned out pretty nice.
I made the plaid one using Adahy's 11" Cloth Pad Pattern. From top to bottom, the layers are: flannel, microfiber towel, flannel, flannel, PUL waterproof fabric, and flannel. I know that sounds bulky, but it's surprisingly trim. I still need to add a snap or button to the wings.
I made the bowling print pad with a pattern from Diapersewing.com. It is a "pocket" pad. There is an opening on the back to slide the absorbant pad into (or washcloth, or microfiber towel, or whatever you want to stuff inside). I included a layer of PUL fabric on the backside of this pad as well. It is turned and topstitched because I tried serging it, and could not get it to look right around the inner curves. The stitching goes off the edge of the fabric and looks sloppy. My mom told me that I might want to try a thinner stitch width, so next time maybe I can make it work.
It's kind of funny that these feminine products turned out looking so masculine....like I made the pads for a lumberjack and a fat bald guy named stan. Hey, it's the only flannel I had :)
I SHOULD be working on the mini diaper bag that I am making for my baby-doll-obsessed 7-year-old niece. I'm going to fill it with bibs and baby hats, and sippy cups and other accessories for her dolls. I have less than a week to get that done before our trip North. I'd better get a move on it. Maybe I should focus on that project instead of shoving popcorn in my mouth while watching episode after episode of the first 3 seasons of Grey's Anatomy every night after Scout goes to bed.
Anyway, I've always wanted to go back to cloth pads, but have just never gotten around to making any more until now. I've only made 2 so far, but I think they turned out pretty nice.
I made the plaid one using Adahy's 11" Cloth Pad Pattern. From top to bottom, the layers are: flannel, microfiber towel, flannel, flannel, PUL waterproof fabric, and flannel. I know that sounds bulky, but it's surprisingly trim. I still need to add a snap or button to the wings.
I made the bowling print pad with a pattern from Diapersewing.com. It is a "pocket" pad. There is an opening on the back to slide the absorbant pad into (or washcloth, or microfiber towel, or whatever you want to stuff inside). I included a layer of PUL fabric on the backside of this pad as well. It is turned and topstitched because I tried serging it, and could not get it to look right around the inner curves. The stitching goes off the edge of the fabric and looks sloppy. My mom told me that I might want to try a thinner stitch width, so next time maybe I can make it work.
It's kind of funny that these feminine products turned out looking so masculine....like I made the pads for a lumberjack and a fat bald guy named stan. Hey, it's the only flannel I had :)
I SHOULD be working on the mini diaper bag that I am making for my baby-doll-obsessed 7-year-old niece. I'm going to fill it with bibs and baby hats, and sippy cups and other accessories for her dolls. I have less than a week to get that done before our trip North. I'd better get a move on it. Maybe I should focus on that project instead of shoving popcorn in my mouth while watching episode after episode of the first 3 seasons of Grey's Anatomy every night after Scout goes to bed.
Labels: cloth pads, sewing
posted by Unkempt Mommy at 3:55 PM
6 Comments:
Dude, I can get on board with the cloth diapering thing, but pads? I briefly considered it and then realized the thought of rinsing BLOOD out of something just grossed me out. Plus, you can't put THAT in with other laundry, can you?
Anyway, to each their own, but not for me.
What I plan on doing is having a bowl or bucket (with a lid)of cold water up on the dryer in the laundry room and just toss the used pads right into it without rinsing them or anything. If I make enough pads, I can just pour the whole bucket into the washer at the end of my period. Then, I'll spin that icky water out and wash them on hot with a teeny bit of detergent just like I do with dipes.
Yeah, I'm not too keen on the idea of rinsing icky period blood out of pads either, so I'm glad that from what I've read, the bucket method seems to work out for most people.
I've been using cloth pads for a year and it is really not gross. I swear. I got stuck once and had to use disposable for a couple of days - now THAT was gross! The smell almost killed me.
Anyway, I just rinse them with the diaper sprayer, same as a poopy diaper.
sadly.... i still use disposable ones. For some reason I just can't get used to tampons. I would go into detail as to why..but I don't want to sound even more retarded. lol
But next to the mini-diapers I wear..cloth would be better for sure. (I will admit though..at first your post grossed me out which is fine by me..lol but then thought more and realized how gross disposables actually are). lol
Pads for a lumberjack!!!! Bwaahhhahahahaahahah! I've been using cloth pads for a couple years now. Made most of my own. I use flannel and PUL too.
Hum, this actually sparks my interest.... I dig the bowling pins.
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