Embarking on an adventure...

[brigittefires]

So I finally got a sewing machine that seems to work. And now I want to make my own pads

Comments

[oceansolitude]

There are some good patterns in the memories and at www.ecomenses.com. There are some foldable patterns that include wings, and you could always tweak the pattern to have the wings off-center.

I made my patterns out of cereal boxes, stiff enough for repeated tracing, but thin enough to cut easily. Make one or two pads, try them out and then tweak the pattern if necessary. You don't want to make a bunch that don't work for you.

Goodluck!

[fireaphid]

Sounds like you might like pads that are kinda a large square of fabric with wings on the back and roughly in the middle, so that you can fold it in thirds and then change how it's folded when you want a fresh surface. I'm not so good at explaining it, but there's a picture at the bottom of this page: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/PADS.html... )

[steph_and_hop]

Yah for cloth pads. Here's a website showing an example of three different ways to put inserts in. http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/makeyourown_web.pdf

You could also put an insert just under the pad and not have any attaching things (Like you put the insert on your underwear and the base goes on top). Or put a snap on the base that attached to the insert or a a piece of velcro on the insert and another on the base.

Good luck and have fun! Show us a picture when you finish :) I think towel material would be a good absorbent layer. Like 2 or 3 layers of it if that's not too thick. Or multiple layers (6 or 8) of cotton t-shirt.

[chattymom]

You could tweak the shape - rather than doing a circle - but use rickrack or sew straps similar to this site http://shewhorunsintheforest.googlepages.com/0011

or do a pocket at the top & bottom to hold the folded fabric in place

[chattymom]

here is one that has the pocket type holder at the end for the trifold portion of the pad http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/makeyourown_web.pdf

[original_cliche]

Since your flow is pretty variable, have you considered doing a hybrid of the AIO and pocket pads?

this is a really good tutorial that explains what I mean:
http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organiccotton/clothpads.html

So pretty much you would sew in the minimum amount of absorbency that you would need for your lighter cycles and then include a pocket in the back to stuff extra absorbency for those cycles where you just gush.

I am pregnant right now and am completely redoing my stash and this is pretty much how I've decided to do mine. Though I do think I will be adding PUL to the backing for leak-proofness.

[original_cliche]

oh, I forgot to add that I also am going to add channels to the top to help direct the flow into the center of the pad.