Homemade Feminine Pads

Well since I did a post on the family cloth I thought I should go ahead a do one on  homemade feminine pads. Once again some of you may think yuck and that there would be no way, but just think about it, and the money you would save. Not only the money you would save but you wouldn't have to worry about having to store big bulky packages of pads every where or worry about not having them when you need them, or running out. You also don't have to worry about the harsh chemicals that are in store bought pads.

They are very simple to make you can go here to get a pattern.

 

I  copied the pattern onto some cardboard. 

 

cut them out.

 

Place on your fabric then I use a sharpie to trace around the patten.

 

Cut them out.

 

This is what you should have one top and two bottom pieces.

 

This is an optional step. I had some fabric (not real sure what it is) that was covering the boat but ripped so we had to take it off I took the cover and washed it. It is water resistant so I used some on the bottom of the pads. So if you use a water resistant fabric cut two bottom halves.

 

 

Place the resistant fabric on the underside of the two bottom pieces and iron over a small fold on the edge.

 

stitch these down I used a zig zag stitch.

 

Then set the two bottoms on the top

 

pin in place.

 

Sew around the edges.

 

Then turn inside out.

 

Iron down and sew around the edges of the turned out pad.

 

For the inside take two squares of fabric sew together and turn inside out and run a few seams on the inside kind of like quilting it. (Sorry it is kind of hard to see in the picture)

 

Fold this in to thirds

And insert into the pad.

 

You can use Velcro or snaps on the wings.  This one I just stitched a piece of Velcro on the wings.

 

On this one I used snaps.

 

 

After it is all done it can fold up like this. They are very simple to make.

 

You can use them for pantie liners , just don't put in the insert.

 

There are a couple things you can do with them after you use them. Some people have a bucket of water that they put them in after they are used, or you can put them straight  into a bucket and cover with a cloth. To wash if you put them in the water just drain the water and throw in the washer, with the dry bucket when you get ready to wash add some water and rinse then throw in the washer. I haven't used the water method, I would think the water would get smelly so I have a small bucket that I cover with a small towel to put them in I pull out the insert this way it all gets air I haven't had a problem with the smell but I do keep them washed up at least every other day.

 

So do you think this is something you would do? I was  a little sceptical at first but I have to say I like them a lot better and they are more comfortable then the store bought pads.

 

 

The Family Cloth

 OK I know this will not be for everybody. But it is something to
think about especially when money is extra tight “The Family Cloth” it is kind of like reusable TP, actually I guess it is reusable TP. Now don’t run away yet, just hear me out. Just think, you would never run out, it is a lot softer then TP, it doesn’t rip or leave pieces behind,and your not filling the septic up with extra paper.

Now some people use them for pee and poo but I haven’t got that far yet ( maybe someday) it is just pee for now .I have a small bucket beside the toilet to put the dirty ones in then I throw them in with the whites ( I just dump the bucket in, that way I don't have to touch them.)when I wash that way they get washed with hot water and bleach. They don’t take up a lot of extra room in the washer so I am not really paying extra for water and soap. I have to admit I really do like using them I am having a hard time getting the girls on this band wagon lol ( They think I am crazy when I come up with these things) but most of the time they come around.

These are so cheap and easy to make . I just go to the second hand store and buy a bag of rags which is mostly T-Shirts bring them home and wash in hot water with bleach. After they are dry I cut them out. You could also use an old flannel sheet.

I use my rotary cutter which is so handy for this.

Just lay out your t-shirt

I have a 8x8 square that I use for a pattern just cut around that. Do this to all the shirt and you will have a nice little stack when done. I do not sew around the edges like some I have seen. Being t-shirt material it won’t fray so I see no point in sewing the edge.

 

So even if you don’t want to do this it might be a good idea to have some on hand if you run out of TP or if money gets extra tight.

So what do you think? Is it something you would consider doing?

Have to mend the new jacket.

 

 

I hate when I buy something get it home and it rips or as in this case the string pulls out. Couldn’t return it , it is Joleens new cheer jacket and they were ordered so I just fixed it.

This is the string that pulled out.

 

 

This is the other side how it is

suppose to look.



I pulled out the stiching on the end.

 

Then found a safety pin in my box of pins that I got at an auction for one dollar (I love good finds like that).



Put the pen on the end of the string.

 



It's kind of hard to see but I put the pen with the string into the hole.

 



 

 

Then I pushed the pen and string to the end where I had ripped out the seam.

 

Took the pen off and put the string right on the edge and sewed the seam shut.

 

Just need to trim the thread off.

 

 

I would say good as new but in this case it is better then new.

 

I am so thankful that I can do these repairs.

It would be nice though if they would make things a little better then they do so you don't have to mend it as soon as you buy it.