How To Make A Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pad

Reusable menstrual products have risen in popularity in the last few years, and we have been making them for a long time. They are sustainable, eco-friendly, comfortable and you save money in the long run.

In this blog we are back with with another eco-friendly, sustainable swap. Below we are going to lay out the steps for you to follow and make your own pads.

There are a range of fabrics that are suitable to create a perfectly absorbent and snug cloth pad.

For the core fabric, you can use: Zorb Original, Zorb 3D Dimples, Zorb 3D Diamond, Zorb 4D Core PUL, Bamboo Terry Towelling and/or Bamboo Fleece.

For the top fabric, you can use: Cotton Poplin, Digital Cotton and/or Cotton Jersey.

For the backing fabric, you can use: Polar Fleece, ProSoft® Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Waterproof 1 mil PUL, ProSoft® V2 Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Jersey Lite Waterproof PUL, Soft Shell Fleece and/or PUL.

To see what fabric we used and the steps we took, keep reading!

What you'll need:

• 8-inch Pad Pattern (pad & core)

• Core Fabric (we used Zorb 3D Dimples in Rose Smoke)

• Top Fabric (we used Pale Pink Flowers Cotton Jersey White)

• Backing Fabric (we used Polar Fleece in Hot Pink)

• Thread

• Pins

• Fabric marker

• Rotary blade and/or scissors

• Kam snaps

• Kam snap tool or pliers

• Sewing machine

Step 1: Get your templates

Print out the pad & core pattern and cut out

Step 2: Cut out your core

Draw around your core template on your chosen core material and cut out

Step 3: Draw around your pad template on the top fabric

Place your pad template on your top fabric and draw around

Step 4: Cut around the top fabric leaving a turning edge

See picture below

Step 5: Pin the core fabric to the top fabric

Ensure your core fabric is central

Step 6: Sew around the core fabric

Be careful the fabric does not slip or snag

Step 7: Place the top fabric with core attached onto the backing material

Right sides facing, and pin

Step 8: Sew around the edge of the pad

Leave a turning hole

Step 9: Cut around the pad

Leaving a 1cm edge

Step 10: Turn right side out

Using the turning hole. We recommend using a tool to poke out the edges

Step 11: Iron

A flatter pad allows for easier top sewing

Step 12: Top sew

Around the edge of the pad

Step 13: Insert kam snaps on the wings

Using a kam snap tool, such as pliers

Step 14: Wash before use

This will activate the absorbency

Variation!

We also made a variation using Zorb 3D Dimples in Blue Lagoon (core), Constellation Navy Cotton Fabric (top) and ProSoft® Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Waterproof 1 mil PUL (backing).

A few things to remember:

• The cotton / jersey is the top of the pad

• Rinse in warm water, until it runs clear, after use before you put it in the washing machine

• Do not use fabric softener

• Do not tumble dry

We reccomend you make a few different pads and try out some different fabric combinations – you may prefer sewing / using some fabrics compared to others.

We hope you love this eco-friendly, sustainable swap as much as we do. Let us know in the comments if you have tried reusable cloth pads before!