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DIY pads, for you or others!

In Lunapads mythology, Once Upon A Time there was a fair young maiden (yours truly!) who aspired to make the loveliest washable menstrual pads in the land.  She toiled endlessly at her sewing machines day after day, week after week, and (natch) month after month, until she created something she was satisfied with.  She asked her mirror, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, which are the fairest pads of all?”, to which the mirror replied “All pads that are made with love and respect for women’s bodies are truly fair and lovely.”  Love that mirror!  I passed along the task of sewing Lunapads to our noble production partners many years ago, but I continued to sew all manner of clothes and household linens right up until my daughter was born just over 4 years ago.

Since that time, I must confess that gardening has captured my creative heart (easier to do with a 4 year old, as well!), and so I was a bit nervous to pull out my rulers, scissors and 20 year old domestic single-needle machine to make this video – did I still have the magic?  That verdict will have to be in the eyes of the beholder of the video, but for my part it was really fun in a “blast from the past” kind of way.

Part 1:

Part 2:

The videos and pattern download were created in response to two needs: first, as a possible option for those who can’t afford Lunapads, or to support those who prefer to make things themselves, just because. Second is to offer it as an instructional tool for women in Africa to make pads for themselves and/or as commercial products, as well as for crafters in this neck of the woods who want to make pads to contribute as donations to Pads4Girls (more on that in the next post – stay tuned!)

A note on the video: it is not about how to make Lunapads, which requires a far more complex sewing process (not to mention 3 different fabrics and 2 different sewing machines – eek!)  Rather, it is an easy, adjustable pattern that can be made with a single-needle domestic machine and a wide variety of fabrics.  You can download the pattern here.  I encourage you to experiment with different fabrics and closures, and have fun!

pixel DIY pads, for you or others!

Share and Enjoy

  • http://fullwomb.blogspot.com/ Kate

    This is such a great craft! Thanks so much for sharing and for the thoughtful video tutorial!

  • http://AdarBirthServices.com Aimée

    Hey Madeline,

    What a great gift to give to women! Thank you so much for sharing this.

    I have my own, “Complete Idiot’s Guide” to making menstrual pads. It goes like this:
    1/ Head down to VV (Value Village)
    2/ Go to the bedding section and find their selection of receiving blankets.
    3/ Pick out three or four flannelet ones that you like.
    4/ Take ‘em home and wash them, then cut them up into squares that can be folded in three to make a long rectangle that will fit in your underwear.
    5/ Use ‘em!

    “But Aimée! Won’t they fall out?”
    I’ve been using these pads for over ten years and haven’t yet had one fall out. On rare occasion I find they bunch a bit. But I run and cycle with them and they are perfectly well-behaved.

    I still use Lunapads too, cause sometimes they are really the only thing that will fit the bill (like overnight if I’m having a heavy period), and just cause they are way nicer-looking than my homemade ones.

  • http://greenspell.wordpress.com/ Yoga Witch

    Dear Madeleine and Suzanne,

    I want to applaud you for the work you do to promote eco-friendly periods – and happy periods, for that matter! I recently purchased many, many pads from you, and a Diva Cup, and I LOVE your products more than I can say. I also added these videos to my blog just yesterday, to help spread the word.

    Thank you!!

  • Anna

    Thank you so much for this! I could not afford postpartum pads and was dreading using disposables after using a diva cup and lunapad pantiners for about 1.5 years. Now I don’t have to. Thanks!!!

  • Anna

    Oops, I meant pantiliners not pantiners.
    Quick question: the insert, is that one or two layers that you’re sewing together?

  • http://www.lunapads.com Madeleine

    Anna,
    I’m so happy that you found the videos useful! Your comment makes me think that I should do a new one specifically about pantyliners – the last ones were so much fun I might go for it!
    To answer your question, for the insert I used 2 layers of fleece, which made it quite thick, in order to be able to be suitable for average to heavy flow without soaking through too quickly. You could definitely use just 1 layer of the fleece that I used but it has a funny way of rolling after it’s been washed, making it hard to fold. You could copy the pattern of a Lunapads Maxi Liner if you have one (next patterns!), which would make it thinner since you’re not folding it. If you wanted something thinner I would also consider a single layer of cotton terry (as in towel – an old towel would work perfectly!)
    Let me know how it goes, and thanks so much for the feedback – these turned out better than I had hoped.
    Madeleine

  • Anna

    Thanks for replying!

    I don’t mind it thick since I’ll be using them for postpartum after all. I figure it should be pretty easy to add a bit of length to the pattern so it’s the same length as the lunapads postpartum pads. I have some old towels lying around just waiting to be used for something like this.

    I wonder if microfibre cleaning cloths would work for inserts. I have a bunch of those lying around as well. Maybe even a layer of microfibre behind a layer of terry. I’ll experiment :)

    Anna

  • http://www.lunapads.com Madeleine

    Dear Yoga Witch,
    Thank you so much for reposting the videos. Your blog is awesome – I love it! Thanks again for your support, and for spreading the good period news.

  • http://quiggs-girl.livejournal.com/ Anna

    I finished one and blogged about it here: http://quiggs-girl.livejournal.com/

    It’s really easy!

    Anna

  • LaPriel Stein

    Could I use PUL for the fabric on the back? Is the nylon in your liners waterproof like in sports wear or is it just a tight, thin nylon?

    Thanks

  • LaPriel Stein

    I made 8 pad covers out of a yard of fabric yesterday. It was fun and simple. They turned out great. I even had dark lavender gripper snaps to match the fabric. I purchased some lavender terry cloth today to make the inserts out of. Neither Jo-Anns or Hancocks has cotton fleece.

  • http://www.agreenfire.wordpress.com Katie

    Thank you for these great videos. I just recently got a sewing machine and on my goal list of sewing projects is sewing my own pads. I would love to see a video for pantyliners too. I have the DivaCup and I think pantyliners would be more useful to me.

    Thanks for the great website, and for all the great products.

  • http://www.lunapads.com Madeleine

    Anna: Way to go! Your pads look great, and all the best for the birth.

    LaPriel: Way to go to you too! The PUL/nylon issue is trickier with this pattern, as the underneath part of the pad is 2 overlapping pieces. Your other alternative would be to add it to the insert, in which case I would reduce the width of the insert pattern by 2/3, so you’re not rolling the nylon in with the rest of it. Hope that makes sense.

    With respect to the nylon/PUL question, we do not use PUL as we don’t want something that is completely waterproof. The idea is to buy you a bit of extra time before you have to change the liner, without sacrificing breathability, a tricky balance. Using the nylon also helps with overall durabiltiy and longevity, but I still wish that there was a natural fiber that had these properties.

    Keep the comments coming, and happy sewing!

  • LaPriel

    Does woven cotton for the cover work as well as flannel? What about cotton knits for the cover?

  • http://www.lunapads.com Madeleine

    Hi LaPriel! I would choose anything that you would like to have next to your skin, provided that it won’t be too thick (i.e. fleece would be soft enough, but too thick). A knit fabric like jersey would probably work, but would not necessarily hold the pad shape as well as a woven fabric like flannel.
    Also remember that you don’t need to use the same fabric for the top and bottom of the cover/envelope – you could for example use microfleece for the top and a woven fabric for the bottom pieces. Can’t wait to hear what you come up with!

  • LaPriel Stein

    Okay, so I finished my lavender pads and sent them off to Project thrive. That was fun!

    I just completed another set that are very similar to the Lunapads design. That was very time consuming and I am not that great at running the serger around the curves! I added PUL to the backs.

    I have gone back to the pattern on the video. I like the finished look it has and it is simpler to sew. I am using PUL for the back. I found that if I sewed the PUL with the shiny side against the feed dogs, it doesn’t pull the fabric all out of shape. I also think it lays better if I clip the curves before I turn it right side out. (it doesn’t make that much difference when using flannel for the top and bottom) Instead of having the back pieces the same size and overlap in the middle, I made one side larger and the other side smaller. This makes it overlap off to one side. It seems to stay closed better. I am going to try one that has the top and bottom corners rounded.

    Thanks, I am enjoying making the pads!

  • Karen

    This is a great pattern, thanks! I would love to see a pantyliner pattern. I use Diva Cup, pads, and pantyliners depending on how I feel that day.

  • LaPriel

    Karen,

    You could just use the same pattern. Shorten it to the length you want. You can round the top and bottom corners if you like. You can make the pads narrower by cutting 1/4″ – 1/2″ out of the middle of the pattern. Cut a top and bottom of fabric. Fold your wings in on the pattern and cut 2 more layers of fabric. Trim these 2 layers about 1/4″ – maybe a tiny bit more. Center the 2 layers on the wrong side of the top piece of fabric. Stitch around them 1/8″ from the edge. Stitch another row 1/4″ from the edge. Place the top and bottom pieces right sides together. Stitch together using a 1/4″ seam. Be sure to leave about a 1 1/4″ opening to turn the fabric right side out. Turn right side out, press, and top stitch 1/8″ or 1/4″ from edge. Be sure to turn the seam allowance in on your opening so it gets caught in the top stitching. Add snap tape, buttons, or gripper snaps.

    A note on gripper snaps. I don’t know about others, but I have never had much succes with the plier things used to put snaps on with. I find that the metal tool you can buy in a snap kit works best. Just use a good hammer and a solid surface that you don’t mind if it gets dents. It usually takes me about 2-4 hits. I always try the snaps out a few times after I apply them to be sure they are secure. If you mess up, you can get them off by gently smashing them with plyers around the sides.

    Use your imagination and they will turn out nice. :)

  • LaPriel

    Karen,

    Oh, when saying fabric, I am thinking of flannel. If you use cotton fleece, one layer inside should do.

  • Karen

    LaPriel,
    You know what? I am going to try that. I have no trouble following a pattern but thinking one up is not my cup of tea LOL!
    Thank you so much!!!!

  • LaPriel Stein

    Karen,

    Let us know how it works. Send pics. :)

    LaPriel

  • lacy

    This just blows me away- the fact that you are completely cool with showing others how to make their own pads if they cannot afford yours! How fantastic is Lunapads? Just by posting these videos the gesture is crystal clear. You and your company care more about the health and well-being of women than about becoming (ahem) rich from Lunapad production. I commend you for this! What an incredible concept: A business that cares about the consumer! It’s so refreshing and encouraging to see. Love you gals and your products!

  • Catherine

    I made some of these recently and am waiting to try them out, they were super easy to make once I actually figured out how to use the sewing machine and I’ve made some for my friend to try out as well.

    So thanks for posting this.

  • http://www.sida-aidsmoncton.com Debby Warren

    Madeline

    I just wanted to let you know that your video and pattern for pads have been well received by women in the community of Nkamanzi, Swaziland. A couple of years ago, Lunapads donated product for the girls in the community. This year when I re-visited the community I brought along the instructions/patterns/material and purchased a sewing machine so some local women could start sewing their own reusable pads.

    Just a couple of weeks ago, I contacted one woman to see how things were going. She was so very happy with the response she has received from women wanting to purchase the pads. So besides providing access to clean pads this one woman has found a way to earn income to help support her family – a win-win situation all around.

    Thank You Lunapads for sharing the caring.

    Debby Warren
    Executive Director
    AIDS Moncton

  • http://www.lunapads.com Madeleine

    Debby,
    This is such great news, thank you for sharing it! We would love to receive further information about the women’s progress, and see if there are other ways we can help.
    Blessings!
    Madeleine

  • Sandra

    Mahalo for the tutorial video.

  • http://www.sweethours.wordpress.com Holly

    Thank you, thank you. What a fantastic tutorial.

  • Kellie

    this is a wonderful way for me to cut down on mentrual pad waste while i save up money to buy lunapads. i’ve been looking for D.I.Y. pad tutorials forever! this helped so much! thanks! :D

  • http://www.organicbodybutter.info Organic Body Butter

    Thank you for these great videos. I just recently got a sewing machine and on my goal list of sewing projects is sewing my own pads. I would love to see a video for pantyliners too. I have the DivaCup and I think pantyliners would be more useful to me.