After you get excited about sewing your own cloth pads, where do you find the material? :) a very big smile on my face if you are trying out cloth pads.. :) With cloth pads, the few special days of the month will hopefully become more fun, less pain and a lot more comfortable..
So, where do you find the material to make your own cloth pads?
Actually any cotton material at home, T-Shirt, Towel all good material to use. How do you know what you have is cotton? Use this test.
If you need the water proof security, then old umbrella, nylon sport pants, etc..
Look around your house and see what you could find.. :) Lots of ideas of reusing what is available at home:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=18462.0
However, if you prefer buying new material, then here is the list:
1) Flannel - you can made the entire pad from Flannel.
This is available from Kamdar & Nagoya. If you are like me, don't know what is flannel, here are some samples: flannel-plain, flannel-printed.
In Nagoya and Kamdar, it is about RM4 to RM5 per meter. The quality maybe different from those available online. I have only tried flannel from Nagoya and a small fabric shop near my place.
To add absorbency, I add Terry (just towel.. :))
2) Other suitable fabrics
(i) Cotton - Many cloth pad makers use this as top layer. The red & blue pads in the above picture has cotton top.
(ii) Sweet Pretty Stuff - http://sweetprettystuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Fabric - Bamboo fleece & Velour
(iii) http://www.bamboolite.com/organic-bamboo-fleece.htm - Bamboo fleece
(iv)TinyTapir carry many types of bamboo fabrics, if you can afford them, they are very good material for cloth pads.
(v) Nisa Abas - http://madewithpassion.dsaiko.com/?p=962 - carry bamboo fleece, mocrofleece & hemp fleece
(vi) Lampinkain - http://lampinkain.com/shop/diy-notions-supplies-c-14 - carry Seudocloth, good for the top layer close to skin.
2) Water proofing layer (not a must) - PUL (not the only way)
Here are local places to buy PUL:
(i) http://sweetprettystuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Fabric
(ii) Hartini
(iii) http://www.niceclothdiaper.com/diaper-fabric/diaper-fabric.php
(iv) http://lampinkain.com/shop/diy-notions-supplies-c-14 1 cut size of 18“x 20” - RM18
(v) http://madewithpassion.dsaiko.com/?p=962 - 1 meter RM68, it said Sandwich PUL
(vi) http://mum7kids.blogspot.fi/search/label/PUL%20FABRIC
There are plenty of overseas online suppliers, here is one recommended by quite a few cloth pad makers in ETSY : http://www.wazoodle.com
- 1 yard USD8.8, shipping USD10.7 (with surface mail, 1 yard is about RM65), however it will take about 30-45 days.
- they now have sale.... USD4.99 per yard
But is water proofing a must? I suggest you try out without it and use the pad at home to see whether it leaks and make necessary adjustment.
Other water proofing material:
1) Many cloth pad makers use fleece as resistant layer.
2) White rubbery sheet which is used as external layer for transitional cloth nappy. This could be found at nappy section in the supermarket. However, it is a bit hard to sew as it is very delicate material. Suggest zigzag stitch to prevent creases. (Info provided by Lynn)
3) Fastenings
Please see my other diy-cloth-pad-part-2.
Anything I miss? Can't think of anything now..
If you need instructions, please see diy-cloth-pad-part-3.
Happy sewing...
So, where do you find the material to make your own cloth pads?
Actually any cotton material at home, T-Shirt, Towel all good material to use. How do you know what you have is cotton? Use this test.
If you need the water proof security, then old umbrella, nylon sport pants, etc..
Look around your house and see what you could find.. :) Lots of ideas of reusing what is available at home:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=18462.0
However, if you prefer buying new material, then here is the list:
1) Flannel - you can made the entire pad from Flannel.
This is available from Kamdar & Nagoya. If you are like me, don't know what is flannel, here are some samples: flannel-plain, flannel-printed.
In Nagoya and Kamdar, it is about RM4 to RM5 per meter. The quality maybe different from those available online. I have only tried flannel from Nagoya and a small fabric shop near my place.
To add absorbency, I add Terry (just towel.. :))
2) Other suitable fabrics
(i) Cotton - Many cloth pad makers use this as top layer. The red & blue pads in the above picture has cotton top.
(ii) Sweet Pretty Stuff - http://sweetprettystuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Fabric - Bamboo fleece & Velour
(iii) http://www.bamboolite.com/organic-bamboo-fleece.htm - Bamboo fleece
(iv)TinyTapir carry many types of bamboo fabrics, if you can afford them, they are very good material for cloth pads.
(v) Nisa Abas - http://madewithpassion.dsaiko.com/?p=962 - carry bamboo fleece, mocrofleece & hemp fleece
(vi) Lampinkain - http://lampinkain.com/shop/diy-notions-supplies-c-14 - carry Seudocloth, good for the top layer close to skin.
2) Water proofing layer (not a must) - PUL (not the only way)
Here are local places to buy PUL:
(i) http://sweetprettystuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Fabric
(ii) Hartini
(iii) http://www.niceclothdiaper.com/diaper-fabric/diaper-fabric.php
(iv) http://lampinkain.com/shop/diy-notions-supplies-c-14 1 cut size of 18“x 20” - RM18
(v) http://madewithpassion.dsaiko.com/?p=962 - 1 meter RM68, it said Sandwich PUL
(vi) http://mum7kids.blogspot.fi/search/label/PUL%20FABRIC
There are plenty of overseas online suppliers, here is one recommended by quite a few cloth pad makers in ETSY : http://www.wazoodle.com
- 1 yard USD8.8, shipping USD10.7 (with surface mail, 1 yard is about RM65), however it will take about 30-45 days.
- they now have sale.... USD4.99 per yard
But is water proofing a must? I suggest you try out without it and use the pad at home to see whether it leaks and make necessary adjustment.
Other water proofing material:
1) Many cloth pad makers use fleece as resistant layer.
2) White rubbery sheet which is used as external layer for transitional cloth nappy. This could be found at nappy section in the supermarket. However, it is a bit hard to sew as it is very delicate material. Suggest zigzag stitch to prevent creases. (Info provided by Lynn)
3) Fastenings
Please see my other diy-cloth-pad-part-2.
Anything I miss? Can't think of anything now..
If you need instructions, please see diy-cloth-pad-part-3.
Happy sewing...
19 comments:
hi anic (again :p ),
- i used old t-shirt and old cotton kaftan (baju kelawar) too..they work great! as much as i like all my CPs to be made from cute flannels, it can be over the budget. kata nak save money..hehe! recycle t-shirt la best :) yup, towel as well.
- i bought PULs and suedecloths from lampinkain and the next yet to arrive are from niceclothdiaper (cheap - ada sale).
- i also used white rubbery fabric yg diikat di luar tradisional lampin putih dulu tu (i didn't know the real name) as waterproof layer. banyak jual di bahagian lampin putih baby kat supermarket. but, susah sikit nak jahit. very delicate material. guna zigzag stitch to prevent kedut.
waterproof layer isn't that necessary. i know, because i have been using the non-waterproof one the most. learn about our own flow, and find the perfect combination of pads. it will take some times, but definitely worth a try :)
p/s: sorry, panjang pulak..hehe!
http://lynnhomemades.blogspot.com/
hi Lynn,
Very good input! Thanks for sharing... the sharing of you practical experience will help many. I will look out for the rubbery fabric at supermarket. I went looking the other time and didn't find suitable material, maybe I missed it.
and the PUL sale at niceclothdiaper! very attractive price.. :) thank you!
Have you used sandwich PUL before? What I have is single layer PUL.
Hi Lynn,
>> i used old t-shirt and old cotton kaftan (baju kelawar) too..they work great! as much as i like all my CPs to be made from cute flannels, it can be over the budget. kata nak save money..hehe! recycle t-shirt la best :) yup, towel as well.
Fully agree with recycling material at home...
It is saving money and also helping the environment..
Salam,
Thanks for the infos & for sharing your experiences in making a CP.
Rozi suggested to me about making my own CP months ago but have not come around to that yet. Not that i dont want to, but at the moment i don't have a reason to use one heheheh. Reason being..my menses have yet to make its appearance since the birth of my son Akif about 10 months ago.
The good side to that is I can take my own sweet time sewing one. Cuma tak boleh test je lah.
InsyaAllah will give it a try..
Salam,
:) very happy to see another lady trying out cloth pads... for the better of health and environmnet... bagus also for our pocket. :)
Hi Lynn,
>> ..as much as i like all my CPs to be made from cute flannels..
the usual printed cotton could be used as top as well, in case you haven't thought about this. Though I read that it is not suitable for thick flow...
anic,
the usual printed cotton didn't absorb as fast as the flannels. i did the test, and it feels kinda 'hot and sweaty'. i've thought about making it as the backing of the pad, will test it in the near future. so far, my cstomers agreed that flannels are very soft next to skin and pretty absorbent.
most of my pads are all-in-one, wingless, non-waterproof. its the simplest combo to put on and to care. i did tried the separate one (pocket with inserts, or the soaker yg kena slip under the strings tu). it takes time to assemble, and as much as the "we can adjust the soaker thickness" factor, i find it time consuming. to sew and to put on. better i sew the AIO with various thickness, and just stack 2 pieces on heavy day.
p/s: i love cloth pad! and cloth diaper too :D
additional:
i too used fleece as the second last layer. but mine is not the cloth pad quality fleece, but i used blanket fleece. someday later i will try using the CP quality one :)
additional ii:
sandwich PUL will arrive from niceclothdiaper. i'll let u know later :)
Hi Lynn,
Would it be possible that the different types of cotton have different effects? I have a few, and I find them ok, but my office air con is so cold.. maybe that is why i didn't feel hot. Some of the ETSY pad makers described theirs as Quilter's Cotton, I don't actually know what it means.
I felt the flannel I got is not going to last.. the warp & weft look loose.. so I thought, maybe the printed cotton may last longer.
AIO is certainly the easiest to use.. I like it too. Just that when it is rainy season... difficult to dry..
I have a meter of fleece I got from US (through a friend). I can send you some for you to try out.
I would love to know how the sandwich PUL work out for you..
Looking forward to hear from you on this...
wahhh what along discussion here ladies...
actually I wanted to ask.. what is AIO stands for eks?
Menyampuk kat sini... AIO stands for All in One :) cloth diapers for babies pun ada AIO.
yeah.. it took me a while to figure it out. :)
kak mila: ada all-in-two gak :p
anic : the sandwiched PUL dah sampai semalam. its a thick kinda PUL, both sides are fabric, the 'plastic' side is in between. nanti i try make a pad with it, just waiting the fleece to arrive. hehe!
Anic... this is good info. I almost use my old umbrella and thought of getting those cheap raincoat from daiso to use for the waterproofing layer. In the end I just do without.
So far no problem because my heavy flow is only on first 2 days... so i just change my pad more regularly.
Thanks for sharing Anic :)
Hi "The Eccentric Butterfly",
I am very happy to see another cloth pad users.
Not all need the waterproof layer.. but it is convenient to have. :)
I found the microfleece is already very good in preventing leaking. PUL is not necessary.
Just to add to your list I found bamboo fabric here http://www.bamboolite.com/organic-bamboo-fleece.htm
cheaper than tinytapir but not as cheap as sweetprettystuff
Thanks Mila... will add to the post. :)
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