DIY Cloth Pad 12

I sewed more cloth pads.  I have a collection of Flannel prints and it is time to turn them into some good use...

They are panty liners good for spotting and light flow.   They are topped with flannel and bamboo fleece as absorbent layer.    I used 2 layers of bamboo fleece but 1 is smaller so that the pad is thinner.
I still have a few to sew...    Haven't figured out what to do with them yet..  I already have enough cloth pads...


For those who would like to sew your own cloth pads, check out this link:
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/patterns 

and where to get the material locally:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.sg/2010/07/diy-cloth-pad-6-where-do-you-get.html 

and all my post about this subject:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/search/label/Reusable%20Menstrual%20Products


Enjoy the remaining Sunday...
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad - 11

So long..  I haven't sewn Cloth Pad..

Finally, I got around to sew these 2 cloth pads for a friend to clear my long outstanding cloth pad debt.

These panty liners are topped with flannel and with bamboo fleece as absorbent layer.   My friend wanted them as  menstrual cup backups.

For those who would like to sew your own cloth pads, check out this link:
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/patterns


and where to get the material locally:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.sg/2010/07/diy-cloth-pad-6-where-do-you-get.html

and all my post about this subject:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/search/label/Reusable%20Menstrual%20Products


Have a nice weekend...
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad - Part 10 (Turn and top Stitch)

I sewed these 2 cloth pads for friends.  

Bought this Flannel print in Kamdar Sunway.   The material is slightly thicker than what I had bought locally before.

I normally turned & top stitched my cloth pads because I did not have a good serger at home.  My side seam is usually quite small and making it hard to close the opening left for the turn.   I found a technique to make it easier...  have a bigger seam for the opening.. see the left side of the wing.   I tried and it really helps!  

Recently, I bought a serger, Brother 3034D.   This cloth pad, I tried to serge the sides, rather than turn and top stitch.   I need  to practise more, not very nice finishing.    I have to hide the cutting knife to avoid the curves being cut...

Bye now..

Anic

Cloth Pad Exchange - 1

Mila  and I decided to exchange cloth pads sewn by ourselves...  :)

She sent me this very nice cloth pad she sewn.   Thank you Mila...   I like it very much.

Did you see the curvy stitches in 8 shape in the centre?   Nice idea, right?

And...   she also sent me a small wet bag she sewn from her PUL scrap.   She is very creative!

I have been thinking making lots of small wetbag for only 1 cloth pad.   Make it easy when at work.   Could take a pad discretely to the wash room.  Find it  inconvenient having to fish out a pad from a big bag..

Now, I am inspired by this and will start making a few  bags from PUL scrap...

Enjoy your weekend,
Anic

Cloth Pad Story 4 - Huru Kits in Kenya

I stumbled upon this website today,  The Huru International.


What do they do?   They provide Huru Kits free to girls leaving in poverty in Kenya.     It was founded in 2008 and by 2nd May 2011, Huru had distributed 15,299 Huru Kits to girls.

The Huru Kit is packaged in a drawstring bag that doubles as a backpack, and includes:
        -Eight reusable sanitary napkins
        -Three pairs of underwear
        -Soap to wash the sanitary napkins
        -Waterproof bag to safely store used sanitary napkins
        -Educational insert featuring information on proper sanitary napkin usage, and HIV/AIDS prevention
        -Various other items [as suitable]

Through this they help:
        - Keep girls in school
        - Educate girls on HIV/AIDS prevention
        - Encourage local, sustainable job development
-- Read more on their facebook:

This is recent news about them distributing 374 Huru Kits in Nairobi to displaced Kenyan girls:
   http://www.huruinternational.org/girls-living-in-internally-displaced-persons-camp-receive-huru-kits/

An excerpt from the post with a very touching poem:

 “AM ON THE BALANCE BEAM – ME AS A GIRL” 

Am on the balance beam, which side do I fall? I wish to be a person of integrity but sometimes my integrity is compromised. I wish to be a person of respect but sometimes my respect is stolen by circumstances. Please save this girl, to be able to know the good side of the balance beam. Every month I have to submit to nature and experience my monthly periods, sometimes I wish one was given choice, I would never choose to be a girl, because when I menstruate I have to be absent from school, I have to use unhygienic materials and even fall on the hands of hungry monsters, who ask for sex in exchange of pads.

I really love my life, but circumstances can’t allow me to prove this. My mother says she has no budget for pads and says I should know how to organize myself since I am mature. Please help me with the kind of organization my mother talks of or you should help me organize myself as nature takes its course.

Before I quit the stage, I have a request to make, please help me to know the side of the balance beam I should be on. Life is so harsh, please come to my rescue, it’s very dark, please shed some light and save me from dishonest sympathizers ready to tear my life. Allow me to be in school throughout to achieve good marks.  Let’s all join hands and keep girls in school.

How can we help?  Donate a Kit..  or buy pads from http://amysragbag.com/, she donates 10% sales from her non-discounted items to Huru International.

The Huru kit is US25.  It can change a girl's life forever..

Here is another way of helping..   Donating pads to 150 ladies in Uganda by 1 June 2011, USD5 per pad,  organised by another organisation:

http://www.gladrags.com/c-54-donate-pads.aspx

Cloth Pad Giveaway - Earth Day 22nd April 2011 (Preparing the prize)

I have been working on the prizes for the Cloth Pads Earth Day Give Away...  I almost have the pads ready for all the winners and had even posted 1.   Plan to post the rest today...

The original prize

More liners for ladies who commented in the post and haven't tried cloth pad.

The below is additional for the winner, Ms M..  An insert type pad so that she can make her own soakers from T-Shirts/Towels/Handkerchief etc.   I hope this will make her switch to cloth pad a lot easier...

I have chosen microfleece as the top of the base as I found that the blood from the soaker doesn't stain it.  So, the base stays clean even though the soaker could be very wet...

The envelope with the cloth pads to Ms M in the Philippines is 85 gram.  I checked out the postage rate on Pos Malaysia website and the postage isn't too bad..  :) :
http://www.pos.com.my/pos/homepage/homepg_rate.aspx

Hoping to post the prize today...  

Have a good long weekend,

Anic

Cloth Pad Giveaway - Earth Day 22nd April 2011 (THE WINNER)

Thanks to all who participated and it is inspiring to see what you do to help the earth.

The winner is Ms M!  Congratulations!

She has won:

I would like to send a liner (different print) to all participants who have not tried cloth pad.  They are:

1) Noen

2) Myluv-Sylvia

Honey & Butter, can't tell from your comment if you have tried cloth pad, if you haven't please email me your home address.

Thank you!

Cloth Pad Giveaway - Earth Day 22nd April 2011

Dear all,

It is Earth Day on 22nd April... I am doing a Cloth Pad Giveaway, to enter:

1) Visit http://act.earthday.org/ and find something you could pledge and leave a comment to let me know  ----- gives you 3 chances
2) Leave a comment in this post  -----gives you 1 chance
3) Spread the news in your blog and leave a comment here ----- gives you 2 chances

The PRIZE will be 1 LINER and 1 REGULAR (about 9") cloth pad.  
The regular pad will have bamboo fabric/Zorb as core and top with one of the below flannel I bought from http://nizacraftshoppe.blogspot.com/2011/03/joann-cotton-flannel.html.

Updated 22-April, I have cut the material for the top.  I hope the winner will like the prints.  :)
Updated 23-April, the pads are ready...   :)

Deadline is 24th April 11:59 pm Malaysia time.    I will use a random generator to pick the winner on 25th April.

International entries are welcome...

What we could do to help the world...  even small things will help:
1) Use reusable menstrual products..  of course this is first in my list..  :)
2) Switch of the tap while brushing.
3) Lower my use of bottled water/ beverages.
4) I will turn off the lights if I dont need them.
5) Stop buying plastic water bottles.
6) I will use rechargeable batteries.
7) Never leave my laptop ON when I'm not using it.
8) I walk up the staircase to my apartment instead of using the lift..  (luckily my apartment is low floor, lol )
9) I do not use harmful soap & laundry detergent.
10) I pack food using my own containers.
etc...
So many things we could do...   check out http://act.earthday.org/ to find more ideas:

Updated 24 April, participant list:
1) Ms M
2) Ms M
3) Ms M
4) Ms M
5) Mila
6) Mila
7) Mila
8) Mila
9) Mila
10) Honey & Butter
11) Honey & Butter
12) Vintage Coconut
13) Noen
14) Noen
15) Noen
16) Noen
17) Noen 
18) Myluv-Sylvia
19) Myluv-Sylvia
20) Myluv-Sylvia
21) Myluv-Sylvia
22) Myluv-Sylvia

Bye now,
Anic

Cloth Pad Story 3 - 70% can't afford sanitary napkins

Dear All,

I came across this article yesterday about a study in India revealed that "Only 12% of India's 355 million menstruating women use sanitary napkins.".

Excerpt from the Article:
"NEW DELHI: Only 12% of India's 355 million menstruating women use sanitary napkins (SNs).

Over 88% of women resort to shocking alternatives like unsanitised cloth, ashes and husk sand.

Incidents of Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI) is 70% more common among these women.

Inadequate menstrual protection makes adolescent girls (age group 12-18 years) miss 5 days of school in a month (50 days a year). Around 23% of these girls actually drop out of school after they started menstruating.

The biggest barrier to using a sanitary napkin is affordability. Around 70% of women in India say their family can't afford to buy them."

Details below:
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-23/india/28363510_1_women-resort-napkins-menstruating

Due to the study , there are a few initiatives being taken:
1) Menstrual hygiene week  launched
"NEW DELHI: Chandrakanta carefully went through the literature and colourful pamphlets at a stall that gave out information on sanitary napkins. Curious teenagers shyly heard the counsellor at the stall sharing information on menstrual hygiene. Some others came forward to buy the small packets of sanitary napkins on offer at a special price of Rs 10 each.
.
.
Chandrakanta pointed out that it was a real challenge for them to convince women to stop using cloth and instead shift to sanitary napkins to prevent infections during mensturation. "
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-07/delhi/28665034_1_menstrual-hygiene-sanitary-napkins-menstrual-cycle


I am concerned about this statement of "to convince women to stop using cloth"...  :(  I think it should be "to convince women to stop using dirty cloth".   They shouldn't be sending the wrong message of using cloth is not right!

2) Free sanitary napkins for poor students in Delhi govt schools

" In a novel initiative, Delhi government will soon make available sanitary napkins free of cost to girl students from poor families in all schools run by it to ensure that their attendance do not suffer due to hygiene-related issues. Officials said the initiative is being taken to address high levels of absenteeism by girls students from poor families."

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-07/delhi/28665217_1_girl-students-delhi-govt-students-from-poor-families

While it is good that there is awareness that the poor women in India need helps, but is Disposable Sanitary Napkins the only ANSWER?   In poor places, clean water supply maybe an issue, using cloth pads may not be easy for the girls, is there a sustainable way to resolve this? 

PUL Fabric at Mum7Kids

If you have been thinking to sew your own cloth pads and want to buy water proof material,  mum7kids is selling PUL fabric at RM20 for half meter (Size = 50 cm x 145 cm (20" x 59")).   Only limited quantity and 1 piece per customer.

Please check out:
http://mum7kids.blogspot.com/2011/01/pul-fabric.html

DIY Cloth Pad - Part 9 (Snap on - Bamboo Fabrics)

Happy Chinese New Year to all....

Among my cloth pad stash, there is one which I quite like the design but there is something that I thought could be improved, hence I made one of my own.  

It has a base and a soaker made from Bamboo Fabrics.   I like this design as I only need to take a few soakers with me if I am going out on a cloth pad day...

The base is made from microfleece and the soaker is made from bamboo fabrics.   The soaker top is made from Bamboo Velour with 2 layers from Bamboo Fleece.   I bought the bamboo fabrics from Tiny Tapir.   Bamboo velour as top is not necessary.

You could make the entire soaker from Bamboo fleece.   If you are using bamboo fleece as top, the side with smooth knit should be the side facing the skin. Not the side with bulu-bulu..  :).

These bamboo fabrics soakers absorb very well and with the microfleece as backing, the menstrual blood spread out well and no leaking as microfleece is water resistance.

Please ignore the bad sewing.. :)

In the original design the soaker has both snaps with stubs, so I can't fold and snap the 2 end together like the photo on the right.

In the one I sewed, the soaker has snaps with 1 stub & 1 socket, hence I could fold and snap the used soaker nicely..  :)  Of course the base would need to make similar change.

I am feeling good that I finally have a chance to use the bamboo fabrics I bought a few months ago...  :)

Bye now and I am off to make more soakers...  :)

Warmest regards,
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad - Part 8 (Imported Flannel)

I meant to give cloth pads to a friend to try out..  have been dragging my feet and finally I completed 2 panty liners for her this morning.

There are 3 layers of flannel inside with additional 2 layers of flannel in the centre with a layer of hidden PUL (single layer PUL, not sandwiched).  I think it will be good for light flow too...

The one on the top is made from Imported Flannel I just bought from (R22 per meter):

http://maymayshop.blogspot.com/2010/11/cf-367-imported-cotton-flannel-princess.html

The flannel is thicker than the ones I bought from Nagoya.   Harga kan tak sama.. :)


2 other imported flannel from the same place.

http://maymayshop.blogspot.com/2010/11/cf-367-imported-cotton-flannel-cup.html
http://maymayshop.blogspot.com/2010/11/cf-365-imported-cotton-flannel-school.html

The niceclothdiaper site has left me (and cloth pad users) a comment:

"hi Anic and all,

We are clearing our PUL fabric here: http://www.niceclothdiaper.com/diaper-fabric/sandwich-pul-outer-layer.php . Check us out while stock last! Thanks. :)
love, http://www.NiceClothDiaper.com"

Check out their website:

http://www.niceclothdiaper.com/diaper-fabric/sandwich-pul-outer-layer.php

For more information about cloth pads,  please see my other cloth pads entries:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/search/label/Reusable%20Menstrual%20Products

Bye..
Anic

Cloth Pad Story 2 - Ummi Cloth Pad

I had volunteered myself to test out Ummi Pads by Lynn.   I received the overnight pad more than a month ago..  The pad is very soft and well sewn.  The top is flannel with cute cartoon print as you can see from the above picture and the back is white flannel with pink check print.  It came with 2 sew-on snaps.   Lynn now has a snap press from Tiny Tapir, all her wing pads come with KAM snaps:

I thought it will be comfortable to wear..   but was a bit reserved as it is a bit thick compared to what I have..

I finally got a chance to try it out recently, to my surprise, it is actually very very comfortable despite of the thickness (this is personal view, it may not be thick to others).   No leaking, absorbed well and felt dry too...

My conclusion is this is a very good pad and happy that I owned one...

Lynn,  thanks for making a great pad...

Bye now,
Anic

Cloth Pad Story 1 - Sewing in the mountain of Nepal

For many ladies, buying disposal pads for our menses is second to nature.   However, what happen if a lady/family is so poor that they can't afford disposable pads?  I never thought about this until I started reading more about cloth pads.  I came across articles about ladies in a family sharing a piece of dirty rag for the few special days of the month.  They are so poor that they can't even afford to have their own piece of rag. The ladies suffered from hygienic related diseases and life threatening diseases like cervical cancer.  Girls could not go to school when they have their menses.  There were also cases that they were isolated in a hut outside their usual home so that they don't dirty their home.. :(   Very sad to read...

Fortunately, there are some organisations out there who are working actively to help these deprived ladies.

Today, I saw this post about a meaningful NGO programme in Nepal organised by Taiwan National Tsing Hua University International Volunteer Group, Vision Youth Action Taiwan, and with the help of EasyLohas, provided some villagers in Nepal cloth pad materials and taught them how to sew cloth pads.   It is very touching to see the photos.

Please see photos here:
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/volunteer-nepal/article?mid=1588&prev=-1&next=1581

Please be sure to check out the last few photos where a husband helped the wife, a young man & a father sewing for their beloved girlfriend and wife.  They are so sweet and loving...

For this activity, EasyLohas has made an easy to hand sew cloth pad pattern:

http://ppgin.pixnet.net/blog/post/31366712

Other organisations working on the same cause:

1) Not just a piece of cloth -   An organisation who collects used old cloths which are washed, sanitised and cut into 1 foot by 1 foot to make sanitary napkins for the poor.  

2) http://www.donatepads.org/ - A website providing information on organisations accepting pads/money donations.

I am thinking to help even if it is only in a small way...

Bye now,

Anic

Sewing Notions 11 - Kam Snaps & Cloth Pads

I sewed 5 cloth pads last weekend so that I could use my new Kam snap pliers..  :)    I have friends in mind who I can give them too.  

These are panty liners, the left 2 are tops with flannels and the right most with designer cotton.  :)   The backing is microfleece like below right. 

Normal flow day pads with Zorb as core and the top is from suede cloth.   The backings were made from pink colour Sandwich PUL (as above left) and I have a feeling that these pads may make the users sweat.
(These snaps are size 20.)









There are 4 parts in one complete set of Snap:

What do we do with the parts?   You need to poke a hole in the fabric, and then put the stud or socket on top of the cap, like this:

Then centre everything nicely on the pliers and close the pliers and press.
hooray..  the snap is fixed onto the fabric.   The centre sharp bit of the cap will become flatten like this:

I have borrowed Serena's & another blogger's pictures.  I tried to take photos of my own but I don't know how to take good close up views.

My pliers will apply snaps for size 20 (12.4mm), 16 (10.7 mm), 14 (9.74 mm) & 24 (bigger than 12.4mm, don't know the diameter).

I bought 200 sets of snaps of size 16 but found them a bit too small for normal size cloth pads.  200 sets will give 400 caps, 200 studs & 200 sockets.

Generally, I read that size 16 is recommended for cloth pads, and size 20 for diapers.   But size 20 is really not that big, I suggest you go for size 20, good all rounder.   Size 16 looks a bit small on normal size cloth pads.  They are ok for panty liners.

Originally, I wanted to buy a mixture of size 16 & size 20 of 200 sets from the seller, but she wasn't able to do the mix, however she was kind enough to give me some samples of size 14 & size 20.   Size 14 & 16 use the same studs & sockets, only the caps are smaller for size 14.

For cloth pads tutorials - please see:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/2010/07/diy-cloth-pad-part-3.html

Hope this help.

Bye now..
Anic

Sewing Notions 9 - Kam Snap Pliers

Dear all,

Finally after many days of waiting, today I managed to collect my Kam snap pliers from the post office.    I bought it from Serena of Notion Supply Yahoo Group.   The standard set without snaps is USD20 including postage which allow you to apply Kam snaps of size 16, 20, 24 (I added USD1 to get the snap die for size 14).  I also bought 200 snaps of 8 colours at USD10.   You could also buy the snaps from www.tinytapir.com.

Updated 20 Sept: Please note that Tiny Tapir now sells Snap Pliers at RM39.9 per set.

I couldn't wait and tested the pliers with the cloth pads I have sewn.   It works!   :)  Very please that I can now apply resin snaps on the many cloth pads I am going to sew.

To get more information on buying the pliers, join the Notion Supply group, you will then be able to access all the information there...

Bye now,
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad - Part 7 (Zorb)

 

 I sewn 2 cloth pads this morning.

One of them will be given to a colleague as farewell gift.   Not sure if she will take it alright but I thought this is the best gift I could give her.    I will attach a nice leaflet about reusable menstrual product plus instructions on how to use and wash.   Hope she won’t faint after opening the gift. 

How about you?  If you receive a cloth pad as a gift, how would you take it if you are not already a cloth pad user?

The top is suede cloth from US which a friend brought it back for me.    Inside, it is a layer of flannel & a layer of Zorb.  A layer of flannel is added between the top and Zorb so that I could sew channel in the middle without sewing through the Zorb.

Zorb is specially designed by Wazoodle for diapers making.  It is very absorbent and absorbs quickly.  It also dries quicker than other comparable material.  I washed the 2 pads this morning and they are almost dry now. (at 2pm).  It is very good if you want to make a heavy flow pad but do not want the thickness.  :)  Oh..  I must tell you how long it took for the items to arrive from Wazoodle, Canada.  More than 2 months by surface mail.  I thought they will never arrive...   If you would like to try out Zorb, I am happy to share some with you at cost plus postage from Canada & to you.

The bottom is a sandwiched PUL I bought from niceclothdiaper when they have 50% sale.  It is really a bit thick to be used as a hidden layer, so I just used it as bottom.

I read that suede cloth is good to wick away moisture.  When I did a test on the pad, it took 20ml water quickly and the top still feel dry when I touched it.  BTW, I read that a super-plus size Tampon takes up to 15 ml.  So 20 ml is really a lot...

Updated 4th Oct:  I think using both suede cloth & sandwiched PUL will make the user sweat, will have to try the suede cloth with micro-fleece or single PUL and see if it is less hot..  I like to have water proof for the pads I sew for new users as I don't want them to have leaking problems and have bad experience with cloth pads.  It is meant to encourage them to use cloth pad rather than driving them away..

What is Zorb?  Check out this link for more information.   Quoting a few key notes here:

Zorb contains only tangled cellulose fibers from bamboo/cotton/viscose and poly micro fiber, the same fibers found in virtually every AIO diaper on the market – nothing else. These non-allergenic fibers are non-allergenic, durable and easy to sanitize.  We manufacture Zorb in the USA and Canadian in modern facilities that are safe & friendly for workers and the environment.
 

For a head to head comparison on thickness, stacking Zorb on a desk against the common fabrics will show you something like this.  1 layer of Zorb is the same as:
•    3 layers of flannel
•    2.25 layers of French terry
•    1.3 layers of cotton fleece
•    1 layer of sherpa.
 

Now, to get the same absorbency, as 2 layer of Zorb, you will need:
•    8 layers of flannel
•    6 layers of French terry
•    5 layers of cotton fleece
•    4 layers of sherpa.

Feedback about Zorb by some cloth pads makers & users:

http://community.livejournal.com/cloth_pads/711850.html

I found a plastic version of traditional sew on snap, another possible fastening method:

If you are new to cloth pads, please read my other posting on Cloth Pads.

Alternative to Cloth Pad - Menstrual Cup

Another reusable menstrual product..  Menstrual cup 

If you haven't heard, here is a good place to start:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup

Now after you have figured what it is and are open to the idea, here is more information:

1) What size or brand should I get?
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/1285963.html  

After reading, still do not khow what is best for you?

I just found this.."Take the Cup Quiz Here!

Is it better?  Or even more confusing...  :)

Luckily (or unlucky?)  I didn't know all this;  I was over excited and bought the cup from the only place I could find locally, TinyTapir.  I just bought one of the brands they carry, fortunately it works well for me

2) Where to buy?
TinyTapir carry Mooncup and Ladycup.   

Many brands sell their cups online too.   Here is a very good link that gives the list of websites for online purchase:
http://menstrualcups.friendhood.net/where-to-buy-f42/places-to-purchase-menstrual-cups-t38.htm#45

My favourite site for buying Ladycup is:
http://stores.ebay.com/LadyCup-menstrual-cups  as the seller includes shipping and sometimes you get good price via Auction. 

3) If you need more information, these are good places to seek help:
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups
http://menstrualcups.friendhood.net/forum.htm

I am not a Tampon user and don't like it actually.  But the thought of just having my cup with me that is all I need for my menses, I just can't resist the idea. Though the cloth pads are also good… but with cup, a lot less washing.   So, I was determined to get the cup work for me. This effort put in will bring a lot of convenience for the many years to come.   Fortunately, it turned out well for me.  :)

If you continue to read till this point, maybe there is a chance that you may try the cup..  :)
Let me know if you need more information, I will try my best to help..

Cloth Pad - No time to sew, where to buy?

If you have no time to sew your own cloth pads, here is a list of suppliers I have collected so far... 


Local cloth pads makers:
1) Saffa Cloth Pads - http://mum7kids.blogspot.com/
2) Mama Patch Cloth Pads - http://www.facebook.com/mamapatch
3) Blucotton Cloth Pads -http://www.facebook.com/blucotton
4) Ummi's Cloth Menstrual Pads - http://www.facebook.com/pages/UMMI-PAD/154120914624903
5) Babyz N Mom -  http://babyznmom.com/categories/Cloth-Menstrual-Pads-%26-Panty-Liners/
6)  Baby Snowdrop-  http://www.facebook.com/baby.snowdrop
7) Sweet Pretty Stuff - http://sweetprettystuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Cloth%20Pad

8) Yayahandmade - http://yayahandmade.blogspot.com

9) Niceclothdiaper - http://www.niceclothdiaper.com/

10）NatureCare Health Management - 48A, Jln SS2/4A, 47300 PJ， Tel: +603-7877-5614

Fax: +603-7877-5613/7710-8630   Email: admin@nature-care.org  (RM 22 pp for cloth pads made from organic material）

Local websites selling overseas product:
1) Fresh Moon, Hag Rag, Sckoon, Cyclez, Moonbow Cloth Pads
http://www.tinytapir.com/category/Cloth-Pads/c80

2) Blue Jayz & Fresh Moon Cloth Pads
http://mycheekyboo.com/categories/Cloth-Mama/

3) Moonbow Cloth Pads
http://mymall.netbuilder.com.my/index.php?doit=showclass&cid=86&domain=pattybelle

4) Momiji Cloth Pads
http://www.syadreamzsew.blogspot.com/
http://sweetprettystuff.blogspot.com/

5) Lunapads
http://www.miabambina.com/

ETSY is also a good place to find crafters' made cloth pads:

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=menstrual+pads+cloth&search_type=handmade&ref=auto

Sometimes some of them provide free shipping...   so, price is not too bad if shipping is free or not too high.

This one is interesting:

http://amysragbag.com - Starter pack USD15 plus USD4.5 for postage.

She has the pads made in a very flexible way and they could be used in different combination to meet the different type of flows.

Hope this help ladies who don't have time to sew but would like to try cloth pads...

DIY Cloth Pad - Part 6 (Where do you get the material?)

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...