Making cloth menstrual pads for yourself can be a great way to save money. More and more people are now switching to reusable alternatives for their period. But, if you want to make your own, where should you begin? What fabrics work well? How do you know what to try? Here is our guide to choosing the right fabrics for your cloth pads.

Waterproof fabrics

Most people like to have a waterproof layer at the bottom of the pad. If the pad that you are making is just a liner, then you could leave this layer out. For your period though, or anything that will be soaking up more than a tiny amount of liquid, then a waterproof layer is a good idea. There are a couple of choices for this and it will depend on your own personal preferences as to which you choose.

The easiest and thinnest option, is a laminated polyester fabric, usually called PUL. This is coated with a waterproof plastic layer and yet is still breathable, which is what makes it ideal. Some people do find that it can be a little slippery in your underwear. They tend to back this fabric with quilting cotton, or other fabrics to stop it from moving. As it is thin, this won’t make the pad too bulky.

Other choices for this layer are polyester windpro fleece. This is highly breathable and blocks moisture. It can be difficult to get hold of in New Zealand though. Another choice is to use wool. Old woollen blankets can work quite well as this bottom layer. They are quite bulky though and add to the thickness of the pad, which some people do not like.

Absorbent fabric

For the centre of the pad, you will want something that will soak up the liquid. There are a number of choices for absorbent fabrics. Hemp and bamboo fleece both work well and are very easy to sew with. They can both take a while to dry though, so you might want to make sure that you have plenty of pads on hand if you choose this option. Other good absorbent fabrics are from the zorb range; both zorb ii dimples and zorb ii diamonds would work in pads. Just be aware that they will change thickness and shrink slightly when first washed.

Microfibre terry is a fast drying option for pads, it washes well and is a good choice. If you choose to go with this fabric when making cloth menstrual pads, then you must ensure that it has a different fabric on top. It should not be directly against the skin as it can cause irritation if it is.

Cotton fabrics, such as terry cloth work well. They are not quite as absorbent as some of the other fabrics mentioned, but wash and dry well. You can even use old towels, as long as they do not have fabric conditioner on them, as this coats the fibres and makes them stop being absorbent. This is a great choice if you are on a budget or looking to use recycled fabrics.

Topping fabrics

When it comes to the layer of fabric closest to the skin, there are lots of options to choose from. Many of my own pads are topped with printed quilting cotton, which makes them look quite nice. You can choose the prints or styles to match your own personality or taste. Flannel cotton also works quite well. In either case you may want to choose a dark design that doesn’t show stains, but some people aren’t bothered by this, or are quite good at removing any marks by soaking or spot treating.

If you have used bamboo fleece or velour in the centre of the pad, then you don’t have to have a topping fabric. Just be aware that bamboo is notorious for staining badly. Some people dye bamboo first, which can hide stains. As long as the dye that you choose is not likely to irritate the skin, then this is a good option.

A very basic choice would be to go for a microfleece. White microfleece may seem like a bad choice due to the colour, but being polyester, it doesn’t tend to hold onto stains. You can always use a darker colour like black if this is an issue. It has a stay dry feel, so that the pad does not feel wet against your skin.

Some people like to use minky as the top layer. Being polyester it has a stay dry feel, like the microfleece. It is lovely and soft, which is particularly good if you are making the pads for use after birth, when things tend to be a little tender. Some people do say that it can be a little hot, so please be aware of this if you live in a hot country, or are making the pads for summertime use.

Making cloth menstrual pads

I hope that this has helped if you are planning on making cloth menstrual pads. I am planning on publishing a free cloth pad pattern in the next few months. I will be needing some people to help me with the testing of the pad, so please get in touch if you would like to try sewing it.

Related posts:

What you need to make modern cloth nappies Which absorbent fabric? Making reusable nappy liners Bamboo fleece