New!

[naturclair]

Hello! I'm new to cloth pads and want to start making my own! Do you guys think a hand held sewing machine and hand stitching is sufficient or should I invest in a bigger sewing machine? I'm totally broke and don't have any cloth pads yet so I'm trying to get started

Comments

[rubykins02]

I know people make them only using hand stitching and some that have been posted look quite nice! I think that I would certainly try the hand stitch/hand held machine. Another option is to see if you could borrow a sewing machine for a couple days to try making a few. I have use the pattern/tutorial from shewhorunsintheforest and have liked them a lot.

[naturclair]

Thank you!

[reluctant_rebel]

I didn't have a sewing machine when I first started using cloth, and have since made a ton of pads by hand and with a machine. The hand sewn ones don't come out as compact and flat as the machine ones (I could never get the stitches tight enough by hand) but they are perfectly functional and have lasted just as long as my machine stitched pads. Of course, the hand stitched ones took me MUCH longer to make, so it took a lot longer to build up my stash - but I definitely saved a ton of money and got a lot of satisfaction out of making them. Good luck! :)

[naturclair]

Thank you very much! I actually got a sewing machine today on freecylce to pick up tomorrow so I may be able to go the mechanical route. I'm just trying to figure out what material to use and where to get it. I have seen that fleece is recommended, and I wondered if a big ol fleece blanket is what that is? I thought I could make a Goodwill run and grab old blankets and cute patterend kids sheets for the top layer.

My ultimate goal is to make an etsy shop and sell pads and natural makeup. But first I want to make some for myself :)

[oceansolitude]

Some people use polyester fleece as a water resistant layer. I am not sure what kind people use. But you can use 100% cotton fleece(sweatshirt) for absorbant layers. Old towels also work great. You can make tops and bottoms from old cotton flannel pjs. You can also use 80% or more cotton velour (like an old tracksuit) for top layers.

Check out ecomenses.com for more fabric ideas and info.

I sewed my first bunch by hand, I could do about 1 a night. They have lasted as long as my machine sewn pads. I also sewed buttons and button holes instead of having snap fasteners.

[foudebassan]

Hi there, welcome to pads!

I still use my first pads, made 4 years ago by hand out of old T-shirts, so yeah - have fun, give it a try, there's no reason it won't work :)

[oomusicbabii]

I say go for hand sewing. I love sewing on my machine, but pads are up there with jersey and netting for things I refuse to sew by machine because they drive me crazy. Next free day I have, I will be going nuts cutting out fabric and starting hand sewing some.