How to sew cloth pads/ Beginner Sewing
A Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Cloth Pad Pattern and Constructing the Perfect Pad
PART 1: Making Your Cloth Pad Pattern Video Tutorial
If you want to create your own cloth pad pattern, you’ll need the following materials:
- Two sheets of printer paper
- A ruler
- A pencil
Follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Fold both sheets of paper into quarters.
- Fold in half twice.
- Determine the desired length of your pad starting from the center. For instance, mark up half of that length if you prefer a 10-inch or 25.5 cm pad, which would be 5 inches or 13 cm.
- Measure 3 inches or 8 cm from the center to create the wings.
- In the middle, make a mark at 1.5 inches or 4 cm. The standard pad width is typically around 2.5 inches.
- Connect the lines with a pen, and add a ¼ inch or 1 cm seam allowance, which should be indicated by a dashed line.
- Cut out both layers along the seam allowance line, resulting in two identical copies.
- For the core, fold the second paper into quarters and draw a line to eliminate the wings. Cut off that part.
- From the shape you have left, mark around your core ½ inch or 1.2 cm from the edge, and cut along that line.
- You now have a finished pad and absorbent core.
PART 2: Constructing Your Cloth Pad
Cloth pads consist of three main layers, each providing maximum comfort and protection:
- The top moisture-wicking layer (typically cotton).
- The absorbent core or the second layer (usually flannel or toweling).
- The bottom waterproof layer (PUL fabric).
Sewing Instructions:
- Creating the Core: Start by transferring your template design onto a stack of core fabric. Trace around the template and use a small zigzag stitch or serger on your machine to follow the line. If using a zigzag, cut just beyond the stitched line.
- Sewing the Pad: Fold the topper fabric in half and press it to reveal the midline fold. Then pin the finished core pad to the center of the reverse side of the topper fabric. Sew down the fold line in the center to secure the core pad to the topper fabric. Using the presser foot as a sewing guide, sew two more sets of stitches to act as wicking.
- Putting the Pieces Together: Assemble the outer pad by placing the topper and backing fabric together with right sides facing. To ensure that the waterproof PUL fabric is sandwiched between the core and base, layer it on top of the base fabric. Sew a ¼ inch seam allowance around the pad, leaving a gap of approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches).
- Finish the Pad: Reduce the seam allowance to approximately 4-5mm around the edges, except for the turning gap. Turn the pad through the small gap and use a knitting needle or other tool to push out all the corners. Once the pad is through, press it with a warm iron to remove creases and sharpen the edges. Tuck in the seam allowance of the gap area. Use the presser foot of your sewing machine as a guide and sew a line of topstitching around the pad, a few millimeters from the edge. This neatens the edges and closes off the gap that was used to turn the pad. Attach snaps or Velcro. Before attaching snaps, place the pad in a pair of your underwear to mark where you would like the snaps to close.
Congratulations on creating your very own cloth pad! Share your creations with us on Instagram by tagging us and using the hashtag #sewingclothuganda24.