Sew Your First Cloth Pad With A Simple Beginner Pattern
Making a reusable menstrual pad is a practical way to learn basic sewing while choosing materials that feel comfortable against your body. A homemade cloth pad can be adjusted for your flow, underwear shape, and preferred level of coverage, without relying on disposable products every month.
This beginner pattern uses a simple curved rectangle with snap fasteners at the wings. You do not need an overlocker, specialist equipment, or advanced garment-making skills. A domestic sewing machine is helpful, although patient hand stitching can work for a first attempt.
Australian conditions are worth considering when choosing fabric and drying methods. A pad that dries quickly in Brisbane humidity may need a different routine from one washed and dried indoors during a cold Melbourne winter. The most important qualities are absorbency, softness, secure stitching, and easy washing.
Reusable menstrual products are also more visible in Australia’s local market. Spotlight, Lincraft, independent fabric shops, and op shops can be useful sources of cotton flannelette, old towels, and cotton shirts. Since menstrual products became GST-free in Australia in 2019, affordability has improved, yet sewing your own can still reduce ongoing household costs.
| Pad Component | Beginner-Friendly Choice | Purpose | Useful Australian Sourcing Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top layer | Cotton flannelette or soft cotton jersey | Touches the skin | Fabric shop, old cotton shirt |
| Absorbent core | Two to four layers of cotton flannel or towel | Holds menstrual fluid | Op-shop towel, sewing remnants |
| Waterproof layer | PUL or thin waterproof fabric | Helps prevent leaks | Fabric retailer or reusable nappy supplier |
| Bottom layer | Cotton or patterned flannelette | Adds comfort and style | Remnants, old cotton pyjamas |
| Fastening | Two sew-on snaps | Keeps wings under underwear | Craft or haberdashery section |
Choose Materials That Wash Well
For a first cloth pad, gather a washable paper pattern, fabric scissors, pins or clips, a ruler, thread, a sewing needle, and two sew-on press studs. A washable fabric marker is useful for tracing. If you have a sewing machine, use a regular polyester thread and a medium-length straight stitch.
Use natural fibres for the skin-facing and absorbent layers. Cotton flannel is easy to cut, inexpensive, and widely available. An old cotton towel can provide absorbency, but avoid thick bath sheets for the first project because several layers can become difficult to sew neatly. Do not use fabric with glitter, loose sequins, rough lace, or finishes that may irritate sensitive skin.
For a waterproof barrier, polyurethane laminate, commonly called PUL, is a practical option. It is often sold for cloth nappies and wet bags. If PUL is unavailable, make a pad without it and test the design at home first. Some synthetic waterproof fabrics trap heat, which may feel uncomfortable during an Australian summer, especially in warmer areas such as Brisbane or Darwin.
Draw And Cut A Simple Pattern
Draw a rounded rectangle about 25 centimetres long and 18 centimetres wide at the widest point. This creates a moderate day pad. At each side, add a wing extending about 5 centimetres from the central body. Round every corner so there are no sharp points to catch on underwear or create bulky seams.
Cut one top layer, one bottom layer, and two or three absorbent pieces. Cut the absorbent pieces slightly smaller than the outer layers, leaving roughly 1 centimetre of space around the edge. If you are making a light liner, use one absorbent layer. For moderate flow, two or three layers are a useful starting point. A heavier pad can be made later after you have tested how much absorbency you actually need.
Before cutting valued fabric, make a paper version and place it inside a pair of underwear. Check that the centre sits under the vaginal opening and that the wings reach beneath the gusset. Bodies and underwear vary considerably, so a pattern that looks generous on paper may feel narrow in practice. Add length or width now rather than trying to alter a finished pad.
Assemble The Layers Without Fuss
Stack the absorbent pieces in the middle of the bottom layer, then place the top layer over them with the right side facing up. Keep the waterproof layer directly beneath the absorbent core, with its smooth side positioned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Clip the layers around the outside edge, avoiding excessive pinning through PUL because pin holes can reduce its water resistance.
Sew around the pad with a 1-centimetre seam allowance, leaving a turning gap of about 6 centimetres along one long edge. Go slowly over the wings and curved ends. Backstitch at the beginning and end. Trim bulky corners and make small snips into the seam allowance around curves, taking care not to cut the stitching.
Turn the pad right side out through the opening. Use a blunt knitting needle or a capped pen to ease the curves into shape. Pressing may help cotton layers lie flat, but keep a hot iron away from PUL because heat can damage the waterproof coating. Fold the raw edges of the opening inward, clip them together, and topstitch around the entire pad. This closes the gap and adds a firm finish.
Secure The Wings And Test The Fit
Sew one snap to each wing so they meet underneath the underwear gusset. Mark the positions while the pad is wrapped around underwear rather than relying on measurements alone. The socket and stud need to face opposite directions so the wings close correctly. Sew each snap firmly with several passes of thread, then knot the thread between fabric layers if possible.
A short line of stitching down the centre can stop the absorbent insert from shifting during wear. Do not sew too many internal lines at first, as dense stitching can reduce flexibility. If the pad bunches, the wings pull inward, or the centre feels too narrow, alter the paper pattern before making another one.
Test the finished pad at home during a lighter day. Pour a small amount of water onto the centre to observe how quickly it spreads, then place the pad on a towel for a few minutes to check for dampness underneath. This is only a sewing test, not a perfect simulation of menstrual flow. Leaks can result from fit, compression, saturation, or fluid arriving faster than the core can absorb it.
Comfort and body confidence belong in the same conversation. The history of the word “cunt” and its reclamation is explored in this story of empowerment, and making period care that suits your own body can be part of that wider refusal to treat vulvas and menstruation as embarrassing.
Wash, Dry, And Improve Your Design
Rinse a used pad in cold water until the water runs mostly clear, or store it in a breathable wet bag until wash day. Cold water helps prevent blood stains from setting. Wash reusable pads with ordinary laundry detergent, avoiding fabric softener because it can coat fibres and reduce absorbency. A normal warm wash is generally suitable when the fabric care labels allow it.
Dry pads fully before storing them. Australian sunlight can be an excellent, low-cost drying method, although very strong sun may fade patterned fabric over time. In humid coastal weather, leave space between pads on the clothesline or use an indoor rack with airflow. Never put a damp pad into a closed container, as it can develop an unpleasant smell or mildew.
Keep a simple note of which layers and shapes work best. These details will help you refine the next version:
- Record the number of absorbent layers and the fabric used.
- Note whether the pad stayed in place while walking and sitting.
- Check the edges for fraying after several washes.
- Mark any staining, lingering odour, or slow drying.
- Compare the pattern with your favourite underwear gusset.
A small care kit can make reusable pads easier to manage away from home:
- A waterproof or washable wet bag with a secure zip.
- A spare pad folded inside a clean fabric pouch.
- Cold-water access for an initial rinse when practical.
- Unscented detergent for regular washing.
- A drying rack or sunny line with good airflow.
If pelvic pain makes sitting, changing, or moving uncomfortable, choose soft fabrics and avoid bulky seams. Body care can also include gentle, non-penetrative options; these gentle positions guide discusses ways to reduce strain when the pelvis is aching. Persistent pain, unusually heavy bleeding, or irritation from any menstrual product deserves advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
A first cloth pad does not need to look perfect. The pattern becomes useful when it fits your underwear, absorbs reliably, washes cleanly, and feels comfortable against your vulva. Start with washable cotton, secure the layers carefully, test it at home, and remember that the best design is the one your body can wear with ease.