DIY: Sew Your Own Cloth Pantiliners

Cloth pantiliners from scrap fabric

Cloth pantiliners from scrap fabric

If you were to look at my academic record, you might suspect that I went after the least practical degrees on purpose. I didn’t: I just have impractical interests. Along with having a degree or two in English, I have a minor in theater arts — costume design. I used to make fairly elaborate Renaissance costumes. Now I hem, mend, and sew cloth pads. How far the mighty have fallen!

I mostly now use menstrual cups, which are less messy and lower maintenance than cloth pads, but I still like my mini cloth pantiliners from Mimi’s Dreams and don’t regret jumping off the disposable pantiliner bandwagon. I wanted a few more and have lots of fabric scraps kicking around, so I decided to make some for myself. I tried out a few different patterns, and came up with my favorite.

So, here’s a little tutorial on making your own cloth pantiliners.  They’re fairly quick and easy to make. These are tiny, thin, unobtrusive daily liners or light cup backup. You can make wider, thicker versions for cloth menstrual pads.

You will need:

  • Smallish amounts of fabric (OK to use old towels, the ugly flannel shirt you were going to get rid of, other things you have lying around the home). More detail later.
  • Thread. I like matching it to the fabric, but to be green, I should say: use whatever you already have.
  • Pins. Not the safety pin type.
  • Some type of closure. I like sew on snaps. There are also ones you can hammer in, buttons, and (if you really must) Velcro dots.
  • A sewing machine. The thicker the pad, the stronger your sewing machine should be. Lightweight is fine for these pantiliners.
  • An iron, preferably with good steam power. Ironing is not optional when it comes to sewing. Sorry.
  • Bandaids if you’re new to sewing and prone to klutziness. Pins are sharp and irons are hot. But I hope you won’t need those.

Step 1. Find or make your pattern.

cloth pantiliner pattern

There are lots of free patterns out there. You can also trace a disposable pad or make your own pattern. I knew I wanted something a little narrower and thinner than my Mimi’s Dreams minis, so I used graph paper to draw a pad that was 7″ long and 2″ wide, with 1.5″ wings (they need to be long enough to overlap by 1/2″ – 1″). This is tiny, by the way — most pads are 2.5″ across and often much longer. Then I added seam allowance to all sides, folded it in quarters so it would be symmetrical, and cut it out. If you make a pattern like this, be sure to have a 2″ straight edge that you can leave open to turn the pad inside out later. I’m using the side of one wing.

The insert pattern is just the pad without the wings or seam allowance (2″ x 7″, in my case). Depending on what fabric you use and how much absorbency you want, you may want more than one layer of the insert.

Step 2: Get your fabrics together.

cactus fabric

Cactus print cloth pantiliners!

Cloth pads usually have three layers:

  • a top layer of something soft and absorbent, like a cotton flannel or quilter’s cotton
  • an absorbent core  (cotton flannel, terry, natural fleece)
  • a moisture resistant or moisture proof backing, like polar fleece.

You don’t need very much fabric. About 1/4 yard of each will yield 5+ liners. I’m using a quilter’s cotton on top that was scrap from a friend’s project. (I realized only after cutting that a cactus print might not be entirely appropriate for its intended purpose.) The core is from a 1/4 yard cut of cotton flannel sheeting. The back is a black synthetic suede that is thinner than fleece yet offers some moisture resistance.

Wash, dry, and iron all your fabrics on the highest / hottest settings you are likely to ever use on your cloth pads. Even though I line dry 90% of the time, there are days on which I want (or need) clean liners now and send them through the dryer. Do not skip this step! Your cloth pads will warp.

Step 3. Cut out your fabrics.

If you’re testing out a new pattern, I would just make one, but it saves time to cut multiples out. Make sure your pattern is parallel with the selvage (the finished edges of the fabric), pin, and cut carefully around your pattern. You can also trace it and cut on your tracing lines instead.

For a thin, everyday pantiliner, I use two layers of flannel for the core, so cut two of the inserts for every one of the top and bottom layers.

Step 4. Sew the insert to the top layer.

Cloth pantiliner insert

Be lazy: sew straight lines!

Pin and sew the insert to the wrong side of the top layer. Some people sew ovals or squigglies. Sewing tight curves is a pain, so I just stitch two lines on the edges of the insert. Tip: if you sew in the same direction for both lines, you’re less likely to get wrinkles in your insert.

Iron.

Step 5. Sew the top and bottom layers together.

cloth pad project 006

More pins.

Pin the top and bottom layers together, wrong sides facing. (Lots of pins. Fabric likes to shift on you when you’re sewing.) Now sew the sides together, leaving at least a 2″ gap on a straight edge somewhere for turning.

Iron and then clip the curves (both concave and convex). Otherwise they won’t look nice or lie flat when you turn everything inside out.

cloth pad project 007

Clip those curves. The right wing has been left open for turning.

Step 6. Turn everything inside out.

This is the most miserable part of the process, because you’ll end up with something limp and misshapen and begin to think that paying $4 for a cloth pantiliner is a good deal. Plus it’s easy to not leave quite enough space to turn and have to wrestle with it. (2″ is the absolute minimum — the thicker the pad, the more you’ll need.)

Use your fingers or a tool to press the seams open, and then iron with lots of steam until it looks presentable.

Step 7. Topstitch around the whole thing.

cloth pad project 009

If you want the finished product to look nice, go slowly on this step. I manually adjust the foot around the curves because my current sewing machine has only two speeds: 0 and a whole lot faster than I want to be going. Be sure to tuck in and sew over the seam that you left open to turn the thing inside out.

Lines a little crooked? Oh well. It’s only underwear.

Step 8. Attach some sort of fastening.

I like sew on snaps, but you could also do buttons or some kind of tab closure. All done!

You can read about my earlier adventures in cloth pads here. I think having some basic sewing skills is quite green if you want to be able to mend old clothes or make new things out of scrap fabrics.

Do you use cloth pads or liners? Have you tried making your own?

30 responses to this post.

  1. Thank you for writing about this. This post and your previous one on the topic were super informative!! I didn’t even know cloth pads existed, and had only vaguely heard of cups before. While I don’t sew, I like the fact that cloth pads are cheaper than cups. I’ll give em a try.

    Reply

    • Hi Anastasia!

      I guess these topics verge on the super crunchy side of things. I like cloth pads but have since become a bigger fan of cups — I can put it in in the morning, empty it at night, and completely forget about it otherwise. Cloth pads take up more of my time and attention, but are great for light days. They’re about comparable in price ($20-$40), considering you would need more than one cloth pad.

      If you’re curious about cups, http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/ is full of great resources, past Q&A, and cup enthusiasts.

      Reply

  2. […] men reading may want to skip this one, but this tutorial is so easy I just had to share.  Quit buying disposable pantiliners and make your own, or shop the […]

    Reply

  3. Ive thought about making these for ages, I really should just give it a go! Nice tut by the way!

    Reply

    • Hi Janette,

      Thanks! I hope you do; I’m happy with the outcome of my little project (who wouldn’t want cactus pantiliners?). I also linked to some other tutorials and free patterns if you need some more perspective. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Posted by Bele on 01/11/2013 at 06:06

    I’ve made some cloth menstrual pads a while ago, not nearly as nice as yours though, my relationship with the sewing machine is kinda shaky. I also use a menstrual cup, but it usually leaks at night (I “sleepkegel”, apparently), so these are handy. Mine have little pockets, so I can tuck inserts with different densities, appropriate for my roller coaster period. If anyone interested has access to a sewing machine or enough patience to sew by hand, I highly recommend giving it a try — it’s very economical and you can make pads with awesome prints, like cacti 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Bele,

      I was curious about the ones with inserts, but judging by the way I lose socks, I was uncertain of my ability to end up with the right number of inserts to pads! The cup works really well for me, so I don’t tend to need anything but a liner (more for peace of mind than anything else). I’m amazed at all the cool custom prints on Spoonflower. I stuck with fabric I already had for this project, but I’m geeking out over the biology-themed prints. How awesome would it be to have pads with Hackel’s jellyfish on them?? 🙂

      Reply

  5. Earlier this week I actually ordered some cloth pads off of Etsy. They had really good reviews and people seemed to love them, so I bit the bullet. I probably won’t receive them for another week or two, but I’m really looking forward to trying them! I was on the Depo Provera shot from the ages of 17-29 and didn’t have my period the entire time. It took my body almost a year to get back to normal, so I’ve only had two cycles since then, which is weird considering I’m now 30 and didn’t have them for so long! I’d love to get to the point where I feel comfortable using a menstrual cup, but I’m not going to be there for a bit yet.

    Reply

    • Posted by Catherine on 06/02/2020 at 01:22

      I’ve thought about them for a while now and haven’t made the leap…

      Without all the sticky holding them in place; how do you keep them from bunching/shifting? Do you put snaps in your underwear too?

      Reply

  6. Posted by Naomi on 02/07/2013 at 11:16

    This is actually amazing!! I’ve never heard of doing this before, but it’s pretty cool.

    Reply

  7. Posted by smallftprints on 04/02/2013 at 06:03

    Hello … this is off-topic … Was just thinking about you and wondering how you are. Hope you are terrific and enjoying life. Miss seeing your posts! Take Care! 🙂

    Reply

  8. Great share! Check out http://www.collegegogreen.blogspot.com The mission is to share great ideas with eco-conscious college students looking to save money and save the planet.

    Reply

  9. Thanks for spreading the good word here! I was recently fed up with the amount of waste created by my period, not to mention the cost. I bought a silicone cup which is comfortable and safe and can be reused indefinitely. I love these eco-friendly solutions! This is brilliant and I am going to share it on my sites too. You guys are the best!

    Reply

  10. Indeed a great post. Besides, I’m happy to find a great blog of my interest. You are doing a great job, please keep it up 🙂

    Reply

  11. This is great! Please check out Celadon Road – company based on organic products. http://www.myceladonroad.com/erikaw

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  12. This is amazing! Thank you, I now know what I’ll be doing today lol! Check out my green blog http://environmentalmama.com/

    Reply

  13. My favorite type of pantyliner is the kind where i go dump oil in the ocean to kill baby fish lol kill trees or kill yourself 🙂 ❤ #FBGM #L1C4 #GOCARDS #IKILLTHEMTOOTHO #DIEMOTHEREARTHDIE follow me @aarondupont12

    Reply

  14. Posted by A Little Bit More Green on 06/08/2014 at 14:54

    Part of me really wants to make the switch, but then I see myself carrying a used one in my purse and then I think it’s a terrible idea. Maybe I just need to give it go. I’m a crap seamstress, but I think I can do this. http://alittlebitmoregreen.wordpress.com/

    Reply

  15. I might have to try this! I recently got my first sewing machine, although I have no idea how to use it yet. I do agree with the comment above, knowing I have it in my bag is a little strange, but I carry dirty nappies around and it’s no different really.
    http://www.yummygreenmummy.com/

    Reply

  16. Posted by Jude on 01/23/2016 at 15:45

    I have been using folded terry cloth pads for years (just ripped up old towels) and disposable liners when I go out on light days, but this post has inspired me to make some liners and get away from the disposables altogether. Thank you Do you mind if I link to your post on my blog?

    Reply

  17. Posted by Steph on 08/18/2016 at 03:01

    This is such a great idea. 🙂 I’ve been using cloth towels for over a year now and making my own really appeals. Will save me money when these run out as well. ^_^

    Reply

  18. If you care about sustainability, we invite you to join our community of conservation projects, environmental educational activities and ideas to help the environment http://www.sustainablefriends.com, so that you can participate and benefit in multiple ways.

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  19. I am afraid I don’t like pads at all. I prefer a cup. I don’t feel comfortable wearings pads. I think everyone is looking at me

    Reply

  20. Posted by lpk on 12/26/2017 at 14:47

    My Indiegogo campaign ‘Papelyco by Lifepack: Plantable Plates’

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    Reply

  21. Posted by Nicole on 03/03/2018 at 04:27

    That’s a interesting article! Thanks for sharing it.
    I appreciated the green spirit also in the small tiny stuff we do every day. It’s Not Easy To Be Green.
    Here’s on more great product for a greener environment – http://bit.ly/2tdmxkW

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  22. Posted by Marianna on 06/20/2018 at 14:48

    Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for.

    Reply

  23. Posted by jacky on 08/22/2018 at 11:36

    I’ve recently discovered how awesome using cloth pads are and they’re so comfortable too. I’ve now made 11 cos I have to wear everyday due to incontinence

    Reply

  24. […] For people who menstruate there are a number of reusable alternatives to tampons and pads. I use a Mooncup  and have also heard good things about Meluna but everyone’s body is different and I realise menstrual cups don’t work for everyone. I’ve never tried reuseable pads myself ,but they’re widely available here are a number of sellers on Etsy or you could make your own by following this link […]

    Reply

  25. Posted by KellRae McInturf on 02/19/2019 at 08:44

    Hi.
    My name is KellyRae.
    I have no need for these ..I’m 53 and have not had to deal with bloody visits. Had hytorecomy when I was 32.
    But I have a daughter and Grandgirls and friends. I’m interrested in making these for gifts for them to use in their big out bags. And to give to homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters. Also considering selling to preppers, survivalists.
    Thank you for this pattern and your whimsical wit.
    I’m looking forward to making these.

    Reply

  26. […] on Etsy, which is a great way to support small independent businesses, or alternatively there are instructions here to make your […]

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