Cloth Feminine Pad Tutorial

Each February, our church participates in a short-term mission trip to Haiti with Mission Possible. The purpose of this outreach is to share the love of God and help the poor through education. One area of the outreach includes educating girls about their menstrual cycles and proper body care. Girls are provided Feminine Hygiene kits that contain supplies to use during their monthly cycle.

This simple kit will not only improve her health, but will also provide her the dignity to remain in school 45 more days per year where she can continue to learn. A quality education is one of the few hopes these girls have to rise above extreme poverty. In our world of modern conveniences it is hard to believe a few scraps of cloth could make a difference to someone else, yet the reality is these pads are life changing to the girls who receive them.

Feminine Hygiene Kit

Along with basic hygiene information, each kit contains:

 2 bars of soap, 3 pair of underwear,

100 ibuprofen tablets, 5 safety pins, and 10 cloth feminine pads.

How you can help

Last year 5,000 cloth feminine pads were donated for this project, and the hope is to expand the outreach to more girls in the future. In addition to prayer and financial support, Mission Possible is looking for volunteers to sew reusable pads for the feminine hygiene kits. Would you personally consider sponsoring one girl by donating your time to create 10 pads?

Perhaps you know of a 4-H club, Girl Scout troop, a quilting group, a retirement community, or a church sewing ministry that is looking for a service project. Your generous gift of time will make a significant difference in the life of a young girl in Haiti.

The following tutorial was written to assist those who want to join our efforts.

Materials List

                         

1 yard lightweight flannel fabric (will make approx. 10-12 pads)

1/2 yard 100% cotton quilt batting, low loft without scrim (ex: "Warm & Natural")

Size 14 (Denim) needle

Each pad consists of 2 outer layers of flannel and 4 pieces of lining made from cotton quilt batting.
Pattern measures approximately 7 1/2” from side to side and 8 1/2” from top to bottom. Measurements may vary depending on the printer. This is ok since we are going for utility and not perfection:)


Download Pattern 
Click here to Download Sewing Instructions

(to print you will need to download the file to your computer)

Feminine Pad - Cutting Instructions         

               

Step 1: Download pad pattern and transfer to lightweight cardboard. Templates can be made from card stock, cereal boxes, file folders or whatever lightweight cardboard you have on hand. Select some pretty flannel fabric...because we all like pretty don't we?

Step 2: Iron the fabric. This will help fabric lay flat making it easier to trace around the template. For each cloth feminine pad you will need two layers of flannel fabric.

Fold fabric in half, printed sides together, matching selvedge edges. Trace pad pattern onto fabric using an ink pen, being careful to follow the crosswise grain of the fabric. Careful placement of the pattern will maximize use of the fabric.

Step 3: Using a sharp scissors, carefully cut fabric. Set fabric aside keeping layers together.

Step 4: Lay out cotton batting. If possible fold batting in half so two layers can be cut at a time. Using an ink pen, trace lining pattern onto batting. Cut 4 pieces for each cloth feminine pad.

Feminine Pad - Sewing Instructions 

Step 5: Iron flannel fabric pieces and lay printed side down. Center two layers of cotton batting on each piece of flannel and pin in place.

Step 6: Straight stitch around edge of cotton batting using a size 14 (Denim) needle. Backstitch to secure seam. Repeat stitching on second flannel piece. (Tip: The size 14 needle will make it easier to sew through the layers.

              

Step 7: On each piece of flannel stitch two lines down the center. Backstitch to secure stitching. You may find it helpful to use a walking foot, and to decrease the tension setting on your machine. Painter’s tape is used in the photo to show a stitching guideline.

Step 8: If needed, trim so edges are uniform. Pin together the two flannel layers printed sides out, carefully matching edges.

Step 9:  Use a zigzag or overlock stitch to finish edge of fabric. (Choose one method)

Zig Zag Stitch - As shown in the photo above, with the "zig" the needle will move to the left piercing into the fabric. With the "zag" the needle will move to the right dropping off the fabric creating an overlock stitch. Suggested stitch length is 1.5 and width 5.  Backstitch to secure seam. 

                            

Overlock Stitch - Some sewing machines come with additional feet. As shown in the photo 

above, the overlock foot allows greater visibility when stitching along the edge of fabric. As you 

sew the pin on the foot will also help to keep the fabric flat. Backstitch to secure seam.

 

Optional: Secure with a medium size safety pin. You are finished! How pretty!

Update 2/28/18
In February of 2018 over 6,000 pads were donated to students in the rural areas of Haiti.  Enough to sponsor 524 young women! 

Update 2/28/19

Due to travel restrictions, the medical mission trip scheduled for February 2019 has been rescheduled for November.

Since there is an ongoing need, we continue to welcome donations.

Completed pads can be mailed to:

Sew Quilt Share

c/o Gateway Church

9555 County Road 9

Findlay, OH 45840

Please email me privately for our Canadian shipping address.

Please visit these links to learn more:

How Your Sewing Group or Organization Can Help
Pad Palooza!

View pad donations

May you always Sew in Peace!

Sandra