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Reusable menstrual pads

Tutorials, guides, and photos for sewing your own cloth pads. This section collects my experiments, fabric tests, and step-by-step sewing methods to build your own cloth pad stash.


Corky is holding a reusable menstrual pad with the wings snapped closed.

Close-up of sewing a cloth menstrual pad on a sewing machine, with the needle positioned directly over the drawn sewing line on the back of the topper fabric.

Draw the sewing line on the back of the topper | sewing line vs seam allowance

When sewing cloth menstrual pads, the sewing line is the exact line you stitch on, while the seam allowance is the extra fabric outside that line. Drawing and sewing directly on a marked line gives more consistent, accurate shapes than relying on fabric edges as your guide.

Close-up of pinking shears trimming the seam allowance on a cloth menstrual pad before turning it right side out, showing the zigzag edge that helps reduce bulk in curved seams.

What are pinking shears used for?

When sewing reusable cloth pads, pinking shears are used to trim the seam allowance before turning the pad right side out. The zigzag edge helps reduce bulk and allows the seams to lay flatter inside the pad after turning.

Close-up of brightly dyed bamboo fleece fabric folded with visible fuzzy texture, showing soft pastel and orange tones.

Can you use bamboo fleece as a topper for cloth pads?

Yes. Bamboo fleece is soft, absorbent, and works beautifully as a cloth pad topper, whether you use the fuzzy side or the smooth knit side facing up.

Corky is holding a yard of bamboo fleece up while standing in her living room.

How to prep bamboo fleece before sewing cloth pads

Bamboo fleece and bamboo terry fabric need to be pre-shrunk before sewing to prevent the final pad from becoming warped after washing. Wash and dry the fabric on hot three to five times, measuring shrinkage between cycles to know when it’s ready to sew.

Hand holding two layers of 500gsm bamboo terry fabric showing the looped texture used for absorbent cloth pads and diapers.

Bamboo terry fabric

Bamboo terry fabric is a rayon based, knit fabric with one smooth side and one looped side. It’s highly absorbent, soft, and often used in cloth pads and diapers.

Sewing the layers of a reusable cloth menstrual pad on a sewing machine

How to make reusable cloth menstrual pads

Making your own cloth pads can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be. You can fold a washcloth for a quick, no-sew option, or sew layered pads with fabric, snaps, and waterproof materials for long-term use.

Corky holding a cloth pad with the wings snapped behind the pad.

Versodile Sewing Patterns for Cloth Pads

Sewing patterns designed for getting a custom fit to suit your needs. Mix and match the ends to get the cloth pad length and shape you need.

The front and back texture of 400gsm bamboo fleece fabric from Nature’s Fabrics.

Best core fabric for sewing cloth pads?

The best absorbent fabric for sewing cloth pads depends on what your goal is. My favorite, for being thin and soft, is 400 gsm bamboo fleece.

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