Personal! For Ladies Only!!

OK, don't say I didn't warn you.  Actually, the title is rather silly because probably only women read my blog anyway!  But I wanted to give fair warning so after you read this post you won't say, "Why didn't you tell me this was personal?"

During a season of thoughtful frugality, I was thinking on how to save money.  I was trying to think outside the box of normal savings.  A faint memory came floating through my brain.  I had seen these little things on Etsy and had briefly considered them then.  But nothing came of it until this moment.  It wasn't going to be a huge savings but it was the principle of the thing.  Cloth panty shields/menstrual pads! 

Before you say, EEWWWW!!, please hear me out.  I did some research on how to make them myself and therefore being extra frugal.  I had some flannel in my fabric stash.  So after reading HERE (I like her layered idea even if she is a little pin crazy!) and this LINK to many patterns, I decided to give it a try.

So I made one.

I tried it on. 

It was awesome!

Seriously, I was hooked, completely convinced!  It was so soft and comfortable.  I just knew that I had to make some to use all the time. 

So I did even more research and found out about a relatively new fabric called PUL.  It stands for Polyurethane Laminate.  It is a waterproof fabric but feels like thin knit, with stretch to it.  Fabric.com has it for $7.98 and right now they have a sale of at least 15% off (more if you spend more).  It is 60" wide so unless you are making a lot you won't need much.  I bought some so I would know the pads were waterproof. 

I used the disposable pad I had been using as a pattern and just made up my own pattern.  Then I used a layer of PUL and 4 layers of flannel.  You could use an old towel for the terry cloth if you wanted it more absorbent.  I use a basic snap on the "wings" and it works fine and stays in place.  If you want more info, or a copy of my patterns, leave a comment and I'll get back to you.  :) 

Just throw them in with your regular wash cycles and they clean up beautifully!
Please read what the Hillbilly Housewife has to say about how to use these for your cycle.  She explains it so well, I don't need to repeat it.  Click HERE. 

Here are some I made.

So now you may think I am crazy.   But if you sew, try them yourself.  You may be pleasantly surprised at how nice they are and wonder along with me why you didn't do it sooner!! 

P.S. If you already use these, drop me a line and let me know what you think of them.  :)

Happy sewing and saving,