Prefold to Mama Cloth Tutorial (pic heavy)

[Green Decals]

I use the Diva Cup (when not pregnant, obviously), and only use a pantyliner as a backup and for those days during pregnancy when I need a little extra something. I have some wonderful pantyliners that I bought in a co-op a while back, but they are too small and I don't care for the PUL lining because I prefer something a little more breathable. So, I had some old Gerber prefolds sitting around begging for me to do something with them and then it hit me - mama cloth!

Here are the few, simple steps that I followed. All I used was a prefold (washed and well-used), scissors, a pen (I didn't even break out the fancy marking pen, just a ballpoint I had handy), and my serger and snap press. You can do the same with a zigzag stitch on a regular sewing machine and use aplix or metal snaps, too.


First, decide on a pattern. I found a few online but ultimately tweaked my own - it both fits me well and is easy to serge, as I have a hard time serging interior curves on my serger. I don't have the skills to upload the pattern, but if you are clever you can print the photo below and scale it to fit (each square on my cutting board is an inch). Mine measures 9" long by 8" wide.


Next, trace the pattern onto your prefold - I can get 2 cuts from one prefold using the pattern I came up with. Be sure to line up the pattern correctly so that the padded part of the prefold is along the length of the pad.



Cut out your pieces - you don't have to be exact if you are using a serger, but if you are using a zig-zag on a regular machine, I would make your cuts as clean as possible.



Next, serge (or zig-zag) around the edges, overlapping where you started to seal the stitches.



Last, apply snaps. NOTE: Be sure to apply the caps to opposite sides so that your pads actually fasten correctly on your panties. If the snap caps are on the same side of the pantyliner, it won't fasten correctly. See last photo for the correct placement.



Not as pretty as some other mama pads out there, obviously, but just as functional not to mention super cheap... You could dye them to make them more appealing, or top them with a nice fabric, or back them with fleece or PUL to make them waterproof - whatever you please. I find that they are thick enough to be plenty sufficient as backup and probably thick enough for regular flow days without the Diva Cup. Enjoy!

[Monkeytaylz]

Nice way to recycle!!! I'll bet they are nice and absorbant, too! I had thought of making some post partum pads out of prefolds!

[mommy2gr8kids78]

Subbed to this thread to find it easy! I'm actually a heavy flow gal but I'm going to try making some of these tomorrow! I'm due for AF Next week and DON'T want paper again this month! How do you think really good pf's would work for full time mama cloth until I get some obv and such?

[Green Decals]

Originally Posted by Monkeytaylz Nice way to recycle!!! I'll bet they are nice and absorbant, too! I had thought of making some post partum pads out of prefolds!

LOL, I just made four postpartum pads, too - but haven't taken pics to do a tutorial! I could only get one cut out of a prefold because of the extra length, but I took the remaining scrap piece of the prefold (the center of it) and serged it to the pad to make an extra-thick middle section. I HATE the idea of having to use those plastic postpartum pads, but fortunatetly my SIL had some leftover from her son's birth so I didn't have to order them in my birth kit anyway. I have them if I need them, but I also have enough Gerber prefolds to not have to use them!!!

[Green Decals]

Originally Posted by mommy2gr8kids78 Subbed to this thread to find it easy! I'm actually a heavy flow gal but I'm going to try making some of these tomorrow! I'm due for AF Next week and DON'T want paper again this month! How do you think really good pf's would work for full time mama cloth until I get some obv and such?

I personally wouldn't cut up good prefolds, but that's just because I'm cheap. If you have a heavy flow you will probably want to use a barrier so as not to soak through your panties, but you could always experiment with different scrap fabric (old sheets, etc.) that you have around the house and use them on top of a sposie pad to see what works - that way you'll have the protection of the sposie but you'll be able to comfortably experiment with what materials work for you otherwise. AND... You'll have the comfort of mama cloth next to your skin!!!!!!!!

[mommy2gr8kids78]

Originally Posted by mumma1010 I personally wouldn't cut up good prefolds, but that's just because I'm cheap. If you have a heavy flow you will probably want to use a barrier so as not to soak through your panties, but you could always experiment with different scrap fabric (old sheets, etc.) that you have around the house and use them on top of a sposie pad to see what works - that way you'll have the protection of the sposie but you'll be able to comfortably experiment with what materials work for you otherwise. AND... You'll have the comfort of mama cloth next to your skin!!!!!!!!

Great tip! Thanks!

[katycat99]

awesome!

[GEM Cloth]

Wonderful idea!!

[momof4byz]

Great tutorial! Thanks!

[cutebluebaby]

Awesome! I have SO many of these lying around... now I can put them to use!