I stopped buying panty liners long ago. Since being laid off my job, I have been looking for extra ways to make money go farther. Instead of throwing old socks away, I have always kept them to use for other purposes like cleaning rags; I now keep them for yet another use. I lay the sock flat and cut up one side and toe, opening it up to one piece of cloth. I kept one panty liner for a pattern. I cut several layers from the pattern from the sock and discard the scraps. I had some old quilted place mats I never used and an old mattress pad that was never used. From these, I cut several layers from the pattern.
By duckie-do from Cortez, CO
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
I'm guessing yoder178 is speechless because s/he has never heard of this. I have never used cloth feminine products myself and am past that stage of life, so I never will, but many women in the USA and certainly around the world do. It is a growing movement. Think about it: if you use cloth diapers, how is this any weirder or more difficult?
I wonder if yoder178 has heard about family cloth yet? LOL.
The one word that comes to mind is ewww. Not so much because it is a cloth product, but it's made from an old used sock that is no longer fit to even be on a foot!
Do you wear your socks until theyre so stained and full of holes that theres not enough good fabric to cut a 2x5 mini pad? Is that why you think its nasty to use old socks to make mini pads?
This is not something I would do but I have a few comments on this one to Beckster944. The heel of a sock can get worn much earlier than the top or rest of a sock so there could still be plenty of good material to use. Second to Katie A., my mom used to tell me that when she was growing up with her 7 sisters during the depression they had a rag box which was for the girls to use "at that time of the month" so I guess it really isn't that weird especially when you mentioned cloth diapers, but lastly, unless these last through a LOT of washings (I would presume hot water and bleach) it sounds like a lot of work.
i use mattress pads for fillers for my craft projects and they work great. they can be found very cheaply at thrift stores and yard sales.
I love it when people think outside the box and not only does this save money but this also ends up helping our environment including trees and our landfills! I feel badly for those of you who are spoiled and think this is an icky idea :-( You probably wouldn't have faired well before disposable was invented by nurses during WWI.
Although I've never made or used these, I heard of a large growing movement of women who are making reusable ones of all shapes and sizes. It seems to me that some are so caught-up in the idea of making them with "used" clothing, that the idea has gone right past them. From what I've read, you can make them with any absorbable fabric. Using nylon fabric in the last layer will make them leak-proof.
Yes, this is what women used to do before disposables were invented. My suggestion to those who would be interested in this if it were not so time-consuming is to simply use the rags without sewing them up. And as for the sock-on-the-foot thing, one bleaching before use will put an end to that problem.
I'm all for ideas that make sense and save money and the environment. Thanks for having the guts to share this tip with everyone.
This is a great idea! If the task of making your own seems a bit daunting, there is a company that makes them for purchase called GladRags.
Can I use blue jean material or pantyhose? I seem to have a lot of that in the house.It is pretty expensive for me to keep buying and I use them also for bladder control leakage. I am 33 and weak bladders run in my family. I would like to know how to make them also.
I don't think pantyhose would be moisture resistant at all. Well-worn denim would probably be somewhat absorbant, but I don't think I'd want it next to me "down there".
Check the remnant section of your fabric store for flannel, or watch for sales on flannel. It doesn't take much to make each pad; you can get several out of just one quarter of a yard.
I've done this for years and none that I've sewn has ever worn out yet. It's actually a necessity for me - I am allergic to adhesives. Just try to find a commercial product without adhesives. I've never used socks, but I will try them next (well bleached). I use old flannel shirts or nightgowns (one gown will make multiple liners) and the remnants of several fleece projects. I use 3 or 4 layers of flannel and one outside layer of fleece. The good quality fleece allows air circulation but liquid won't usually go through. If you don't have fleece, you could repurpose the remains of a broken umbrella or an old raincoat, though I would enclose any slick material under a layer of flannel (mark it so you know which side goes away from the body). Making a pattern with flaps, you can also repurpose the shirt buttons to keep the liner in place. I generally use snaps.
Hello, at first, I thought that finding the recommended materials would end up costing me more $ than the $1-7 a mo for disposable. The nylon exterior to prevent leaks peaked my interest. I just have 1 question: How to make it stick? I am full figured & name name brand liners (w wings) still shift & end up bunched up out the backside of panties? Any suggestion?
I must say I was a bit taken back, I mean cut sewing socks ...this layer that layer oh my! Lol
:)p I'm not snobby, I'm not rich. I just was surprised that anyone would make these now 2014! However, a great idea if push comes to shove. I'm not taking that chip, so I better start learning how to sew. This is just one of many new ideas... saving money Thank you!
God bless everyone
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
