Please DO NOT use fabric that has a camouflage pattern!

PLEASE READ COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING!

All flannel or terry cloth should be 100% cotton that has been washed, dried, and pressed. Unwashed and synthetic fabrics have caused infections for the girls. Pressing fabrics helps reduce creeping of fabric while sewing. PUL fabric and cotton quilt batting do not need to be prewashed. Flannel is used for one outer side of pad (and inner padding). PUL is used for other outer side (See Note #1). For the padding, you may use new premium 100% cotton flannel or 100% cotton premium terry cloth* – washed, dried, and pressed OR unwashed 100% cotton quilt batting.

Use polyester thread to avoid wicking. Use universal, knits, or ballpoint needle, not sharps. Optional but very helpful: sewing clips (also called Wonder Clips, they can be found at JoAnn’s Fabrics and online), binder clips, or snap hair clips. Straight pins should be avoided because any time you poke a hole in your PUL fabric, you are poking a hole in the protective barrier. Suggestion: Copy your patterns onto cardboard, so you always maintain the original and you can refresh patterns as needed. (They will change in size a bit after continued use). These were intentionally designed with “straight across” ends for ease in aligning while cutting and while sewing together.

Sewing Instructions: For each pad, cut one layer of PUL fabric and one layer of flannel for outside. (See Note #2) Place right sides of outer PUL and flannel together. Trim, if necessary, so edges align. For padding (flannel or quilt batting), cut 3 layers for Day Pad (smaller) or 4 layers for Night Pad (larger). (See Note #3) Align the padding on the wrong side of the flannel, down the center. Rounded ends of the padding should be trimmed back to 1/2 inch from edge of fabric to avoid too much thickness after turning. Fold the side flaps over each other, to make sure they overlap, to accommodate snaps. If they are not overlapping enough, trim the sides down in size. (This seems to be more of a problem on the Night Pads, causing them to become bunched up and bulky.) Zigzag around edges of padding, back stitching at the beginning/end. Lay flannel with padding down (right side up), place PUL with right side down (laminate side up). Pieces may be clipped together (no pins!). Trim around. With PUL fabric on top, start straight stitching
about 1inch above a side wing, 1/4 inch from edge, around to about 1 inch after the top point, to leave an opening for turning. Check that all layers have been stitched before turning. Trim a bit if needed. After turning, top stitch within 1/8 inch of edge, closing the remaining opening and overlapping beginning and ending stitching. Attach Size #20 plastic snaps on side wings . Metal snaps should not be used due to rusting in humid countries. One side wing will lay over the other wing, to fold around the crotch of panties and be snapped together. Fold the pad in half, with straight ends together. Place the punch tool tip on the inside of the fold, 1/2 inch from the edge. Poke hole through all layers. Place the snap pin side through the hole, add remaining snap part over pin, and crimp together. For remaining wing, start with button/pin side on opposite side of pad. Test the completed snap twice. If problems exist, crimp a little harder. If snaps come apart, use a new snap pin cap and try again (pin probably got bent). NOTE 1: PUL (Polyurethane laminate) is used for the lining of the pad and the waterproof bags. It is available at JoAnn Fabric (Babyville line), Hobby Lobby (only white), and online. NOTE 2: A layer of prewashed quilting cotton may be added to cover up the PUL fabric, particularly if using white PUL. (We know how you quilters/sewers are!) Lay flannel with right side up (padding down), lay cotton right side down, then PUL right side down. Stitch together and finish as before. NOTE 3: If using premium terry cloth for padding, cut 2 layers for small and 3 layers for large. Must be new washed fabric.