How To Sew Your Own Breast Pads

With baby #3 comes a lot of firsts for me.  Seems weird to say that but I've decided to do a lot of things differently this time around and I'm trying a lot of new products.  One of the new products that I'm trying are reusable breast pads.  I know I want to breast feed as long as possible this time around and since I'm already using cloth diapers and cloth wipes, it only seems natural to use cloth breast pads as well.  What's one more thing to throw in the laundry anyways when I know I'm throwing one less thing in the landfill and making one less trip to the store to re-stock my pads all the time.

So far I've bought a couple brands of breast pads to test out.  Each are made of different materials and the DIY girl in me couldn't resist making my own breast pads made of yet even more different materials to test out.  Of the purchased breast pads I have a wool set, a hemp set, a flannel / velour / hemp set, a PUL / fleece / hemp set, and a wool / bamboo set. I noticed that most DIY breast pads are made from flannel and fleece so I've decided to do a set made with those materials.  The flannel is great for absorption and a great way to express your personality with a fun print.  The fleece is a great moisture resistant material to keep the breast milk from leaking through while still allowing great air flow.  I've also decided to do a flannel / microfiber / fleece set, and a flannel / terrycloth / fleece set.  I'm curious to see which ones work the best.  Now let's get started on our next DIY project... breast pads.

What You Will Need:
- Anti-Pill Fleece
- Flannel
- Inner Fabric (Flannel - 3 layers, Microfiber - 1 layer, or terrycloth - 1 layer)
- 5" Circle Template
- Washable Fabric Marker
- Scissors
- Coordinating or Contrasting Thread
- Sewing Machine or Serger Machine

Step By Step (Flat Breast Pads - 1 pair):

- Using your 5" circle template trace out two circles on your flannel and your fleece.  If you're using flannel for the inner layers then trace out six more circles of flannel.  If you're using microfiber or terrycloth then cut out two more circles of the inner fabric that you've chosen.

- Cut out all of your circles.

- Stack your layers on top of each other.  Fleece goes on the bottom.  The wrong side of the fabric should be facing you.  Place your inner layer next.  If it's microfiber or terrycloth just put one layer.  If it's flannel then put three layers.  Next put your top flannel layer.  The good side of the fabric should be facing you.

- Pin all layers together.

- Sew all layers together.  I like to use a double overlock stitch, but you can use something as simple as a straight stitch paired with a zig zag stitch if you want or a serger if you have one available to you.  Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of your stitch so your stitch won't pull out.

- Trim around the perimeter of the breast pad close to the stitching to clean up the edges.

-Repeat with the second breast pad.

- Voila!  You're done.








Step By Step (Shaped Breast Pads - 1 Pair):

- Using your 5" circle template trace out two circles on your flannel and your fleece.  If you're using flannel for the inner layers then trace out six more circles of flannel.  If you're using microfiber or terrycloth then cut out two more circles of the inner fabric that you've chosen. (See pic above)
- Cut out all of your circles. (See pic above)
- Stack your layers on top of each other.  Fleece goes on the bottom.  The wrong side of the fabric should be facing you.  Place your inner layer next.  If it's microfiber or terrycloth just put one layer.  If it's flannel then put three layers.  Next put your top flannel layer.  The good side of the fabric should be facing you. (See pic above)

- Locate the center of your breast pad and draw a straight line from just off center (about 1/4") to the outside of the breast pad.  Then draw another line to create a pie shape.

- Cut the pie shape out of the breast pad.

- Seperate the fleece from the rest of the breast pad.  Fold it in half so that the wrong side of the fabric is showing on both sides.  Fold the rest of the breast pad in half so that the inner layers of the breast pad are showing on both sides.

- Sew a straight stitch along the pie cut on both the fleece section and the main section of your breast pad.  Trim the edges close to your stitch to clean up the edges and create less bulk.

- Put your layers back together lining up the pie cut seam lines.

- Pin all layers together.
- Sew all layers together.  I like to use a double overlock stitch, but you can use something as simple as a straight stitch if you want or a serger if you have one available to you.  Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of your stitch so your stitch won't pull out. (See pic above)
- Trim around the perimeter of the breast pad close to the stitching to clean up the edges. (See pic above)
-Repeat with the second breast pad.

- Voila!  You're done.

**Make sure you're wearing your breast pads with the flannel next to your breast and the fleece next to your bra**

I hope your breast pads came out great and they make you smile each time you wear them knowing you made them all by yourself.  I did mine in a breast cancer awareness flannel to honor my mom who had breast cancer and fought it.  Be sure to post pictures of your breast pads on my Facebook page so I can see what cute fabrics you picked out too.  Till then check back to see what I've got in store for you next on my Adventures In Fluff.