So my first attempt to make a pantyliner I used this pattern from www.ecomenses.com:
Materials:
Top: scraps of cotton fat quarters
Bottom:1 layer brown polar fleece
Inner: 1 layer of Zorb as these will be back up for menstrual cup (review to come later) and spotting.
Thread: upper; light blue 100% polyester, bobbin thread; brown 100% polyester
Machine: Brother CE8080PRW
This is just a review of the pattern not my actual pad as I am having some issues and have not had a cycle to test it out yet.
So, when I made the first one I tried to use a joining stitch(16 on my machine) with a twin needle for the edges to avoid turn and top stitching. It did not work, not only did I screw it up horribly and it looks terrible (refer to last picture below) right before the last side I broke my twin needle. I finished it off with a single zigzag but I am sure it will not hold up to too many washes. I was very upset that this way did not work I really wanted it to and thought I could pull it off. I did not do well and i should of stopped and ripped it out but I was being a little stubborn. When my needle broke you would of thought a very important heirloom or something broke. Nope just my pride.
My second pantyliner with this pattern came out much better with turn and top stitching. I don't know why I always want to avoid this way because it really does have a nice finish. I think it might be because I am still working on my seams and well, when they aren't straight you really notice them but also I hate to iron. There is a lot more ironing with this way. I think I need to invest in a better iron later on in my sewing journey because my current one isn't the best. Also, lesson I learned don't iron polar fleece my pantyliner now has a nice iron print on it (oops) but not too bad so hoping it still works. The pattern itself is pretty self explanatory and it was super easy to cut out and sew. If you remember not to stitch all your edges and have to rip out an end to turn it right side out ;). I am not a fan of how the pattern does not have seam allowance so before cutting I drew my own 1/4 in. around the pattern. The extra space you see on the outside of the pattern above in the first picture is my own doing. I still think that it isn't wide enough for my panties but i am a voluptuous woman and have bigger undies :).
I also don't like that I had to cut out my own inner pattern but I am pretty sure they want you to cut out all your fabrics the with the same shape and have no difference in layers. I don't like all the bulkiness that creates but will have to try it on a later date with a different inner material. It took me quite some time to get the sizing down with the Zorb layer.
The first pieces that I sewed were the inner material to the top layer. I like to sew a zigzag type stitch right down the middle and join those two pieces together to help with flow direction and fabric staying in place. In my haste (as usual) I forget to reinforce the top part so it might not hold through washes.
Next step I lined up the wrong side of top fabric and the polar fleece and sewed them together, this is where I forgot and kept on going so I had to rip out and end. Then I turned it right side out and folded down the last side (an end) and pinned it. Yes, yes I ironed with all of these steps.
I added Babyville Boutique snaps to the wings for closure. The whole pad took all together about 2 hours. With a toddler and a full-time job it took me a few days haha. I don't think the finished project is all that bad and I think it will do the job to protect from leaking or spotting.
This is a picture comparison of the 2 pads made with this pattern please ignore the grossness of the first attempt :)
The site I got this from has some great resources. Check it out. It has links on the side of the page to help with picking out fabrics to use and how to lay out the pattern to optimize fabric use. Good tips and tricks. Also, lots of different patterns to choose from. Check them out. Either Google ecomenses.com or click either link at the top of my post. Good luck :).
I found this site completely on my own while searching for free patterns and in no way has my opinion been influenced.
