If you are expecting or have a new baby than you may be thinking about making some reusable nursing pads. Disposable nursing pads can easily add up in price and when you take a look at reusable nursing pads I’m sure you’ve thought “Hey I can make that!” This tutorial will help walk you through the steps on how to make your own reusable nursing pads with items you may already have at home.

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Quite often reusable nursing pads are made with PUL fabric but because I live far away from a fabric store that sells this material I tried coming up with my own design with what I had on hand. If you are making your own fabric diapers you may already have PUL fabric on hand. So feel free to swap the top layer of my design for PUL fabric and this will increase the waterproofing of the design.

Absorbant fabric layers

These nursing pads are made with four different layers. The bottom two layers are layers of cotton flannel. I used old flannel bed sheets but you can also buy some new from your local fabric store. Just make sure to wash and dry it at least two times so that it is preshrunk. The next layer is a microfiber terrycloth that I picked up from my local dollar store for 2 for $2. And the top layer is a decorative peice of cotton fabric, you can use a fat square, that I ironed a peice of heat ‘n bond onto. The heat ‘n bond provides some water resistance but does not make it waterproof.

The free template

The free template includes a PDF file as well as an SVG file. You can easily download them by using the sign up form below. Afterwards they will be sent direct to your email.

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The template measures 4.5″ but you can shrink it down to 3.5″ for smaller breasts if you feel they are too large. You can either print the design off on paper with the free pdf file to hand cut. With the free SVG cut file you can use it with your Cricut machine to cut out the layers to get perfect circles.

Thread and stitches

The layers are sewn together using a zig zag stitch. I used my sewing machine but if you have a serger than that would work even better. An important step while sewing is to make sure to use polyester thread. This is because cotton thread will wick up the liquid and cause they pads to leak. While polyester thread will not wick the liquid and leave your pads nice and dry on the outside.

Washing and care

In this tutorial I am using old bedsheets for both the flannel layer and the cotton layer so both have been washed many times and preshrunk. If you are using new fabric you will need to wash and dry it 2-3 times to preshrink it before you cut out your design.

After they nursing pads are complete they are easy to wash. Just throw them in the washing machine and after the dryer.

Amazon shopping list

• Cotton
• Heat n bond red
• microterry cloth
• flannel
• Polyester thread
• sewing machine
• cricut machine
• pink sticky mat
• mini craft iron
• ironing mat
• teflon sheets

Step 1

After you download the free svg cut file open up Cricut Design space and select the “Upload” button.

Step two

On the next page select the “Upload Images” button, then select the downloaded SVG file. You will probably find it in your downloads section. Then select the design in the “Recent Uploads” sections and press the green “Add to Canvas” button on the bottom right.

Step three

Now you will see the design in the canvas. You can duplicate it and cut out as many peices as you want at the same time. But for demonstation purposes I will just do one at a time.

You will need to cut out one layer of cotton, one layer of heat ‘n bond, one layer of microterry fabric, and two layers of flannel.

After you are happy with the design select the green “Make it” button in the top right corner.

Step four

On the prepare page you will see your design displayed where it will cut on the canvas. Now you can rearange it where ever you like.

When you are satisfied select the green “Continue” button in the bottom right corner.

Step five

To cut out the fabric I recommend cutting the fabric to just the size you will be needing for the cut. This will help keep your mat clean and will help to preserve the stickiness. I also recommend using the pink fabric grip mat.

If you do a search in the materials section you will find preset settings for cotton, flannel, and microfibre. I recommend using these presets and using the recommended rotary blade to cut out the fabric.

I found I had to run each fabric through twice. So make sure to check before removing the fabric from the mat if it’s cut all the way through.

Step six

Now you should have 2 layers of flannel, one layer of microfleece terry and a layer of heat n bond.

Now place the heat ‘n bond on the wrong side and place between two sheets of teflon sheets. Set your iron to low and apply the heat ‘n bond.

Make sure to leave the paper on.

Step seven

Fold the two edges of the wedge together and zig zag stitch it shut. Start from the edge and work to the center making sure to back stitch.

Now remove the paper backing. To remove the paper between the stitches you will need something fine like a needle or sharp scissors to carefully pick it out.

Step eight

Now layer the two layers of flannel with the microterry layer underneath.

Overlap the two edges slightly and zig zag stitch them together. Work from the inside so that the curve faces you.

Step nine

Now trim the edge of the inside bundle so that it is just a tiny bit smaller than the outside cotton layer.

Step ten

Now with the cotton layer facing upwards and the flannel/microterry bundle underneath, zig zag stitch along the edge. This way you can see what you are working with and get a nice clean edge. Trim away any loose threads and make sure to back stitch at the begining and end.

All done!

Now your nursing pad is complete! I recommend making many of these because you will feel most comfortable with changing them regularly. You will need at least 12-18 pairs and may change them up to 6 times a day.

To wash them just throw them in the washing machine and afterwards the dryer.

Well I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found the pattern useful. Don’t let my instructions hold back your creativity, make sure to experiment with lots of different fabric combinations and sizes to find the perfect fit for you.

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