Reusable cloth panty liners

After a brief discussion of reusable cloth feminine hygiene pads at our last knit nite, I have been thinking about this concept. I had thought briefly about it years ago but being that I don't like to use pads, I gave up on it without further investigation. I do, however, use panty liners daily, and while their cost is still very inexpensive, I have been trying to re-use and repurpose more around the house, when I can. After some Googling, I came across this site, complete with pattern. Very easy and they're cute as Hell. There are several people on Etsy who are selling some from this very pattern as well as some variations of it. I actually bought one from someone on Etsy before I found Adahy's pattern. I still can't wait to get it. I sat down at my machine today after dreaming of them all night and whipped out seven of them. I have been wearing one all day and I must say they're very comfortable. Here are five of the ones I made today. In case you're wondering, I made the panty liner of the sunflower one out of an old, very soft sheet and the wing portion is 100% cotton. The fire truck print and pink animal print are both cotton flannel. The liner has two layers of fabric, one layer of cotton batting, and one waterproof vinyl layer. The ones I've seen for sale online and on Etsy use PUL (polyurethane laminate) as their water-resistant liner, but since I didn't have any of that, I had to improvise. Oh, and no, I can't feel that button! I figured that I can get 8 of these panty liners out of one yard of fabric. I'll have to look for some PUL here in town. I still won't switch to pads but these panty liners are pretty cool and I'll try using them for awhile.





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Here are some further links for you to check out:
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/padindex.html
http://mypads.wordpress.com/
http://www.goddesspads.com/
http://www.vajpads.com/aboutcloth.php

Update 4/6/08: I was able to find the PUL on eBay and there has been no looking back! I've been experimenting with new styles and methods every day. They're addicting! I must have made about 30 different pads since I started. Mostly great but there have been a couple of lemons. I have found that since I'm on the "fluffy" side, that I prefer an 11" pad rather than the usual 8" liner, which I have adapted for every day use.

I've come across some strong opposition to the whole idea. Basically, 9 out of 10 people are grossed out or repulsed by the idea. See what our society has done to us women? I don't know about them, but I want something soft and breathable next to my coochie. According to many posts I've read, cloth pads cut down on the "eau de poisson" (fishy smell to the non-initiated) and that alone is a great reason to use them. I wish more women knew they walk around smelling like a poissonerie and get with the program. A clean kitty is a happy kitty.