More reusable cloth pads

I've been experimenting again! I wanted to see why some people love their envelope style/multi-layer pads with the separate soaker inserts. The reason these seem popular is that depending upon your needs you can use the soakers one at a time or doubled/tripled if you need more absorbency. They're supposed to be easier to launder because when you break the pads down, the individual layers dry faster than an AIO, all-in-one, pad, though I've not had this problem with my AIOs. I had to draft a pattern to give me something more angular because, honestly, I'm kinda sick of sewing all those curves! On the up-side, I'm not afraid of curves any more.

Here are four of the pads and soakers that I started sewing last night. I've been reading the posts from the DIY PADS group on Live Journal regarding reusing materials for the soakers and my interest was sparked. I began my experiments with assorted discarded clothes that I have in a bin under my laundry folding table (aka pool table). Since my husband and boys wear all cotton socks and the sock fairy has created many orphans, I started there. Also in my bin were a few T-shirts that I could play around with. I also have some old towels, though still usable, are not very attractive. I have read that old towels are the best kinds of terry cloth, because it seems that the terry cloth you can buy in the fabric stores is on the thin side.

Here is the breakdown of the soakers:

#1:
2 layers flannel
1 sock
1 layer microfleece
This was very bulky, but for a heavy flow, this would feel oddly re-assuring, I think.

#2:
2 layers flannel
2 layers T-shirt
1 layer microfleece
This is nice and thin. Perfect for everyday or a light flow.

#3:
2 layers flannel
4 layers T-shirt
1 layer microfleece
Great as back-up to soaker #2 for a medium to heavy flow.

#4:
1 layer polarfleece
1 layer microfleece
1 layer PUL
Nice and thin for everyday or light days.

#5 & #6
2 layers flannel
1 layer polarfleece
1 layer microfleece
Also thin for everyday or light days.

In all, I've made five of this type of pad and 8 soakers. I think I've got the different levels of absorbency covered. I might still like to try putting a lightly absorbent layer in the main pad as shown in this tutorial.

If these work well for me, I might offer them in my Etsy shop. These cloth pads are just so fun to make but come on, I can only use so many! In fact, I brought five of my AIO pads, both long and short, to knit nite on Monday to share with the ladies. All I want is their feedback.