Why Reusable?
 
Cloth Pads
About Cloth Pads
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Cloth Pad Washing
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Cloth Pad FAQ
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Where to buy Pads
Pad Fabrics
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Menstrual Cups
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Other Products
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Figuring out Fabrics

 
Backing Fabrics
 This is the part that is optional ... depending on how you make your pads......... It is the bottom most layer of fabric - that goes against your underpants. This can be the waterproofing, or can be over the waterproofing, in the case of PUL, to make a prettier looking pad. You can also combine 2 waterproof fabrics to double the protection, such as a nylon and a fleece. Wingless pads are often made with slip resistant fabric on the back, however in winged pads this is not as essential.
 
Some women like to have a printed top so they can see the print more often, and some women prefer a softer or more natural top, but like to have a print backing to make the pad more interesting. You can simply overlock/serge/zigzag several layers of fabric (such as hemp fleece) together and have no separate top or bottom.
 
Commonly pads are backed with:
 
  • PUL - a cotton print or a plain polyester PUL - This has no additional backing. It doesn't slip around as much as you may think (depending on the particular PUL). the advantage is that without the extra layer of fabric the pad can be thinner and more flexible, but it can also be a little more plain and may shift around a little more than a pad with a slip resistant backing. Snug fitting underpants should keep it in place though.
  • Corduroy - a ridged fabric that can help stop the pad moving around in your underpants. A good choice for wingless pads if you want something natural (Corduroy is a cotton fabric) and that doesn't add much extra thickness.
  • Fleece - helps water proof/resistance and also helps stop the pad moving, but can feel a little hotter and adds thickness to the pad.
  • Cotton - for a pretty look to the pad, using quilting cottons or other pretty prints, about as non-slip as most PUL, but fancier.
  • Flannel/flannelette - for a pretty and/or slip resistant backing. Can be plain or printed.
Some pad makers make their pads to have a printed top and a plain backing, some do theirs the other way around, with the plain top.... (and some pad makers do both ways). Some pads (those without waterproofing) can be worn either side up, but it's important to remember which way up a pad goes that does have waterproofing.... particularly if its a hidden PUL.
 
Other choices can be almost anything. Denim, Brocade, Sherpa... anything you like... Just remember though that the more slippery the backing fabric is, the more likely it is your pad will slip around in your underpants... and a thick backing fabric will add thickness to your pad
 
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