Solace And Savor Musings

I've Moved!

2010-02-18T11:10:00.001-05:00

Hello to all! I've finally moved. I can not be found here. Just click on the blog tab at the top. The website is under construction so be patient with me. I look forward to being able to do so much more with the new platform, I'll hope you'll follow me over!

Much love!
Anne

coming soon!

2010-01-25T06:43:00.001-05:00

Patterns and updates coming soon.... I promise!

Update!

2009-10-19T14:20:00.003-04:00

My son just turned 3 months old. It feels like forever and yesterday since that timeless morning I first held him. It feels like a lifetime of moments, thoughts and discoveries that we’ve made together. Those of you who’ve stumbled onto this blog may have noticed that I’ve had a close-out sale in my online store. I want to share what’s going on with the store and explain a bit about where it’s going and what’s happening to it. Before my son was born I thought I would try to focus even more on the sales in my store, hoping to create a stay-at-home life for us that would also allow us to live and take care of some costly repairs to our house and cars that are becoming more pressing and less comical as the months go along. My son seems to be a passionately attentive cuddle monkey, and my time to accomplish things seems destined to be focused on the occasional bathroom break and what can be done in a chair. My moving around, cutting, pattern-making and sewing time doesn’t seem to fit into our lives as I thought it might. But more than that I’ve been thinking these past months about something in particular, FOCUS.

I’d like to go into the name of this project, SOLACE AND SAVOR… Several years ago I thought about selling lotions that I made, as well as scented eco-friendly cleaning products that I used. My purpose in making these, and my purpose in selling them was my extreme desire to FIND SOLACE, and SAVOR life. In other words, to focus on the now, focus on the moment, and live completely, sensuously and powerfully in everything I did. In this sometimes stressful and busy world I think that is a key toward finding peace and happiness. My idea molded over the years as I focused on one product which was the most fun to make and share with people. But my point is that FOCUS was the reason I first conceived of this idea. It was the ability to focus on each moment that made me want these products and this project to be a part of my life. Only for now I find that continuing the project make it more difficult for me to FOCUS on the moment, find SOLACE and SAVOR LIFE. I can focus on one project besides my son, but not many, so for now this endeavor is on hold while I focus on something that needs my attention more.

However, if anyone wants a set, or has a special request for pads or products, feel free to contact me through here or etsy, as I may be able to help you out. In the meantime I have plans for this blog! We’ll see how it goes.

So – in the near future I hope to share more writing, some FREE PATTERNS!, tips and ideas that I’ve come across, so if you’d like, you can continue following the blog even as the store remains dormant.

Thank you to all and I hope the Fall leaves you with beautiful memories.

Babymoon

2009-06-15T09:38:00.005-04:00

I'm going to have a bit of a vacation from the shop and give myself a babymoon when the baby comes! For probably most of the month of July I'll have the shop on vacation, and won't be responding to convos and e-mails. When I'm back up and running I'll let you know in the shop and the blog. The baby hasn't given me an exact ETA, but if I'm missing it's probably because I'm enjoying my "baby"-moon!

In the meantime I'm going to keep the shop plenty stocked so that anything you need you can get before them. As long as the shop is active I'll be able to answer any questions you have, and if you go to the shop one day and it's not showing any listings and the "on vacation" banner is up - you know I'm getting ready for baby!

Thank you to everyone and I hope you have a lovely July 4th and midsummer!

TIPS: Storage and Wetbags

2009-06-15T09:34:00.001-04:00

I’ve found many people who are curious about how other women store their cloth pads, and what kind of wetbag or travel bag they use. It’s something I think some people are shy to ask about, but SO many are curious! So here are some of the answers I’ve heard and ideas I’ve had.

For Storage:
- Basket in bathroom. I know some like to display their pretty pads! And an open basket in the bathroom seems pretty common.
- In drawers in bathroom or with clothes
- In a small covered separate container
- In a cloth bag hanging in the bathroom or on the doorknob
- Medicine cabinet or under sink in a basket or container

I’ve always thought it would be fun to use a really fun little vintage suitcase to store them, just because I think these bags are so funky and cute sometimes! (And cheap in a thrift store…)

I use a little train case made of covered wood with a handle and buckle on it. It sits on a tiny shelf right in the bathroom. For extras I use a small Rubbermaid bin that I superglued pretty fabric into to make it pretty and discreet.

For Wetbags:
- Many people buy little wetbags specifically designed for cloth pads. I make one that’s a little different from many because I found I wanted separate little wetbags inside and a bag that didn’t look like a makeup or pad bag.
- There are MANY other great bags on etsy and other sites as well.
- Some people use a make-up bag they already have. You can use a little ziplock bag inside of it to make it waterproof.

Everyone’s different, and some people like different styles, different ideas or have different needs when it comes to storage. I’m fortunate now in that I don’t everyday have to be outside of the house for 10 or more hours a day, which I know is the norm for many, so my little wetbag that I use, to be honest, mostly just sits in my purse just in case!

Let me know if you have any other fantastic ideas you’d like to add!

A Special Thank You To My Customers

2009-05-11T16:40:00.002-04:00

I opened my shop last summer, and now I’ve just opened another! I sew all the time, I think about etsy all the time, I imagine new ways of giving back or finding places to donate, I dream up great big projects I might undertake to try to make more of a difference, I search for great fabrics, I try out new patterns, I try to communicate about cloth as much as possible, and in general put a great deal of myself into this little adventure. It’s mostly because it’s so rewarding. It’s also because when you’re even a little passionate about something you naturally spend time thinking and exploring it anyway! But it’s also because this little shop is my way of connecting to a greater community and trying to get enough supplies, material and time to donate and give back as much as I can.

To be honest, with my family growing I have questioned whether I should or could continue to keep the shop open. I have a hard time stepping away from it, because with it open I feel committed to thinking and working at it. But in reality it doesn’t financially contribute to our lives, and I have been questioning whether the energy I put into it is useful for my family and house. I could certainly put the same energy into something else and financially be in a safer position. But finances don’t really have anything to do with why I opened the shop or why I keep it open. It’s a venture, an adventure, a way of creating what I hope to be a beginning. A beginning of things I don’t necessarily know or understand yet, but exploring things that I hope will lead me to my future, whatever it might be. And so to my customers, I would like to extend an enormous thank you. And to readers of this blog, if there are any of you out there, I want to say how profoundly I appreciate it. Whenever I begin to think of scaling back and closing the shop I always get an e-mail or begin contact with someone that makes me feel incredibly privileged to be able to do this, and incredibly satisfied by the energy I put into it.

Life can be a struggle. Financially life can be so difficult for so many, as I know it is right now, that it can seem to take priority. It takes over how you make your decisions, what you decide to do, what you decide to buy, choices you make for yourself and your family. It’s a reality that cannot be denied. But it also cannot take precedence over integrity or everything else that is more important to you. Some kind of authority over your own life, your own decisions has to be retained. And so in this way I suppose finances do have to do with why I first began this adventure. I think by honoring the little things in life you are giving yourself moments that are sacred, without needing the money or time to explore a far away place or vacation in a peaceful location. Instead you can begin to carry that peace inside of you. I started making my own pads because I wanted to retrieve this part of my body, my cycle and my life. I wanted to claim ownership over my health and happiness and feel creative and artistic in how I dealt with this monthly part of life. And in this way it became something sacred, beautiful and profoundly reassuring to me. Then I wanted to spread it around! I also wanted to try to give back to people who couldn’t do this same thing for themselves. Now I hope that this little shop can further help me to live my life intentionally by helping me support my family a little more, while I raise my child or children from home. There are so many aspects of living that with less money and more time can be accomplished, even if it’s not always convenient! This is how I hope to be able to raise my baby as well, appreciating the beauty and difficulty around me.

So again thank you to my customers who, without knowing it, help me to stay on this path to pursue this kind of life and be there for my family and myself. While it’s a struggle sometimes, it honors the creativity of a handmade and homemade life. And that is absolutely invaluable to me. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

New Postings

2009-05-08T10:10:00.004-04:00

Full Moon Set is Up!

Here's the link

And the other shop is almost stocked! Here's some peaks...

Find It Here!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!

2009-04-22T08:10:00.005-04:00

Happy Earth Day to everyone! It's also nearly 1 year since I opened my store on etsy. It's been such a great year and I've loved spreading some of my pads out into the world. I'm very grateful to all my customers and those that have visited the shop. It has been a challenging year and an incredibly fun one. I plan on expanding some things in the shop, and I look forward to the coming year!

This year I plan on offering Economy Panty Liners. A new panty-liner design that I've worked out which is thinner than my current design. It's not quite as "finished off" but because it's so much simpler to sew and made with a bit less material I should be able to offer sets for a very affordable price, letting people get a stash of liners to use without a large front cost.

I also plan on working out a further donation system. But in the meantime every month the Full Moon Gift Set will still the be offered. Remember if you have a charity you work for - you can always purchase the Full Moon set as a gift to wherever you'd like, until I have a set donation organization set up.

This year I'm also going to expand the Organic Line! This is what started me making my own cloth pads, and I'm determined to offer a comprehensive line at an affordable price. I think the price of organics compared to regular pads (which come in all the cute prints and colors) makes it hard for many to justify the expense of the organics. I will be changing the design just a little to better match my regular pads in thickness and weight, and will be working on ways to offer hand-dyed pads as well.

Also - I'm happy to announce the almost launch of my Second Etsy Store! Nourishments is my new store which will have eco-friendly wares for families or individuals. Many of them will be kitchen or food related, some cleaning related. Along with it I'm developing my blog with vegetarian recipes (new ones to be posted every friday) as well as newsletters that you can subscribe to. Look for great developments at that shop over the summer.
You can find it at http://www.nourishments.etsy.com.

And... you may be seing velour topped pads in the shop soon... yes, I've finally found the love of velour!

Again, thank you thank you thank you to all who have been a part of my first year, I'm very grateful for all of you and I look forward to continuing in the next and beyond!

TIPS: Discreet Drying

2009-04-20T13:38:00.005-04:00

I had a great customer tell me months ago about a tip she'd discovered. For those that like to line dry, sometimes it can be difficult. If it's winter, or even summer, some people don't feel comfortable hanging their pads from the back of the dining chairs to dry! This was her brilliant sollution...

Using clothespins and pinning to hangars, the hangers can then be put in the closet, or on the shower rod, or anywhere you can think of. The hangars also provide far more room to spread out the pads so they dry quickly.

New Lives and New Spaces

2009-04-09T11:55:00.005-04:00

Sometimes it seems like life shifts, moves and shimmies in condensed little periods of time. Like little earthquakes that come out of your soul and cause rippling waves of effects all around you. This winter has been a season of changes, the results of which are just beginning to emerge, just as the green of grass is finally this week emerging from under such impenetrable snow. We’re expecting a new life. We’re welcoming a child into our home. This little creature inside me feels like more of a whole personality every day as its sleep patterns begin to effect my own. It seems to like listening to guitar and male voices sing, as well as news broadcasts, and loves baths. But the eccentricities of what this new life will bring to mine I know I can only begin to fathom. But nevertheless, ready or not, in July will be the start of a whole new beginning.

This house we call home is in a constant state of shifting, each season we go through within it has its own effect, allowing us to notice certain things about it that we either like, don’t like, or directly need to fix. It is far from perfect and enormously flawed, as only a truly known house can be. We’ll get to things when we get to them, we’ll fix things when we fix them, and life just has to keep happening within it in the meantime. Over the past several months I’ve been pushing and pulling this house, little bits at a time, so that it will support this new little life coming into it, as well as our changing needs. One thing that needed a drastic shift – my entire workspace. I used to sort of have three workspaces, one for writing and creative thinking, one for sewing and one for storage. This wasn’t always convenient, but I loved the privacy of my little upstairs alcove where most of the writing, sewing and creating happened. But to make room for the baby we had to move part of my closet and my partner’s office. To make room for his office we had to move part of my sewing area. To make room for the sewing area I would have had to get rid of my desk and writing area, etc… etc… etc… So starting from scratch we moved everything into one room with the storage area. Everything is in one area, which is convenient. There are large windows that I love. And never did I think in my life I would have a whole room devoted to my work and creative pursuits regarding this “work”. I love that it’s a room of my own, and that there’s a tree outside (which might be dead, hope with me it can stay up… ). Scouring our barn I found a way to make a work table and sewing table out an old railing, discarded plywood and a new 6 dollar topper. I found some random chairs, stools, posters, lamps and made myself a workspace.

It’s peaceful, and it’s green, my favorite color. I do miss my private little alcove upstairs where I would sew while looking down at the street and field below. But I’ve found over the past years that most spaces when new, make you long for a space that you either dream about or remember. Every day I spend in here working, planning and creating things for others to use makes me connect to this space. Every day I am more comfortable, finding out what part of day has the best light to take pictures. Finding out where exactly I’ll put all the little things, and building up memories and expectations of all the other changes I know are to come.

Cloth in the News

2009-04-09T11:43:00.002-04:00

"Reusable sanitary pads: An alternative for the rural poor"
from the Daily Monitor

This brief article talks about the new effort, entitled "Afri-Pads" that a young couple from Canada are undertaking. They are teaching a small community in Africa how to make their own pads for girls to use. This enables the girls to continue their education, rather than dropping out or staying home when they have their periods.

I LOVE that this kind of effort will provide, hopefully, a more sustainable way of helping in that the community is being given a beginning, an idea, that will enable them to help themselves. This way they won't rely on continuing donations from people overseas. I have heard about this effort and will keep my eye open for any news ways to help them out.

Spring is coming, and lots of activity...

2009-04-08T11:38:00.002-04:00

Winter is beginning to break. And I am beginning to emerge from it.

Other growth is happening...

And the dog is ready too...

Sidetracked by Crochet and Etsy friends!

2009-03-17T11:37:00.007-04:00

I've recently been sidetracked by some serious crocheting, which is one reason I haven't posted quite as new patterns/prints in the etsy shop, and why I'm a bit behind planning and launching my new organic pads. The excuse for my crochet sidetrack? I'm pregnant with my first, due in July. The long winter months were just too perfect to get some things made before spring hit and I was called outside by the garden. I'm planning on cloth diapering, and have made most of the diapers I'll need, but I wanted to make some wool "soakers" or covers. The idea of wool really appeals to me, it's a natural fiber, it breathes well, and I feel like it's a great solution to easy clothes in the cooler Maine climate.

I researched online and have been sewing covers from upcycled wool sweaters I've picked up here and there at thrift stores. I've also been crocheting! Months ago, before I was pregnant, I purchased the Ladybugz soaker pattern to make something for a friend. Now I've been using it to make things for my little one, and each time I use the pattern it seems to come out a little better. Some people don't like to pay money for patterns, but I've always appreciated the time and practice that I know go into making a pattern perfect, and I feel like I need all the help I can get at accomplishing something that's quick and functional! This pattern is great. I really like the ease as it comes together, and the fit seems like it will be great. Once I have a real baby to try them on I can adjust my sizes, but in the meantime this pattern is working great for me! You can access her etsy shop here. Here is a picture of one little soaker I made, and one pair of longies I made. This isn't from her pattern, but as I was crocheting I realized I could extend the legs a bit to try to make a pair of longies. She has a couple other great patterns for longies also!

And here's a couple other recycled longies I've made in bigger sizes from old sweaters, these are so fast and easy, perfect when I don't have much time or energy but want to feel productive!

On Wellness and Sunshine - some personal thoughts

2009-03-17T11:27:00.000-04:00

A lot of my life is set firmly upon the idea that I’ve found my home. Maybe I won’t live in this house for my whole life, but this area, this state, this climate and community are the home that I searched for and have rooted myself into deeply. But every February comes along, with its bleakness and hopelessness, like a chest cold you thought was over, only to linger for a couple extra weeks. Winter in Maine is long. It’s long and consistent, a sign of its character. In Colorado, where I grew up, the climate was a fast mover, a fickle friend. The weather was severe, cold, snowy, windy, but sometimes in the middle of winter you’d have a bright sunny day, when you only needed a sweatshirt outside, and any remaining snow is long gone by noon. Maine is more dependable than that. Most of the time February comes along, and you wonder if you’ll ever see the ground again, if it will ever rise above freezing, and if you’ll ever remember why you love this place so much.

I like shoveling snow (and it’s a good thing I do), I like cold weather more than hot, and the beauty of a clear winter day still strikes me, when I wonder if the sky has ever looked more blue. But come the middle of February even that beauty begins to fade, and my eyes search out green wherever they go. Movies or photos of spring or summer seem like chocolate cake or a Cinnabon for a super strict dieter. There, and full of goodness, but almost sinister in their inaccessibility. And come this time of year, my bleak attitude finally arises and I wonder again why I love this place so much, and why I want to stay.

This past weekend I had a bad chest cold. I had a bad chest cold, and while growingly pregnant didn’t have the privilege of good sleep or pharmaceuticals (which I’m not a fan of anyway, but seriously sometimes a girl just needs a bit of NyQuil). I was feeling growingly pouty and perhaps even slightly despondent. Then we had one of those miracles that happen this time of year and restore all sense of rightness and sanity. A truly, truly, sunny day. I sat at the kitchen table, curtains as open as I could get them, drinking hot tea and eating hashbrowns, and pointed my chest toward the sun. The warmth hit my chest and burned it, simmering it, feeling like it melted my pessimism like it melts the layer of ice on the top of all the snowbanks. It warmed my chest enough to make me feel better, my cough getting lighter, my body finally feeling that thing long absent since the fall, warmth. On days like these I begin to remember why I love it here so much. I love it because the first sign of mud, on a sunny day, hidden for months under layers of ice and snow, brings adults the same joy as it did everyone when they were kids and got to play with it. I love it because absence does make the heart grow fonder, and I would never appreciate the spring as much if I lived somewhere I could take it for granted. I love it because it is real. Life can sometimes be difficult, it just can, and getting through those stretches of difficulty, like the endlessness of winter in February in Maine, allows an appreciation and recognition of beauty when it is finished that I would never have without the challenges that came before it.

Where are the organics?

2009-01-18T19:58:00.002-05:00

Currently my shop has very few organic pads in stock. It has always been my intention to carry as many organic pads as possible, because I believe the health of organics for ourselves and the earth is far superior. Well, THEY'LL BE BACK! I am redesigning my organic pads. I am focusing and figuring and drafting designs and plans to offer the best organic pads possible for the most affordable price possible. I am going to investigate hand-dying larger batches to make them as affordable as possible, to make great organic pads available to anyone who wants them. Hopefully by summer I'll have something steady to add, but I think in the long run figuring out the best way to offer these pads is worth the time and effort.

So I'll keep updating the blog with any new advances, and maybe at some point I'll have pads ready to test out. In the meantime if you have any questions or suggestions or requests feel free to contact me.

my lastest crafting obsession

2008-11-01T16:34:00.012-04:00

Lately I've been unraveling! Sweaters, that is. I love how soothing sitting and crocheting, or sewing, or knitting can be. Making something by hand that takes time, and taking the time it takes to make it can give you the rest and quiet you need. And when you're done you have a gift for yourself or someone else that carries meaning beyond anything you could buy in a big store, filled with shiny goods from far away. But sometimes I need to rest my mind so badly that even following a crochet pattern seems too challenging. Sometimes you really need to unravel. At the same time I am always ogling gorgeous yarns that are organic, natural fibers, brilliant colors, and usually very expensive. Well, I've found a new, strangely fulfilling pasttime. Recycling sweaters!

Bamboo or no Bamboo

2008-10-02T07:43:00.003-04:00

I have been interested in adding and developing two other choices in pads.

1) I've been trying to set up a system that would let me hand dye 100% organic cotton made and farmed in the US. And I've been trying to keep these affordable. I'm almost there - so by spring hopefully you'll see these in the shop.

2) Offering a hemp free version of my pads that is still as trim. Hemp is a really great material to use, so versatile, naturally anti-bacterial and very trim. I only wish I could get it from the US, unfortunately it isn't grown here. I've been looking toward Bamboo as a replacement to offer to people. I've used bamboo in the past. It can be very soft. But for Pad purposes I found it takes longer to dry. I've also had concerns about trying to find as local a supplier as possible, and wondering how it's produced. Here's a great article that came out today that talks about some of my concerns.

http://craftingagreenworld.com/2008/10/01/fabulous-fabrics-why-bamboo-often-isnt/#more-770

I'll keep looking and hopefully offer hemp free pads in the spring as well. Of course my organic cotton pads are always hemp free.

Crafting a Green World is a great website as well. They seem to cover a little bit of everything. They give great ideas for crafting, great resources for crafting, and occasionally articles like this which discuss some important information about the real "green"ness of what we're using.

Cloth Pads in the News

2008-09-27T20:51:00.002-04:00

An Interesting little article I found. It re-inforces to me the importance of the great organization Goods4Girls. So far, through generous donations of materials from fabulous customers we've donated more than 100 pads to them!!! I'm hoping to donate many more through the holiday spirit.

This article is not about Goods4Girls, but is written about another small organization that was founded to help these girls finish school and take care of their menses. It's inspiring to read. I'd never found the source website before, so I don't yet know much about it. But reading this little article again is so helpful at putting things into perspective for me. Whatever daily tribulations I have right now seem like tiny speedbumps and definitely not mountains.

http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143995773&cid=499

Why cloth during these times

2008-09-23T13:55:00.005-04:00

There has been so much talk of the economy lately, particularly in the US media. With this talk is a great deal of fear that it can create. Our economy is so vital to our “modern life” that when it is at risk it can feel like our very survival is at risk. And in some ways it is. But the ability to be self sufficient, I think, especially in times like these, gives a person confidence. And this reminds me of another great reason to use cloth reusables. Cloth menstrual pads, family cloth, cloth diapers, cloth napkins, or anything else that you own and reuse, and don’t throw away... all these things help sustain your way of life by making it unnecessary each month to come up with more money to buy new products that are made out of chemicals and trees. This is a small choice, a small way of living, that creates a more sustainable way of life. But it is not just sustainable for the earth. It is sustainable for every woman using cloth, every family using cloth, and every household that takes less and throws away less. And in times like these, when things are tough, when conversations and possibilities might even be scary, it’s these small decisions which can ground you back into your life. It’s these small decisions that can reinforce your life as being sustainable, as being strong, and give you confidence to sustain the powerful winds of change.

Etsy Friends

2008-09-09T14:26:00.005-04:00

I put together a treasury, including some of my favorite etsy friends... We all need bright colors sometimes!

to visit go to http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=6380

To Travel, or Not To Travel

2008-09-03T12:31:00.005-04:00

Recently I was away for over a week, and knew I would need pads while I was there. I've also run across a lot of women in similar predicaments, and a lot of families who use cloth diapers who are in the same predicament. And the question is...

To travel with cloth, or take disposables.

Leaving the house for a full day, working long hours or being very busy doesn't have to stand in the way of using cloth reusables for anything, as long as you have a routine set up that makes it easy to wash and care for things once you get home. But what if you're going away for a long time. How do you deal with the washing machine, or lack thereof. How do you deal with privacy, how do you keep this same routine in a completely different location. You might be staying in a full house with a new fancy washing machine, but maybe you have to worry about other people that are there and what they'll think or say. Or you might be staying in a tiny hotel room with little space and no washing machine.

Is it possible to travel with cloth, and never use a disposables for the rest of your life. Absolutely! But using cloth reusables, for whatever you use them for, is supposed to add to your life, not just save the earth. So you have to do what works for you. If you choose to bring cloth and try to use it, here are a couple tips I've picked up along the way.

-Dry bag it. If you are able to wash every other day, if you normally use a soak pot, it may be easier to just use a dry pail.
- If you don't have a washing machine I've heard of women washing dipes or pads in their bath water when they're done, or putting them on the floor of the tub while they shower, and use their feet to squish them and get them clean like you're stomping grapes.
- Other people. If you're worried about what other people will think, or if they think it's gross, just know that it's not. You can be respectful of someone else being uncomfortable with something and still stand up for yourself and this choice you've made to use cloth. If it comes up just try to have a conversation about it. Or, use a dry bag, an opaque PUL wetbag, and be discreet and nobody will ever know. You can wash things in a big mesh bag to keep things together and discreet in the washer and dryer.
- and finally... Relax and have fun! If you use disposables for a week, you are not sabotoging your skin or the earth. You have to do what's right for you. And if you choose to use cloth and you either get more staining, or have to use a different detergent, most of the times it will all work out in the end.

I took my week and used it as a sort of experiment. I hadn't used disposables in over a year, and found that using a couple didn't cause me anguish like I thought it might. And using cloth, really, wasn't that difficult either. It slowed me down and made me aware of this routine, which made me feel more at home at this new strange place. And after a couple days I did relax, just did what felt right, and had a good time.

Cloth Reusables in the news

2008-08-30T15:00:00.004-04:00

I always love when I come across an article about cloth reusables. Cloth diapers seem to be having a comeback, so articles can be found, blogs are plentiful and there's a growing feeling of support for those parents who choose to go cloth. But Cloth Menstrual Pads and Family Cloth (cloth tp) I rarely come across in any kind of mainstream media. So when I find a link I might start sharing them here!

It's good to see articles out there. It lets people find out about these options who might otherwise never think of such a thing. But I think it also helps all of us who are interested in these things feel a greater sense of community and understanding.

So here's the latest link! I'm pretty sure I saw this same post in an Aussie online paper, and now today it's in Vermont!

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080830/FEATURES05/808300314/1016/FEATURES05

Upcycled Pads Begin

2008-08-28T15:08:00.001-04:00

I've had so much fun putting these pads together. There are two more styles coming soon, one a solid jersey pad, and another flannel print pad. But this cute set of two are my first, from completely repurposed materials! I feel great about this because as I've sewn more and more, with my intention to save so many disposables from ending up in landfills, I've worried about using so many materials. And while I try to get the most sustainably produced materials, sometimes economics comes into play. I feel like a cloth pad is still better than disposable, so even if I can't create the perfect cloth pad, with no chemicals used and produced down the street, it's still better to provide reusable pads than to not make them at all.

But these upcycled pads are great. I tried to find materials that were very good quality, 100% cotton, but also mismatched. I didn't want to buy a perfect matching set of sheets from Goodwill, because they could still be used as great sheets! But slowly I gathered enough materials to get started. A small cot sized top sheet was used to make these pads. The flannel was all cotton, the texture was comfy and smooth, but the edges around it weren't sewn well, and I thought it probably would end up left abandoned there for a long time. And, it had cute suns and stars on it! So I took it and turned it into these!

I will of course continue to carry mostly pads made from new materials, and hopefully more and more organic options. I'm working on dying my own organic fabric to use, but this will have to wait until a few other life projects are complete. I'm also toying with the idea of putting together an unbleached organic set - with some kind of kit that you could dye it yourself! Let me know if you'd like this idea, and I'll keep brainstorming!

Solace & Savor Cloth Pad Instructions

2008-08-28T15:03:00.000-04:00

I finally found a way to save the pdf for my instructions as a pic to post! Here is is for reference, if you loose yours, or if you need more info about how they work before you buy! Click on the picture if you want to read the words, and it should expand so you can easily read it. If you'd prefer a more easily printable version, e-mail me and I'll send you the pdf. Every purchase includes these same instructions.

New Category Coming!

2008-08-24T15:03:00.001-04:00

Stay tuned next week for some Upcycled Pads!

I've been wanting to make and post some of these forever and I finally found some fabric I was happy with!

Solace and Savor Cloth Menstrual Pad info

2008-08-23T22:14:00.000-04:00

My pad design is very unique, and some people have questions! Here's info about my cloth pad design, for those who might have stumbled upon this sight without having found this info before... Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

The Design:
For months after I decided I wanted to try cloth for myself I tried others, I made some like others I found, and while I enjoyed the choice I’d made to use cloth, I wasn’t happy with the ease of use. I wanted to go cloth, but let’s face it, I was used to the convenience of modern, leak proof, disposable products.

I worked for months coming up with a new design that did everything I wanted. I came up with an ADJUSTABLE ALL-IN-TWO with a breathable moisture barrier to avoid leaking and staining.

Materials:
COTTON FLANNEL. I’ve found this to be the most comfortable. It also grips the panty better than other fabrics and helps keep the pad from sliding around. Quality Flannel will last for years, and some thin regular cotton material can disintegrate much faster!
One HEMP/COTTON FLEECE liner is sewn into the pad. I always wanted at least one, and this makes the pad easier to use and sturdier when laundered (it holds its shape better than basic holders, and is easier and quicker to launder (and more adjustable) than All-In-Ones.
Moisture Barrier Liner: A non-wicking moisture barrier made of POLYESTER FLEECE where you need it most, in the middle of the pad. This also doubles as a secure liner holder for adding however many extra liners as you’d like. I’ve never needed more than 2, but 3 can fit. The fleece is breathable, but gives a little extra protection should you need to leave your pad in for longer than you’d like. (We all have busy lives, don’t we!)

New Designs are Up!

2008-07-26T09:49:00.001-04:00

A new SUPER absorbant nighttime or postpartem pad. For extra super duper assurance at night, designed for both side and back sleepers.
And a new panty liner design, thanks to a wonderful customer's suggestion! Stay tuned for many new colors, designs and sets.

Pad Set Sale

2008-07-25T08:01:00.000-04:00

Free shipping on all pad sets this weekend!

Cloth Pad FAQ

2008-07-12T10:39:00.000-04:00

Hello! Here is a list of frequently asked questions. I may change or add to it, and if you have anything to change or add, let me know!

How do I wash them?
This is partly personal preference, and it depends on what your washing routine is. Many people put their pads in a soaking pot during their cycle. You should change the water daily. This keeps most stains from forming, and also means you don’t really have to wash anything until the end of your cycle, or once a week or so. For those that either don’t have enough pads to wait that long, are already washing cloth diapers, or who don’t want to use a soaking pot, you can wash normally, as you would any towels for example. A couple tips –
• Hot water will set blood stains. You may want to rinse in cold water, wash in cold water or soak in cold water, especially if you want to avoid stains.
• Don’t use bleach or fabric softener, as these things will make your pads less absorbent over time. Actually, you usually don’t want to use much “soap” at all. These can build up oil residues on the fibers in cloth and make them less absorbent. You can check out my post about stripping fabric, or check out the washing links on the right to see some great eco-friendly laundry products that I’ve used or heard good things about.
• Baking Soda can help with washing, smells, and can be added to soak water. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleach that can be used on light colored pads.

Are they comfortable?
Again, this is personal preference, but I think it also depends on what you’re used to. They are thicker than the new “ultra-thin” disposable pads out there. They are softer than the plasticy pads that are everywhere. If you hate pads and use tampons, you may look at the keeper or diva-cup instead. I will say one thing, though. Which would you find more comfortable. Plastic and paper underwear? Or some kind of soft cloth underwear? It’s pretty much the same thing with pads. At first you may not be as comfortable, because you are SO used to using something else. Give it a couple days, or one full cycle. I haven’t heard of anyone who used cloth who didn’t say at one point they didn’t think they would ever be able to use disposables again, because once they were used to it cloth was so much more comfortable.

Do they feel wet? What about clots?
I think this depends a bit on what kind of fabric you use. One reason I almost exclusively use flannel topped pads in that the way the flannel fibers are kind of fleeced out seems to wick moisture away from the skin. I feel drier with cloth than disposables. Clots seem to do the same thing with fabric as disposables. As long as you have a good absorbent fabric. (of all my testing cotton and hemp are my favorite) the fabric will quickly absorb whatever falls onto it. If it’s not, you may need to strip your pads of the excess soap oils, as described in another post.

What kind of fabric?
This is personal preference… Absorbent fabrics are cottons, hemp blends or bamboo. There are also microfiber fabrics that are growing in popularity. I don’t like these, personally, because I prefer the natural fibers, and I find the microfibers wash up a bit funny and tend to carry odor. But a microfiber insert can also be very thin, which may be your priority. (I think hemp can be as thin, though). I love bamboo, but I’ve found it takes the longest to dry. Organics are fabulous if you want, if you can afford them, and often if you don’t mind a little staining because true organic pads are often natural or unbleached.

Do I need waterproofing? What kind of waterproofing?
This is personal preference. A pad that’s absorbent enough shouldn’t leek. But a pad with a PUL layer gives you that extra confidence. This was one of the main concerns I had when I designed my pad, because I had problems with both these kinds of pads. While a pad without any waterproofing shouldn’t leek, it is the nature of natural fibers to wick moisture – or soak it up. (Like I was talking about with the flannel as a topper). So I found with no moisture barrier at all I had to change the pad a lot. However, I personally don’t like PUL, unless you really need that extra protection. I don’t like the way it feels, and even though it’s breathable it still felt like it blocked air, and I didn’t feel as dry, even though I was protected from leaks! So I designed a pad that had moisture protection, but was still completely breathable. They aren’t leak proof, but they keep the moisture from being pulled out of the pad and onto your pants. If even a small amount of moisture has gotten close you going through, if you’re wearing cotton underpants, the cotton will pull the moisture further. With a thin polyester fleece backing in the section of the pad where leaks usually happen, the moisture isn’t pulled through it (polyester isn’t absorbant), and will only leak if fully saturated.

How many do I need?
I usually say a dozen, but many people start with between 6 to 10. It depends on how often you change them, and how often you wash. If you’re just starting out I would say try to get yourself at least 6.

Is this really worth the money?
I know this is a hard question. If your money is really tight right now, paying the amount of money to start up with pads seems impossible. This is the boat I was in when I started making my own. There are some great free patterns out there. And I loved this one woman’s website http://www.diapersewing.com/. She has a whole page on how to make pads similar to one of the most popular brands. If you can’t afford to buy pads, don’t sew and like mine, check out my etsy store every Full Moon, as I offer a special gift set for those of you in the same boat I was in.

However, even if money is tight I think it is worth it. It definitely saves you money in the long run. But it also means you don’t have to worry about buying disposables every month. Once you have enough of a stash, if your cycle comes and money is really tight that week, you don’t need to worry about affording pads! Or affording the gas to get to the store! Especially if you’ve been using chlorine-free pads which can be quite expensive! (If you’re also looking for other ways to save money, and are up for it, check out family wipes, or family cloth. I’ll post more about this later, but women…cause we use more tp… can save a bunch by switching from disposable tp.) If you're concerned about energy costs in washing, I wash mine with the towels, and line dry (fluff in dryer for 2-5 minutes). I honestly don't think I even do more laundry than normal. They are so small they fit perfect in one load with the towels for the week.

Isn’t this just gross?
Well, no. I think it’s one of those things that can sound gross until you try it, and then you realize it’s really not.

Can I still travel or work outside the home? Or is this just something I can do while I’m at home?
Absolutely you can travel or do this outside your home! Get yourself a good little wetbag or carrybag (I’ve got some in the shop, or if you prefer a zippered pouch there are many other great ones on Etsy). I used to just use a little hemp zippered pouch that I bought at our local co-op, with a ziploc bag inside it. One folded pad fit perfect. And a plus is that in public bathrooms you no longer have to worry about making that notorious unwrapping sound of the plastic and paper peeling off your disposble!

Does it smell?
Not really. I’ve found that by using natural fibers, and no PUL I never notice any smell. Using PUL I think doesn’t let the heat of your body escape through the pad, making the pad hotter and making it smell a bit. If your laundry bag or soak pot isn’t smelling as fresh as you’d like, you may need to change the water more frequently or add baking soda. I’ve found Bi-O-kleen's BAC-OUT to be a great product, for adding to soak water and the washer when I wash the pads. It naturally fights bacteria (which cause the smelly stuff) and it smells really nice. One of my tricks if you’re worried about your carry bag smelling, is to put a couple drops of your favorite essential oil onto a business card and slide the business card in the pouch.

Fabric to be donated for MORE DONATIONS!

2008-06-26T15:05:00.000-04:00

The Limerock Inn is going to help by donating their used linens! I'll use these to refurbish them into cloth pads for Goods4Girls and cloth diapers for some other organizations, like Miracle Diapers, as well as low-income families in my area! BuzzieBee Diapers, a great family run diaper service in town has extensive experience meeting the needs of cloth diapering families in my area. I'm going to team up with them to start a donation collection for low income families in my area to use cloth diapers, who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford the initial setup.

THANKS Limerock Inn and Buzzie Bee Diapers!

Upcoming...

2008-06-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

POLKA DOT week is coming soon!

Check the etsy shop soon to take a look!

TIPS - Line Drying Clothes

2008-06-13T17:10:00.000-04:00

Hanging clothes on a line to dry saves energy, saves the fibers in the cloth from getting damaged, and I think it's a great excuse to get outside for a few minutes.

The UV light from the sun actually helps kill bacteria, so you don't necessariy have to use the heat of the dryer to do this. The sun also has a slight bleaching effect on clothes. Great for stains or dingy whites. I've found if I soak a set of whites overnight before washing, more stains come out. For some stains, though, it may take a couple summers of sun!

If you like dryer fluffiness, when the clothes are dry, or mostly dry, let them "fluff up" in the dryer for a few minutes. They usually feel like they fluffed for the whole cycle!

Updates on donations

2008-06-13T11:15:00.000-04:00

60 Pads sent to Goods4Girls!

A great cause, a great thing.

If you're interested in donating some purchased pads at a discount contact me or check on my etsy sight as I'll be posting some.

For me... Why Cloth Pads

2008-06-13T10:47:00.000-04:00

Why Cloth and not the Keeper or the DivaCup? These are great products. Why cloth and not organic disposables?

If you're thinking of going from traditional menstrual products to alternatives, your reasons are probably both personal and global. You want to do it for yourself, maybe what you're using isn't working for you. But you're probably concerned about the environment or chemicals, and thinking of your life's impact on the earth.

There are so many great products out there. The Keeper is one, but there are many more. For me, while I've heard people say the Keeper is great because it helps them almost ignore the menses... that was not what I wanted. That was not why I changed what I used for this, or many other, of life's daily tasks and chores. Instead, I wanted to become more aware of these things. I wanted to be comfortable, I wanted something that was easy to use and earth friendly, but I wanted to get in tune with parts of life that were... life, organic, natural, earthly. When I use cloth pads I am comfortable, they are convenient (no more trips to the store!), but they also make me aware of my cycle, the moon's cycle and the eternity of women who have gone through their cycles throughout history. For me using cloth feels like reconnecting with them, after decades of disposables. It feels like connecting with them in understanding more of how their lives worked around this natural part of womanhood. (Although modern pads are WAY more convenient and cute!).

So for cloth pads, like reusable bags, hanging clothes to dry, family wipes, natural cleaners, organic foods and all sorts of simple choices you can make for your life, I wanted to use these choices to become aware of a more natural order of life. And by seeing these things as things that take care of me and nurture me, as they also take care of the earth, I personally feel even more fulfilled than if I felt I was sacrificing something to take care of the earth. And when I am fulfilled by this, my actions are more sustainable. When I use my homemade vinegar window and glass cleaner, I put scents in it which sooth me and that I personally enjoy. It makes the act of washing the windows a tiny little meditation, or at least a pleasant moment. And that, with the knowledge I'm not using chemicals and saving packaging, is empowering to me.

Menstruation and a woman's cycle are such a natural part of life and I want to remind myself and be in tune with the natural parts of life. I don't want to ignore them or become unaware of them because of the modern "conveniences" of the day.

Updates

2008-06-13T10:43:00.000-04:00

The shop is stocked with new sets and singles. I'm working on coming up with a way to offer hand-dyed organic pads that will still be somewhat affordable. It's proving tricky but I'll keep at it! E-mail me if you have any info, special requests, or ideas!

Stripping Fabric

2008-06-13T09:44:00.000-04:00

Did you know you can strip excess oils and soap residue from fabric by adding vinegar to the rinse cycle?

Sometimes throughout time, or if we use too much, soap residue can cling to the fibers of fabric. This also makes the fabric less absorbant. This may be what's happening if your pads, wipes, or other absorbant cloth reusables just don't seem to work like they used to. Just wash as normal, adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar (depending on the size of the load) at the beginning of the rinse cycle. Or, if you get distracted like I do, after the wash is done, do an additional rinse cycle with the vinegar.

(I wash mine with my towels when I'm doing this, and the towels benefit too!

Greetings and Ponderings

2008-05-28T10:08:00.000-04:00

The headline today on CNN online talks about how a middle class family feels strapped. Money is tight. They're having to turn their pants into shorts to keep from having to buy new things.

Most of the things I make, most of the things I've made for my own life, are made out of necessity, but also out of a desire for more meaning. Many of the things I've made came out of a desire to save money. I literally didn't have the money to purchase disposables at some point, found some old sheets or clothes, and made what I needed. But many other items came out of choice and intention. I had the money to purchase whatever it was, but saw that purchase as a choice I didn't want to make. I intentionally sought out other ways of living or other ways of fulfilling that specific need, often having to make my own version of whatever I was looking for, because whatever I was looking for couldn't be found.

So when I read the headline on CNN, I have great compassion for this family, who are being forced to live in a way uncomfortable or unfamiliar to them. But I also have great gratitude that I've been forced into the same position in my own life. Perhaps necessity started many projects, and inspired many of my questions into how disposable our products and daily tasks have become. But moving past that necessity and embracing these new ways of living has given these tasks so much more meaning. And with that much more meaning in my life I feel so much richer than I ever did before, when I did have the money to purchase whatever modern, quick, or disposable item that claimed to make life easier.