Hi ladies! I've been busy making pads for my sisters lately but I've seem to have forgotten that I'll be moving into a dorm in the fall. I keep my pads in a box, but I like hand washing and hanging them up to dry. Soaking shouldn't be a problem if I soak them in my bucket behind the toilet (I have only glanced at the layout of my room so far though). I'm just a little nervous that my room mate won't be supportive of my pads. I can always take them down to the laundromat with my towels/rags and wash them together, but I just keep picturing her (Luckily no co-ed rooms in our dorms) throwing them out in disgust. Just needing a little support and advicee for my panicky self. :) Dollar store solutions are the best solutions :D

Also here's some questions:

1.Is there someone you feel uncomfortable talking about cloth pads with? I blab about it to everyone I know, but I just feel really weird mentioning it to my mother's bf (who kinda knows about it through my mother) We get along okay (note not well, just okay) so I don't really like talking about my health or my period around him. My big sister called me immature, but I don't believe that it's immature to blab about something like that to everyone in the world especially if you feel weird about it with someone. He hasn't asked, but if he did I'd tell him straight facts and still feel pretty weird about it.

2. How many of you like two tone pads? ie: front is different than back in color or pattern. A friend of mine gave me some great fabric-dark with a pretty pattern and it was a little thick so I gave it a checkered back and I love the look. Now I feel addicted to two toned pads!

Why didn't I order any Heather Ross Goldfish in Bags when it was a reasonable thing to do so?

I absolutely refuse to pay $20 + shipping for one yard of fabric.

Hi ladies! It's been a crazy couple of weeks here. I've gotten engaged, my beau has moved across the country, and now I need to move there too! I can't take very much with me since I'll be flying (I can only imagine what TSA would think of 500 sets of metal snaps......), which is bad news for me.

The good news for you is that I need to sell everything in my store! I marked down (further than the original sale) almost everything! Come check it out! =D

http://modestmaiden.clothpadshop.com/

Good news on cleaning silicone cups! I left mine in for an unwisely long time, by accident as we all have I'm sure, and it smelt quite horrible. I soaked it in soda bicarb and it's fine now :) Other good news, I skydived in it and not a leak. Plunging towards the earth at 125mph is no problem for the trusty mooncup!

If you yearn for a prettier pouch for your cup, or need some back-up pads which are high quality and don't look like they're aimed at children* (I mean, do I want to be bleeding onto dragonflies or kittens? No, I do not), I'd like to recommend Luna Wolf. She has some lovely stock, good taste, low prices, and is just about to custom-make some pads for me in spare quilting fabric of mine. Her purple batik is particularly gorgeous, and she says she's about to buy some more batiks, so I expect the gorgeousness to improve.

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* Conversation with my boyfriend the other day:

elettaria, in exasperation: Why on earth are there so many menstrual pads with bunny rabbits on them?
ghost_of_a_flea: Because it's such a sweet, fluffy process.

How does the new divacup differ from one made a couple of years ago?
The gal I'm talking to asked me if it was worth it, and I said yes. She's just concerned about how the company says it needs to be replaced every year....and how long it can actually go. Her family couldn't afford that.
Any opinions?

:DDDDD

sushi rice in a bowl with extras, so yummy
the word sushi means any meal based around the sushi rice according to my new library book so this is dinner!

first the first bowl of my own salad YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY

I also go onto girlspace.com {to get the cup word out},
and there's a gal on there who wants to get a divacup. The only problem is, no one stocks divacups in her area.
And her parents don't have credit or debit cards....so buying it online is out of the question.
Any suggestions? I'm thinking maybe someone would accept a cash offer for their divacup {model 1}?
But I'm not sure how that would affect her.
In the beginning she was totally grossed out by the idea of a menstrual cup, but after all the positive feedback on cups she's decided to get one...
so if you have any different suggestions, that would help a ton.
Also, I don't think a different cup would be the option...unless the given option above.
But I think she's stuck on with a divacup model one.

So I noticed that Diva had redesigned their website and I was poking around. Has anyone else noticed the new (and disappointing) changes?

Probably most distressing is that they now recommend that you replace the cup once a year.

Q. What is the lifespan of The DivaCup? When should I replace The DivaCup?
A. Due to government standards and the personal, hygienic nature of the product, a menstrual cup should be replaced once a year.
http://divacup.com/en/home/faqs/

The site used to say that it can last up to ten years but many women replace their every one to two years; now they're telling people to buy a new one every year with no mention of a longer possibility. What the hell! The Keeper website, for the record, still says ten years.

Second, they recommend that if a cup gets dropped in the toilet, it should be thrown away and a new one purchased. Now, while I wouldn't exactly pop it right back in after dropping it in the toilet, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't recommend boiling it for 5 minutes, and I know several members of this community have cups that have been in the toilet.

Third, they seem to be pushing DivaWash pretty hard on people as the best/only way to effectively wash your cup, which I don't remember them doing before.

In all three cases, but particularly the first, I am really disappointed in the company. This seems like a clear-cut case of needlessly selling more products just to make more money. I can't think of any "government standards" or hygienic reasons to replace the cup once a year or replace it after it's fallen in the toilet. It seems almost irresponsible of them to start pushing their products on people who are already their patrons needlessly.

Edit: Just for posterity, I used the Wayback Machine to find the old FAQ:

How long does The DivaCup last?

We are unable to make any claims that The DivaCup will last for a specified amount of years as making such a claim is a violation of Medical Device License holders by The FDA and Health Canada. However, the silicone used in The DivaCup, which is 100% hypoallergenic, latex-free and odorless is the same material and grade used for permanent medical body parts such as heart valves, joint replacements, etc.

The material is very durable, and with proper care, The DivaCup should last for many years. The DivaCup can be boiled to sterilize the cup, and rubbing alcohol can be used to help remove the natural discoloration. The material and the cup itself should last indefinitely, but since it is a hygienic product, some women prefer to replace the cup every year or two. The DivaCup is a great investment and pays for itself in 3 or 4 months for most women.

Hello Ladies,
I just got my sister a Diva cup a few weeks ago, and now that it is nearing that special time of the month she's trying to get the hang of it. But, she's having an issue. When she inserts it she says that it causes almost unbearable pressure/pain. She's had a baby, and let me tell you, when my nephew was born he was significantly larger than the diva. And she says that she's getting it all the way in (and open) without a problem that it's just painful when it's in.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Is it socially acceptable to empty my keeper in a porta potty?

I did this at Pride this past weekend, not having any other alternatives, and while on the one hand I don't feel that my menstrual blood is objectively any grosser than any of the other body fluids in there, on the other hand that much blood is kind of shocking to look at if you're not accustomed to it.

Thoughts?

OK, so thanks to you guys from posting the alternate folds post... the 7 fold is fantastic! I have another question now. Everyone I've talked to has been really shocked to hear that I've actually had MORE menstrual cramps than usual this period with the cup. It's my first time (first cycle) using the cup, so it may be just a fluke that I'm having more cramps... but I can't remember a time that I've had cramps all the way til the end of my cycle. Usually it's one day or two days at the absolute max. This time, it has been every day... very constant. Not as painful as the first day, but still very noticeable. It feels exactly like period cramps, and not just vaginal soreness... so I don't think it's me putting it in or taking it out wrong.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm still willing to stick with the cup even with more cramps just because the waste associated with other products is way too big!

first some garden pics, it's coming along nicely

you can see the runner beans and the sugar snap peas are growing really well and it's time to harvest the lettuce. The zucchini didn't like the hail and is sulking hehe

Hi everyone! I am new here and new to using cloth pads. I have a few that I've just strated using and I love them, but I want to make my own...Does anyone know what the best fabric is for the insert?
I have just bought some flannel off ebay for the top and bottom layers but I dont know what to put in between them. Or would fleece be better to use for the bottom layer?
I have google for patterns serval times but i was wondering if yall had a favorite?
Thanks in advance!

Hello Ladies! 

I would like to start sewing my own pads and wanted to know where to find the hemp or bamboo cloth for the inside of the pad? Sewing stores or order online?  

Also, I have 2 to 3 days of heavy flow...any tips on putting together a sturdy pad that will hold up to heavier flow days? 

Thanks a bunch for your help! 

I used the size 2 diva cup for my last cycle I am over 30 and have had 3 kids, but I was really sore like bruised feeling inside after just 1 day of using it- Should I try another brand, should I try the smaller size.  I have used a diaphram before so I placed it similar to that. I really want this to work please help!

I am a couple days from my third cycle with my Mooncup UK and I am hoping it goes better then the last two. I can not deal with the tons of leakage, usually the first couple days, so I have two questions for you all:
1. If I am getting a good seal, as evidenced by running my finger along the edge and the strong suction felt when I remove it, would changing the type of fold I use possibly fix the leakage?
2. If I still have too much leakage, should I go up to the larger size? I am over 30, not terribly sexually active right now, have never had kids, and use the small size duck for exams, so I bought the smaller one.
Thanks!

Are there any pad makers out there that make 6 inch long and about 2-2.5 inc snapped pantyliner? Without them having to be custom? I can't wear longer liners because they tend to bunch on me and I don't much like picking my butt all day and I don't really like wearing such a long liner that I feel like it's creeping up my back. I don't need heavy pads, just every day wear light for back up and incontinence.

I've looked around but haven't found many sellers that make pads that length and stock them regularly. I found two at honeybeehill's site that I absolutely love but most of her stock it 8 inc or longer now and I don't think she is going to be stocking the ones I like anytime soon.

Any suggestions? I don't mind customs I just hate having to order them because I feel like I'm being a pain for wanting a size that it seems like not a lot of people want or need.

Thanks in advance!