Start Sewing

Our Quality Guarantee

Fabric reusable sanitary pads lined up together after sewing

We aim to provide the highest quality of pads and can only accept pads sewn according to our patented pattern. Our pattern is specifically designed to be hand-washed in environments with no electricity, limited water, and limited drying time.

Basic Sewing Supplies

A few things to get you started:

A blue & green plaid reusable sanitary pad together with pink & green thread

A simple machine capable of straight stitching.
This is a waterproof laminate material that we use for our base units. Hobby Lobby often has PUL fabric on sale. Clothdiaper.com, Naturesfabrics.com & Wazoodle.com also have good selections of PUL (2 mm).
A soft and absorbent fabric for the pad's top layer. Please pre-wash any new flannel.
Polyester fleece, also known as polar fleece (for example Joann Fabric Blizzard-type fleece) is ideal. Avoid faux fur, minky, or Sherpa fabrics.
We prioritize thicker fleece because it’s more absorbent, but we accept all thicknesses.
¼ or ½-inch flat elastic for securing the interchangeable liners.
A sharp pair of scissors to cut pattern pieces and liners. A cutting mat with a rotary cutter can be used for liners (only straight cuts).
Please do not use topstitching thread .
Size #32 (3-inch) bands to hold the kits together.
These prevent holes in the waterproof PUL fabric. Pins can be used cautiously.
Often used for stretch jersey fabric. This type of needle may improve stitching if you encounter difficulties with PUL or elastic.

Start Sewing

Get started quickly with a pre-cut kit starter kit or download our free sewing instructions and pattern for use with your own fabric. Please note if ordering a starter kit, an additional 1 yard of polyester polar fleece will be required to complete the required 3 pad kit samples.

1 Request A Starter Kit

We are committed to providing our partner organizations with durable, high-quality pads designed to last at least three years. To ensure consistent quality, all new Pad Project members are asked to submit a sample pad for review. Please send your sample to our founder, Emma, for quality control and personalized sewing feedback. A shipping address is available by email at Emma@toolittlechildren.org.

2 Quality Check

3 Sew It Up!

Once approved, unleash your sewing skills and create as many pad kits as you’d like. After your sample kits receive approval, you'll be responsible for supplying the fabric for subsequent pad kits. Please note that The Pad Project provides fabric solely for the initial starter kits base units.

Too Little Children's Pad Project provides essential pad kits to women and girls in need, focusing on workplaces and high schools near Jemo House in Maseno, Kenya. Recognizing the global impact of period poverty, the project also collaborates with various aid organizations in the United States to expand distribution efforts worldwide.

Our pad donation mailing address changes monthly to match our partner's distribution needs. After completing your pad kits, please email Caroline at caroline@toolittlechildren.org for the current address. Include the number of kits you've made and pairs of underwear you’re including. Underwear donations are appreciated, but we understand that they are an additional expense and endeavor to partner with other non profits to supplement our needs where possible.

Our frequent mailing destinations, currently include Durham NC, Euphrata PA, Marion IA, Beecher City IL, Coppell TX and Fullerton CA, but these can change regularly to align with our distribution schedule.