Rags to…Rags: Cloth Menstrual Pads from Amy’s Rag Bag
- Amy’s pads come in several shapes to mix and match, and are made from 100% salvaged fabric.
Cramps. Bloating. Blood.
Monthly periods aren’t high on this chick’s list of things to celebrate.
But stumbling on to Amy’s Rag Bag actually brought a smile to my lips.
Amy hand-makes the funkiest cloth menstrual pads I’ve ever seen – and I’ve been using cloth for 20 years.
Pieces of Pad
She calls them “pieces of pad.” They’re pads that come as separate modular pieces – Toppers, Soakers and Backups - that you can mix and match to suit your changing needs as your cycle progresses. As Amy says, “My goal was to combine the convenience of an all-in-one pad with the versatility of multi-parts.”
Amy’s pads appear to be very easy to use – no stuffing, snapping or tying. And the fastening is ingenious – a simple, 100% cloth loop and strap that stays put. No cold metal snaps or (ouch!) scratchy Velcro.
Rags to…Rags
The pads are made from 100% salvaged fabrics – rags, literally. Rags have gone out of fashion since the invention of disposables but really, it makes a ton of sense to use them in this way. A flannel shirt with a soup stain on the front still has plenty of perfectly good fabric left. Why chuck it in the landfill when it could brighten up the dark days of your month?
Many of Amy’s creations would brighten anybody’s day. The fabrics are as varied as a trip to the thrift store. Many of them feature whimsical prints, with ladybugs, polka dots, even one with ducks – whatever happens to land in Amy’s path.
How much do they cost?
So how much will Amy’s “pieces of pad” set you back?
Brace yourself.
Amy is a dedicated Freegan. She’s more than happy to trade her handiwork for fabric (yes, even – especially – stained or torn sheets or garments that thrift shops won’t take!), handmade items, or… cookies! (Check with her first on the cookies – she needs to monitor her intake!) (But if you absolutely must send cash, she’ll take that, too.)
It’s enough to make you look forward to getting your period.
Brava, Amy!
