Let’s put the “she” into “She makes”! This post is all about periods — sewing for your period.

Sewing for your period — stay with me here — can make your monthly cycle less of a drag. If you’re like me, I suspect you, too, need a smidgen more care during your menstrual cycle. You may be tired, crabby, achy, or sad.

Sewing for your period is an act of self-care. Special clothes, period-supporting accessories, and even DIY menstrual supplies provide comfort when you need it most.

Let us ride the crimson tide and review top picks for period friendly fashion and gear!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links chosen especially for you! If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. When you shop, it helps me make more fab sewing content, which I hope you like as much as I enjoy creating it! Thanks for your support!

Clothes That Make Your Period More Comfortable

Dresses

I have three dress suggestions to keep you fashionable and comfortable while menstruating. I chose this trio because they all flare away or gently skim your body between the breasts and knees — an area that can be sensitive during your period.

• The Nancy dress from Sew Over It is darling. This swing dress is designed for wovens.
• If you’re into knits, try the Ebony T-shirt dress from Closet Case Patterns. I haven’t sewn this myself, but rumor has it that this frock sews up F-A-S-T.
• Big 4 pattern brand Simplicity New Look has this raglan-sleeved shift dress. The thing I like about this pattern is there’s no shaping around the waist, which means it won’t cling to your tender middle.

Tops

For tops, loose is how we roll for maximum comfort. Tailored garments give many menstruating ladies the heebie-jeebies.

• If you like the idea of a shift dress but don’t do dresses, try the Rae tunic from Aussie brand Style Arc. That hem knocks me out.
• I feel like the Roscoe blouse from True Bias is a cult favorite. It would let you live out your boho fantasies once a month.
• Long cardigans such as the Esme from Named and the Blackwood from Helen’s Closet (which has a mid-thigh length option) are socially acceptable robes. And when I’m wiped out by my period, a robe it basically all I feel like wearing.

Bottoms

So, if the best garments to put on your top during your period are loose, the best garments to put on your bottom are STRETCHY!

• Let’s talk about the mother of all stretchy bottoms: leggings. If you’d like to dip your toe into pattern drafting, try the Made to Measure leggings online class from the ladies behind the “Sewing Out Loud” podcast.
• Jalie has a great reputation for activewear, and these sweatpants look like they’d sew up with little drama. Plus, the pattern includes a hoodie!
• Let’s get controversial for a minute: harem pants. You can’t deny that a drop crotch would be THE BOMB during your period. Hey, maybe you’d only wear them in the privacy of your home?

Skirts

Skirts with stretch can be chic and comfortable.

• There are lots of ways you could jazz up an elastic-waistband skirt. Plus, because there’s no zipper to install, an elastic-waistband skirt sews up blindingly fast. Take to the internet/Pinterest for a tutorial!
• If you’re feeling up for it, a stretchy, high-waisted skirt would distract from midsection thickness; the waistband lands at the narrowest part of your body. (And sometimes a little compression feels great.) Check out this high-waisted pencil skirt tutorial on YouTube from Mimi G (who is pictured above).

Workout Wear

It can be hard to get moving during your period. I find, though, the high I get from exercise makes me feel powerful and helps me sleep better. Even a little gentle yoga and deep breathing can shift my mood.

• I’m loving this stylish asymmetrical zip jacket and seamed leggings from McCall’s. You could wear that all day after your workout, too, and a.) be comfortable and b.) turn heads with that killer collar/hood situation.
• Beloved activewear designer Melissa Fehr (of Fehr Trade) has a book! It’s “Sew Your Own Activewear: Make a Unique Sportswear Wardrobe from Four Basic Sewing Blocks.” Speaking from experience, Fehr is VERY accessible via social media, if you have any Qs!
• Hey, if you’re game for sewing workout clothes, consider reading “Sewing Activewear: How to make your own professional-looking athletic wear” by sewing vlogger Johanna Lundström. Lundström is obsessed with sewing activewear and self-published this books of her best tips.

Period-Inspired Accessories You Can Sew

Guys, I have this extra-long hot water bottle, and IT IS LIFE. It feels SO GOOD to curl up with this bad boy when I’m all crampy and achy from my period. Sew a luxe, soft cover for your hot water bottle out of minky llama cuddle ivory fabric or this faux long-pile Mongolian sheep fabric (that I want to pet all day).

Or, you could stitch yourself up a comforting rice-filled heating pad (there are myriad tutes for these online). Kaufman Mammoth flannel in the plaid lagoon colorway or Cuddle Suede in gold strike me as particularly snuggle worthy. Add a few drops of essential oil (I suggest relaxing lavender) to your rice, microwave, and Bob’s your uncle (maybe Flo’s your aunt would be more appropriate here?).

When you need the world to just STEP OFF during that time of the month, an eye mask or gently weighted eye pillow can help take you away. Try rich purple silk shantung or purple stretch panne velvet velour for maxing and relaxing. I strongly suggest swatching fabric for any sewing project that’ll spend time around your sensitive eye area.

When I’m feeling less than human during my period, a cup of tea almost always does the trick (at least for a while). Why not sew yourself a mug rug to level up your beverage game? If you didn’t know, a mug rug is an oversized fabric coaster/undersized place mat (usually 8-by-10 inches or so) for your cup and snack. (Google “mug rug” for gajillions of patterns.) Consider using 10-inch pre-cut quilt square packs (also called Layer Cakes) for your mug rug, including this whimsical pack called Big Sky  or squares from the Spirit Animal line by über quilt fabric designer Tula Pink. And, while you’re sewing a mug rug, you *might* want to get this hysterical unicorn mug.

Treat dem tootsies right when you’re feeling low! After a good Epsom salt foot soak, slide your feet into handmade slippers or socks (Pinterest can deliver a pattern you’ll love, I’m sure). I’m kinda into this kitten fleece and this digital houndstooth fleece. #treatyoself

I’m a fair gal, but when I’m menstruating, I look positively wan. When you look tired (and especially when people comment about it), you feel EXTRA tired. One of my tricks to look and feel more alive is to wear eye-catching statement pieces — often scarves. Sew yourself a scarf in a fabric and color that makes you feel like your firing-on-all-cylinders best. This Liberty of London LINEN (!) drops my jaw, and I LOVE the rich, cool jewel tones of this Thakoon crepe de chine. Before you sew a scarf, consider the right side/wrong side situation and maybe swatch first. (In many cases, I’d be fine with the wrong side acting as a contrasting color/texture on a scarf, but not everyone is me.)

Obi belts. Let’s talk about why they’re perfect for menstruating fashionistas like YOU. The reason is simple: An obi belt is infinitely adjustable, unlike a belt with prong holes. Feeling bloated? Don’t tie the obi as tight. While I researching this post for fabric, I got into all sorts of unusual faux options: white crocodile vinyl, rich wine-colored leather, Western-feel debossed tan leather, and velvety cowhide WITH SPOTS. If you wanted something less stiff, try sari fabric or linen! You could go neutral or make a statement piece.

Sewing for Your Period: Stuff That Makes You Blush

Black Underwear

Black undies are THE BEST during your period, because they’re essentially stain proof. Sew a week’s worth of black underwear to keep your non-period undies in good shape, you menstruation master, you!

Indie pattern designer Megan Nielsen offers her Acacia bikini-style panties for free when you sign up for her newsletter. The Acacias have been getting rave reviews on Instagram. (And if these aren’t your jam, it ain’t hard to find other undie patterns on the good, ole intercom.)

For fabric, try the Kaufman Laguna stretch jersey knit in onyx. And keep those drawers in place with fold-over elastic.

DIY Pads and Period Underwear

I’ve never done the calculations on how much I’ve spent on feminine hygiene products. I’ve been doing this dance for better than two decades, so I’m sure it’s in the thousands. Plus, there’s all the paper waste from pads and tampons. It’s understandable that enterprising women would want to DIY a menstrual solution.

To that end, there are tons of tutorials for home-sewn pads; search the web or Pinterest. There are, however, fewer guides on how to make Thinx-style period panties.

The thing is, sewists are FASCINATED by period panties. The topic was HOT in The Self-Sewn Wardrobe Facebook group (a group you MUST join). Through this group, I came across two good articles about period undies:

• DIY Period Panties (or Self Sewn Menstruation Alternative): An experienced sewist shares her version of Thinx, hilariously called Flowzzz.
• DIY Period Panties and DIY Period Panties: The Review: Sewist Clara used a freebie undies pattern to make her period panties, and she followed up on how they worked after six months.

If you’re interested in DIYing a period solution, check out these supplies found on Amazon:

Waterproof Outer Fabric

PUL (Polyurethane Laminate) 1Mil optic white fabric: PUL is the fabric used on the exterior of modern (think: bumGenius) cloth diapers. It’s soft and smooth on the right side and tacky and plasticy on the wrong (waterproof) side. I used bumGenius diapers for our older son and loved them. The PUL definitely is waterproof.

Babyville Boutique Packaged PUL fabric in “girl solids,” “boy solids,” and “neutral solids“: These color packs are for folks making cloth diapers for girls, boys, and babies who reject traditional gender stereotypes. (We diapered our son with a mix of colors, including pink and purple; we didn’t know his gender before he was born. He never complained about “girl” colors. 😆)

Pro tip: Use PUL to make a waterproof “wet” bag for soiled pads and panties.

Absorbent Lining

Zorb original super absorbent fabric: The Amazon product description says Zorb “absorbs 10x its weight in fluids in half a second.” Whoa.

Diaper flannel white fabric: Cotton flannel comes up a lot in searches for DIY pads. Some sewists even thrift flannel shirts for pads.

Certified organic bamboo velour: It’s naturally anti-bacterial.

Other Materials

Athletic wicking jersey search in Arts, Crafts, Sewing on Amazon: One sewist recommended sandwiching the absorbent lining between athletic wicking jersey. Would feel nice on skin.

KAMsnaps Starter Pack: Kit includes 100 pastel KAM snaps, awl and snap press pliers. Snaps secure the pad around the crotch of undies. You also could install snaps in the sides of period panties to avoid taking off your pants when you need to change panties. (Yes, like a diaper, OK? LOL, you have to have a sense of humor about this stuff!)

I know there’s an “ew” factor for some ladies when it comes to reusable period products. I get it; at this point, I’m not ready to wear homesewn period panties. I do, though, like to know what’s out there when it comes to menstruation gear, because the tech is cool. Most of all, I LOVE to see clever sewists doing their thing. MOTHERS of invention, for sure! 👊

OK, sewing friends, I want to hear from you: What are your favorite period-related sewing projects? Would you sew your own pads or period panties? Perhaps even more controversial: Would you wear harem pants? Please sound off in comments! Thanks for reading!

P.S. ICYMI, here’s the previous post: Batch Sewing a Bunch of Briar T-Shirts: 5 Tips I Learned.

P.P.S. If you liked this post, I suspect that you’d enjoy this one, too: Sewing for Depression and Anxiety: 24 Sewing Ideas to Improve Your Mood.