Flannel Update

I am pleased with most of the results.

I cut out 40 bandage pads, 20 of the 4x7 family cloths and 20 of the 6x10  paper towel substitutes  and ran a zig-zag stitch around each one.  I wanted to test them before going crazy cutting flannel.

I am using the bandage pads now.  The nurse was here and applied them to the areas on my legs that needed them.  I use an antibiotic salve on each one.  Without that, they could stick to an open wound, but any kind of salve including just Vaseline would work.  My personal preference is Bag Balm (for cows) to use on scrapes or minor cuts.  My legs are wrapped from toes to knees in Ace bandages and they hold the pads in place.  For use in other areas I have found the first aid tape they sell in stores to be pretty much useless.  It doesn't stick well at all.  I would use duct tape before I would use the first aid tape to hold a pad in place.  I have used the ribbed part of a sock to hold a bandage pad on a cut on my arm, but I need to find a better way to keep them in place where I wouldn't use the Ace bandages.   I think two or three layers of flannel could be sewn together with a zig-zag stitch to provide different sizes or thicker pads, but I will make mine single layered and just use several together if I need more absorption.

I got another dozen or so family cloths cut and then decided to quit being so persnickety about size.  My ruler that I use with my rotary cutter is 6.5 inches wide.  The cloths are now 6.5 x 6.5 inches square.  Went much faster cutting.

I have been using the family cloths for a couple of days and find no problem with them.  They are softer than toilet paper and are very absorbent.  I washed them in my little apartment sized washer on the low water setting in hot water with a little bit of bleach and laundry detergent, and they came out clean with no odor.  In a grid down situation, they can be washed by hand.  Sometimes I think we have become more squeamish and less practical.  Grandma washed diapers for 9 children using a wash tub and washboard.

I need to buy a small trash can with a lid to hold the used ones until laundry day each week.  I folded each cloth and stacked them in a basket that sits on top of the toilet tank.

I don't like the flannel paper towels.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe they are too small and too thin, but when I made a couple larger sizes and double thickness, I still didn't like them.  The ones I have seen in how-to videos online and in Etsy shops are much more elaborate, often using terry cloth on one side and another fabric on top, with enclosed edges and top stitching around each one.  This isn't rocket science.  This is paper towels and I just can't justify the time and expense for making them like that.  So I may just buy some cheap washcloths at the dollar store or maybe use some of my older terrycloth dishtowels  instead and use the ones I already made for handkerchiefs.  I have a big bag that holds more sturdy rags that are from old clothes I cut up and recycled for scrub rags, mostly t-shirts and sweatshirts and pants.  With those and a few washcloths, I likely can get along just fine without paper towels of any sort.

I will definitely be making more of the bandages and the family cloths.  I can dry them in my little clothes dryer, but I think I will look for one of those fold-up wooden clothes drying racks.  I should have one anyway in case we lose our electricity for any length of time making the dryer useless.  If stored in zip lock bags, they will stay neat and clean and can be tucked anywhere for storage.  Because they can be stored flat rather than on a roll, they take up much less space.  Any fabric will eventually wear out so having extras stashed seems like a good idea to me.  Lord knows - I surely do have enough flannel for it!!