Change in policy about flannel liners

BIG NEWS:  Days for Girls International has decided to discontinue the T&T or octagon-style of flannel liner. 

We are asked to finish up T&T liners that are already cut out or in process, and distribute them in our kits (along with the serged style, which DFG calls tri-fold) until our inventory  runs out.  We will be including a few in each kit until they're gone, so please bring in the ones you're working on and those you've already finished, but don't start any new ones.  Until further notice, we will only be making the serged liner.

In its 6-year existence, Days for Girls has always solicited feedback from the recipients of our kits, and based on that information, the shields and liners have evolved over the years. This is phasing out of a style is a big change for us, but it is the result of feedback from the users.  Days for Girls founder Celeste Mergens explains: 

Phasing Out T&T Liners Announcement: About 6 months ago a trickle of data started coming in... T&T's were an issue. When girls and women needed 3 liners for heavier flow the liners would arc up and toward their bodies instead of down forming a "bowl" as most standard tri-folds do. This created a problem for the girls as menses could sometimes leak out of the side before absorbing because of the arch, while the natural "cupping" of standard liners allowed time to absorb a bit. We tested it for ourselves... yes. We saw what they meant. The subtle difference was causing an issue for the girls. We were hesitant to make any changes. We considered how difficult it would be for everyone to advise that when using 3 liners, users could place two liners "up" and one correctly placed. We recognized that passing on that data to all who receive kits would be nearly impossible. We decided that since not all use 3 layers and it was not consistent, we would await more data. Next came news from Cambodia that happened in a fluke way. They somehow received 3 types of liners. One full bag of kits had Betty Pads (A mystery, right? How did that happen? Betty Pads were phased out so long ago, but it turned out to be a helpful mistake. The other bag of kits had T&T's. The last had 25 kits with only standard tri-folds. The girls opened their kits and the first group said, "We can't hang these outside. They look like pads." We knew that from previous feedback, yes? That's why we discontinued them so long ago. The second set, that received T&T's hesitated, having the same concern, that they would be asked what they were and eventually everyone would know they were for menstruation and they would no longer be able to hang them outside to dry. The third set, who received standard tri-folds were pleased. Soon the entire group was asking if they could have the tri-folds. And suddenly, with that feedback, we knew what had to be done. So... we get to start phasing out our T&T liners. Complete what is already cut out and try to call for donations in your communities for sergers. Days for Girls makes changes to the kit based on what is best for the girls, that is, those who use the kits. Changes are made with a focus on what is most efficient, most effective, and best for the health of the girls.

We realize the need for sergers may be a temporary difficulty for some groups which do not currently have sergers. However, in most communities there are sergers packed away in closets. Some groups have been successful in locating new volunteers with sergers. Another option is to seek out the sergers gathering dust in closets and ask the owner if they would consider sewing for DfG or would donate their serger to DfG.

Important: the serged liner must be made using a serger (also called overlocker). It may not be made with zigzag or overcast stitch on regular sewing machines; doing so results in poorly made liners that lack durability. Liners that do not last are a poor use of our resources (flannel and the dollars that have purchased the flannel). More importantly, liners lacking durability do not serve the girls well. Thank you for being flexible for the girls. YOU are the heart of all we do and the reason so many are reached. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the process.

So, how will this affect us here in Oregon?  We need more sergers!  Both the machines and people to serge on them.  If you know somebody who has a serger which they no longer use, please ask them if they'd consider donating it to our team.  We are a 501c3 charity and can supply them with a receipt for tax purposes.  If you have a serger at home that you'd be willing to use on the liners, please let us know, and we'll supply you with the flannel.  Or if you have one you'd like to bring and use at our workdays, that's fantastic!  

Here are our directions for serged liners.  All dimensions assume that you will be cutting off 1/4" as you serge.  Use medium to dark polyester thread--exact matching isn't necessary!

• Cut or tear flannel into lengths of about 2.5 yards.
• Prewash and machine dry the flannel.  Press.
• Cut off selvages and cut (don't tear) lengthwise into 6" and 9" strips.  
• Serge the long sides of only the 6" strip, cutting off 1/4" on each side as you serge.  
• Straight stitch the strips together, wrong sides together, centering the narrower strip on the wider one.  You should be stitching on top of the serger-stitching.
• This long stitched strip  is then cut into 9" squares, and serged all around (cutting off 1/4" all around).  It should measure 8.5" square when finished (absolutely no bigger, or it won't fit in the shield!).
• In this video supplied by a Utah chapter, notice where she begins, how she turns corners, and how she ends.  Neat!

DfG Serged Liners

In other news, last month we finished 40 kits that will be in Zimbabwe this weekend!  They're the first batch of several to be going (as airline weight/space is available) to 350  high school girls who have lost one or both parents.  

If you ever know of  somebody traveling to an impoverished area who has room in their luggage weight allowance, please let me know.  Each kit weights about 12 ounces.  I can check and see if there are requests for that area.

Our next workday at Our Sewing Room is March 15th, 10 to 5.  I'll go over making the serged liners with you (and show the video to those who haven't seen it).  I hope we have a great turnout.  And lots of sergers!

Tasks for that day will include:

Finishing up lots of T&T liners that are cut out or started (straight-stitching)

Serging liner hotspot strips and straight-stitching the layers together

Serging the edges of liners

Pressing flannel and cotton

Attaching snaps to shields

Using the Accuquilt to cut out shields and PUL.

Rotary cutting

Scissor cutting (please bring a sharp pair if this job appeals to you)

Cutting and top-stitching pockets for the shields (If you have 5" strips of cotton that meet our color/pattern guidelines and would make great pockets, donations are welcome!)

And our wishlist (see earlier posts for more details and restrictions):

• sergers!
• flannel (see restrictions posted earlier)
• girls cotton underpants, as colorful as possible, sizes 10-14, but especially 10 and 12.
• polyester thread, medium to dark colors
• colorful twill tape, 1/2" or 5/8" (we use 2 yards per bag)
• Ziploc gallon-size freezer bags (this brand and size only)
• Washcloths--medium to dark colors
• PUL--polyurethane laminate (JoAnn's carries this, and it's also available at a good price from DFG.  Ask me if you'd like to buy through them.)

I'm going to start having volunteers sign in at our work days when they arrive, to help with our record-keeping.  I'll also have name tags to help us learn each others' names!

As always, bringing your sewing machine may be more comfortable for you.  We'll be doing much more serging than we have previously, so if you have a serger and can bring it (to use yourself), that would be very helpful!  And bringing your own scissors, seam ripper and pins is appreciated.  

Please feel free to email me with any questions--dfgeugene@gmail.com