Sewing pattern: Packing cube to organize your suitcase

When you travel, is your suitcase a hot mess? These packing cubes will help organize your clothes and also allow you to pack more efficiently. Courtney at A Little Craft in Your Day shows how you can sew packing cubes. Use them to organize your clothes by outfits, or by type of clothing. They have mesh tops, so you can easily see what’s inside.

Click below for the tutorial:

DIY Packing Cube, by A Little Craft in Your Day

[photo from A Little Craft in Your Day]

How to use Packing Cubes

Roll Your Clothes: Roll your clothes to maximize space and minimize wrinkles. This also helps you see each item clearly when you open the packing cube.

Use Different Cubes for Categories: Assign specific cubes for different categories, such as tops, bottoms, underwear, and accessories. This makes unpacking and finding items easier.

Compression Cubes for Bulky Items: Utilize compression cubes for bulkier items like jackets or sweaters. These cubes help save space while keeping your items organized.

Color Code or Label Cubes: Consider color-coding or labeling your cubes to quickly identify their contents. This is especially useful if you’re using multiple cubes.

Pack Shoes Separately: Place shoes in a separate cube to prevent them from dirtying your clothes. Use a shoe bag or cover them with shower caps to protect your clothing.

Utilize Small Cubes for Toiletries: Use smaller packing cubes for toiletries to keep them contained and prevent leaks from spreading to your clothes.

Fold Delicate Items Neatly: For delicate or easily wrinkled items, fold them neatly before placing them in the cubes. This ensures they stay in good condition during travel.

Fill Empty Spaces: Fill any gaps or empty spaces in the cubes with smaller items or accessories to optimize the use of space.

Next Pattern:

Sewing Pattern Saturday is my weekly way of highlighting independent Etsy designers who are creating sewing patterns that are thoughtful, practical, and genuinely useful in everyday life. These reviews are written from a real sewist’s perspective, looking beyond the listing photos to how the pattern actually works, who it’s suited for, and whether it’s something you’d realistically make and use. It’s also about supporting small businesses on Etsy who are offering well-designed alternatives to mass-produced products.

This week’s feature is a DIY Reusable Period Pad Sewing Pattern, and it’s one of those patterns that quietly makes a lot of sense once you look a little closer.

First Impressions

At first glance, this pattern is very clear and purpose-driven. The shape is familiar, the design is straightforward, and everything about it feels intentional rather than overcomplicated. It’s not trying to be decorative or trendy. Instead, it focuses on comfort, practicality, and functionality, which is exactly what you want in a reusable period product.

The pattern includes multiple size options, which is a big plus. Being able to sew pads for different flow levels or personal preferences makes this pattern far more useful than a single-size design.

Practical Use & Everyday Wear

Reusable period pads are one of those handmade items that really earn their keep. Once you’ve made a few and figured out what works best for you, they become part of a routine rather than a novelty project.

This pattern is designed with everyday wear in mind. The shape looks comfortable and secure, and the snap placement makes them easy to use with regular underwear. They’re suitable for daytime use, overnight protection, or lighter flow days, depending on the size and fabric combination you choose.

They’re also discreet, washable, and reusable, which makes them appealing for anyone looking to reduce waste or save money over time.

Skill Level & Sewing Experience

This pattern is well suited to confident beginners and up.

You’ll want to be comfortable with:

Sewing curves
Layering fabrics accurately
Using a zigzag or stretch stitch
Installing snaps or fasteners

While the pieces are small, accuracy matters. Taking your time with cutting and stitching makes a big difference to comfort and durability. That said, this isn’t a difficult pattern, and it’s very manageable if you’ve sewn basic items before.

Instructions & Pattern Design

The pattern design is clean and practical, with clearly defined pieces and logical construction steps. This is the kind of pattern that becomes easier with each one you make. Once you’ve sewn your first pad, the rest come together quickly.

Because the pads are relatively small, it’s also a great project for using up fabric scraps, especially flannel, cotton, or absorbent layers you already have on hand.

Fabric Choices & Customisation

Fabric choice plays a big role in comfort and absorbency, and this pattern allows for plenty of flexibility. It works well with:

Cotton or flannel for the top layer
Absorbent cores like bamboo or terry
Waterproof or water-resistant backing if preferred

You can easily customise thickness, absorbency, and size to suit your needs. It’s also a nice pattern to personalise with colours or prints that feel calm and comfortable rather than clinical.

Finished Result & Long-Term Use

Once finished, these pads feel sturdy, reusable, and genuinely practical. They’re the kind of handmade item that doesn’t sit in a drawer unused. Instead, they quietly become part of your routine.

They also wash well when sewn carefully, which is essential for something designed to be used again and again.

Is This Sewing Pattern Worth Making?

If you’re looking for a reusable period pad sewing pattern that is straightforward, customisable, and genuinely useful, this one is a solid choice. It’s practical, well thought out, and ideal for anyone wanting to sew eco-friendly alternatives for everyday life.

This DIY Period Pad Sewing Pattern fits perfectly into Sewing Pattern Saturday. It’s not flashy, but it’s meaningful, functional, and exactly the kind of project that shows how powerful handmade sewing can be.

Pattern name: DIY Reusable Period Pad Sewing Pattern
Available on: Etsy
Best suited to: Confident beginners and intermediate sewists interested in eco-friendly sewing projects.