Days for Girls Patterns and Instructions
Did you know that our patterns were informed and proven by feedback from women all over the world? That's why they work so uniquely well.
Welcome! So glad you're helping reach more girls and women with us.
NOTE: Download and Save the file to your desktop. Open the file from your computer to print. This will provide better printing results than printing directly from the browser. When printing, select option to print 'actual size'. After printing, be sure to measure the pattern to confirm proper sizing.
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Standard Shield Pattern - The shield in DfG kits act as the moisture barrier, holding absorbent liners in place (rev March 5, 2015). Days for Girls kit use only. * Patent pending.
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Shield Instructions - Fabric considerations and step-by-step instructions (rev May 23, 2015). Days for Girls kit use only.* Review the Quality Points for sewing the Shield in this document.
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DfG Heavy Flow (HF) Liners & Kits - To make the Heavy Flow Liners and Kits (they replace the Postpartum Liners and Kits), use the Heavy Flow (formerly Postpartum) Shield Pattern (rev March 5, 2015) and the HF Serged Liner Instructions. Read the document called, "Why Heavy Flow Kit?" to find out how to make the new kits and why we're making the change.
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Regular Serged Liners - The Regular Serged Liner (Patent pending), design is absorbent, rinses with very little water, is fast drying, and doesn't look like a pad when drying. Days for Girls kit use only.* Review the Quality Points for sewing the Regular Serged Liner at the end of the instructions.
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T&T Liners - If you can not gain access to a serger to create the preferable tri-fold serged liner, as a secondary option you can sew T&T liners.
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Drawstring Bag Instructions - She'll use this to carry her kit to school and/or work, for years (rev May 20, 2015). Review the Quality Points for sewing the Drawstring Bag in this document.
Labels for the DfG Drawstring Bag can be ordered from our Online Kit Resources Shop!
*What does for DfG use mean? It means that you are agreeing to use them for serving girls, women and communities, not for personal profit and that you will attribute DfG so that more awareness and reach to communities can happen. Why patent pending? Because that protects growing local DfG Enterprises around the globe.
Fabric Notes: The girls love color! Fabric type, color, and design is VERY IMPORTANT. Fabric specifications for each item are given in the Shield, Liner and Drawstring bag Instructions. Please refer to those documents for details when selecting fabric.
Each washable Regular Days for Girls kit contains:
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2 shields,
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8 liners,
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2 pair of panties (girls size 10 - 14),
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a washcloth,
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an unwrapped hotel-sized bar of soap,
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two one-gallon sized Ziploc Freezer bags,
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Usage pictorial and Menstrual Chart (pdf below),
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a drawstring bag to contain kit items and maintain privacy.
Each kit lasts up to 3 years with proper care.
Whether you sew entire kits or specialize in one item, it all adds up to life-changing DAYS and dignity for girls and women.
Regular DfG Kits
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Click here to see more details about Regular DfG kits.
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Assembling a Regular DfG kit video here
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How to pack a Regular DfG kit document here
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Regular DfG Kit Pictorial sheet insert document here
Heavy Flow DfG Kits
Note: Heavy Flow DfG Kits have a different combination of liners- 8 Regular DfG Liners and 4 Heavy Flow Liners.
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Packing a Heavy Flow Kit visual instructions here
Soap
To wrap or not to wrap? Yes, even that small detail was considered with feedback from the field. The verdict is in: Days for Girls International has determined that soap wrappers cause unnecessary trash in communities that often are ill-equipped to deal with trash. Consideration was given to using a different type of wrapper, fabric for example; however, this was deemed unnecessary. Eventually, a wrapper of any sort becomes trash. Our time is best utilized in making the necessary elements of the kit. Unwrapped soap does not cause harmful residue on the shield. Scents? Generally the girls and women love the scent some soaps give to their new DfG Kit.
When assembling kits, please unwrap the soap and insert it into the shield pocket as usual. Place the unfolded instruction sheet face-up on top of the stack of 5 liners. Do details matter? Sure! And your efforts with DfGI make a tremendous difference for girls, women and communities.
THANK YOU for all your efforts!