Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (2024)

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1Cutting the Lining of Your Jacket

2Sewing the Hole Closed

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Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

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Co-authored byHannah Madden

Last Updated: September 16, 2021ReferencesTested

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Going to the thrift store and picking up a jacket for cheap is a great way to find expensive, fashionable items without a huge price tag. However, jackets made in decades past often come with tall, boxy shoulder pads that make your shoulders look more pointed and square. If that’s not quite the look you are going for, you can modernize your jacket in under an hour to make your jacket look and feel brand new.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cutting the Lining of Your Jacket

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  1. 1

    Lay your coat out flat with the shoulder pads visible. Choose a flat surface, like the floor or a table, to work on. Spread out your jacket and open up the front so that you can see the area where the shoulder pads are.[1]

    • You can turn your jacket all the way inside out, but you don’t have to.
  2. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (5)

    2

    Rip the seam open that contains the padding with a seam ripper. Feel around for the area that contains the actual “pad” of the shoulder pad. Use a seam ripper to cut off the thread that is holding the shoulder pad closed. Try to make the hole as small as you can to avoid unnecessary stitch work later on.[2]

    • Try not to rip 2 seams that cross over each other, or it will create more work for you later on since you’ll have to sew a hole up in 2 directions.

    Variation: Some shoulder pads are made separately from the coat and then sewn inside of the jacket with a few stitches. If your shoulder pad is a separate piece and not inside the lining of your coat, just rip the threads that connect them and remove the shoulder pad.

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  3. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (6)

    3

    Pull the pads out until you can see how they are connected to the coat. Reach into the hole you created and grab the pad or stuffing inside. Pull it out of the hole until you can see how it has been sewn into your jacket.[3]

    • Most shoulder pads are connected to the inside of the jacket with 2 to 3 strands of thread. However, some are sewn into the actual lining of the jacket.
  4. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (7)

    4

    Cut the 2 to 3 threads that attach each pad to your jacket. Use scissors to carefully snip the threads that are holding the pads to your jacket without removing any of the thread in the lining. Use caution so you don’t poke a hole in your jacket or tear the lining further.[4]

  5. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (8)

    5

    Cut around the edge of each pad if they are sewn into the actual lining. If your shoulder pad is attached to the lining of your jacket with a long line of stitches, it’s best to leave the majority intact so you don’t rip a hole in your jacket. Use scissors to cut around the area that’s sewn into the jacket and remove the parts of the shoulder pad that aren’t sewn down.[5]

    • This may leave some slight padding in the shoulders of your jacket, but it will remove the majority of the shoulder pads.
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Part 2

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Sewing the Hole Closed

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  1. 1

    Choose a thread color that matches the lining of your coat. Even though the hole is on the inside of your jacket, try to find a thread color that will blend in easily. Take a look at the color of the thread in the rest of the lining to find a match.[6]

    • Since you’ll be sewing on the inside of your jacket, the color doesn’t have to match perfectly. For example, if your lining is light brown, going with a dark brown thread color is fine.
  2. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (11)

    2

    Thread your needle with 12in (30cm) of sewing thread. Pull a 12in (30cm) length of thread through the eye of your needle and then tie the ends of the thread together. Make sure your knot is tight so the thread doesn’t come loose as you are sewing.[7]

  3. 3

    Press the lining together over the hole to close it. Grab the 2 sides of the lining of your jacket and bring them together so they line up. If you need to, add a sewing pin to keep them in place. Otherwise, just hold the hole closed with your fingers as you sew.[8]

    • Since the hole is pretty small, you probably won’t need to use a sewing pin.
  4. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (13)

    4

    Stitch the seam back together with a whipstitch. Start at 1 end of the hole and poke your needle through both layers of lining. Bring your needle up and over the seam of the lining, then poke it through again right next to your original hole. Continue stitching this way until the entire hole is closed up.[9]

    • A whipstitch will hold your lining together more securely than any other stitch.
  5. Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (14)

    5

    Tie off the thread and cut off the excess. Make sure the knot in your thread is secure so your stitches don’t unravel. Use sharp scissors to cut off any excess thread that’s left so it doesn’t tickle you when you put on your jacket.[10]

    Tip: The stitches you made in your jacket should hold for a while as long as you take gentle care of your jacket and follow the washing instructions on the label. If your stitches do open up again, simply add a few more whip stitches to close up the hole.

  6. 6

    Iron or steam your jacket to remove the boxy shape. Read the care instructions on the label of your jacket to make sure it’s safe to use heat on. Then, iron or steam the shoulders of your jacket so they lay flat and don’t stay in a boxy, padded shape.[11]

    • Jackets without shoulder pads look much more modern and chic.
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      Tips

      • The shoulder pads are on the inside of your jacket, so your stitches don’t have to be perfect. Even if you aren’t the best at hand-sewing, you can still do this project.

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      Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (16)

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      Things You’ll Need

      • Seam ripper
      • Scissors
      • Sewing needle
      • Thread
      • Iron or steamer

      More References (2)

      About This Article

      Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (27)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. This article has been viewed 38,684 times.

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      Co-authors: 3

      Updated: September 16, 2021

      Views:38,684

      Categories: Clothing

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      Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (28)

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      Simple Ways to Take Shoulder Pads Out of a Jacket: 11 Steps (2024)

      FAQs

      How do you remove a pad from a jacket? ›

      Use scissors to carefully snip the threads that are holding the pads to your jacket without removing any of the thread in the lining. Use caution so you don't poke a hole in your jacket or tear the lining further. Cut around the edge of each pad if they are sewn into the actual lining.

      Can you take out the shoulders of a suit jacket? ›

      Can the shoulders of a jacket be taken-in (made smaller)? Sure, but there are limitations and it's a lot of work, which means it's expensive. The more you take-in the shoulder, the more you have to reshape the armhole, sleeve head, and chest to accommodate.

      Are shoulder pads in jackets out of style? ›

      The heavy padded shoulder on a jacket is not very popular at the moment but still has its place within menswear tailoring. The advantage of these stronger shoulder lines is the creating of a lovely shoulder line. Heavy shoulder padding can also accommodate wider lapels and it accentuates a slim waist.

      Can you remove jacket patches? ›

      Press a hot iron over the patch for 15 seconds. Using your tweezers, pry up a corner of the patch to see if the adhesive has softened. If the glue remains hard, cover the patch and heat again until the patch can be pried up. Once the adhesive is soft, you should be able to lift off the patch.

      How do you get rid of pads at home? ›

      As a thumb rule, sanitary pads should never be flushed down the toilet because it may clog the drainage system and lead to flooding of the toilet. After use, a disposable sanitary pad or a tampon should be wrapped in a newspaper or toilet paper and put in a garbage bin.

      Are shoulder pads in style in 2022? ›

      Shoulder pads come and go in fashion like a tide, though this time the tide is IN! Power suiting has been mixed with more masculine elements that are new such as the rise in the necktie for women. The business code is structural but oversized – a combination I've long been obsessed with.

      What are the buttons on the shoulders of jackets for? ›

      "They were originally designed to keep back packs, ammunition pouches or bayonets from slipping off the shoulder. They often display badges of rank, shoulder marks, regimental insignia or epaulettes." So there you go!

      How do you break in a jacket fast? ›

      Bend your arms, find a punching bag, or do some pushups, anything you can to get some wrinkles in the right places while the jacket is wet until it dries on you. If you can't wait for the weather, lightly spritzing the jacket with water will work too, but just be sure to do it slowly and not to drench it.

      What are the basic construction methods of the shoulder pads? ›

      Shoulder pad arches are conventionally plastic materials formed by compression molding. After compression molding, the materials are heated to bend the component into an arch.

      What are the two types of shoulder pads? ›

      There are two styles of football shoulder pads: cantilevered and noncantilevered. Cantilevered pads are bulkier and disperse force into the pads rather than the shoulder. These pads are designed for players that block and tackle.

      Can suit shoulders be taken in? ›

      The line of the shoulders on a suit jacket is where all the magic happens. The shoulders are also nearly impossible to alter once constructed, so we emphasize the fit of the shoulders when trying on jackets.

      Should I remove shoulder pads? ›

      No. The fabric is cut to accommodate the size and shape of the shoulder padding used, and if you take it out the shoulders will appear shrunken and wrinkly. You won't look casual, you will look sloppy.

      Can suit jacket sleeves be let out? ›

      If your suit jacket sleeves are not hitting where you would like, they can be altered to be longer or shorter. Typically, suit jackets have enough seam allowance to allow for 1 - 1.5” of added or reduced length.

      Is it easy to remove shoulder pads from Blazer? ›

      Most shoulder pads are lightly attached to the lining by a few tack stitches. Sometimes shoulder pads are fully sewn into the jacket lining, if this is the case it might be a little bit more difficult to remove.

      What fashion is out in 2022? ›

      Corsets, pearls, lady cardigans, and prim florals show no signs of a slow-down. Embrace this form of head-to-toe elegance for polished occasions like work or a party. Or, flirt with the trend with a single frilled piece combined with leggings and sneakers.

      Are padded jackets in fashion? ›

      In fact, some debate whether wearing fleece or puffer jackets is the superior option for fall and winter! So, yes, puffer jackets are absolutely trendy for fall 2022, and they will probably remain true for the foreseeable future.

      How do you remove a patch without it hurting? ›

      Soak a cotton ball or cotton swab in baby oil. If you don't have baby oil handy, olive oil, petroleum jelly, or baby shampoo will work, too. Next, gently rub it over the bandage until it falls off. You can test to see if it's working by slowly peeling up a corner of the bandage.

      How do you remove glued on patches? ›

      To use this method, soak a cotton ball in the nail polish remover. Then dab the cotton ball closely around the edge of the patch to loosen the glue. Gently lift the patch up as you go. If need be, soak another cotton ball in the nail polish remover and continue dabbing and lifting until the patch is removed.

      How do you remove sticky patches? ›

      "First, check to make sure the glue is dry, then dab clear acetone nail-polish remover onto a cloth and rub it into the leftover glue. The white spots should vanish quickly."

      What to do if you don't want to wear a pad? ›

      Try these alternatives to sanitary pads
      1. Using toilet paper or paper towels: Paper towels can be more absorbent so they won't have to be changed as often. ...
      2. Using a clean sock wrapped in toilet paper: Socks can be more absorbent, but may be bulkier and will likely stain.
      Jul 26, 2020

      How often should you remove your pad? ›

      No matter how light your flow is, or even if there is no flow, bacteria can build up. Changing your pad every 3 or 4 hours (more if your period is heavy) is good hygiene and helps prevent bad odors. This is especially true if you'll be playing sports or rushing around from class to class.

      What not to wear in 2022? ›

      Fashion DOs and DONTs in 2022
      • DON'T: Bell Sleeves. Turn up the volume, but at the right places. ...
      • DO: Monochrome. When in doubt, monochrome will be your saviour! ...
      • DON'T: Prints. Ditch the prints, that style is last season! ...
      • DO: Shimmer. ...
      • DON'T: Super tall heels. ...
      • DO: Windbreaker pants. ...
      • DON'T: Skinny jeans. ...
      • One Last Thought:
      Jul 30, 2022

      Can you still wear skinny jeans? ›

      But you don't need to wait until skinny jeans are at the top of the denim trend list again to wear yours. Here are ways to style your tried-and-true pair to make them look cool in 2022.

      Are skinny jeans out of style? ›

      Although skinny jeans aren't totally trending (yet), L'OFFICIEL makes an argument for digging out that long-forgotten denim look with new styling tricks that just might change your outlook on the slim silhouette. In 2022, celebrities and fashion influencers have certainly found better ways to wear their skinny jeans.

      How do you remove patch from company jacket? ›

      Turn the clothing item or bag inside out to expose the fabric behind the patch. Working over a sink, pour or spray the adhesive remover over the fabric behind the patch. Rub the liquid into the fabric with your fingers or rag. After about a minute, check to see if the patch will peel off or peel off partially.

      Why do suit jackets have shoulder pads? ›

      Shoulder pads are a type of fabric-covered padding used in men's and women's clothing to give the wearer the illusion of having broader and less sloping shoulders.

      What are the things on the shoulders of jackets called? ›

      Shoulder buttons and the piece of flat material they come with are also known as shoulder straps or epaulettes.

      How many buttons are on a jacket cuff? ›

      The current standard around the world is to have four buttons on the cuffs off any type of jacket. This has long been the standard for English tailors, but now it's the most common number of cuff buttons on Italian and American suits.

      What are shoulder buttons called? ›

      Epaulette (/ˈɛpəlɛt/; also spelled epaulet) is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations. Flexible metal epaulettes (usually made from brass) are referred to as shoulder scales.

      How do you relax a stiff jacket? ›

      Fill a large sink with cold water and a wool-friendly liquid detergent. Soak the jacket, squeezing it until the garment is soaked through. Let the jacket sit in the water for a few minutes, then drain the sink. Refill the sink with clean, cool water, and rinse the jacket by squeezing and swirling it in the water.

      How do you stretch a tight jacket? ›

      Using heat

      Another quick method, heat can soften up the leather material and allow the jacket to be stretched naturally. You can place a piece of cotton cloth on the jacket and iron on top of it while keeping the heat level between low and medium. Or you can also use a hairdryer.

      Which way round do shoulder pads go? ›

      Take your shoulder pad and identify the middle. Position this over the shoulder seam of your jacket, on the wrong side, with the straight edge of the shoulder pad aligned with the armscye seam. The straight edge of the shoulder pad should extend slightly beyond the armscye seam, into the sleeve.

      What is a shoulder saver pad? ›

      The Shoulder Saver pad makes the lift similar to board pressing, but it's a lot easier to execute if you train alone, without a training partner. The pad reduces the range of motion and the amount of stress placed on your shoulders. It can be an extremely valuable tool for continued bench-pressing, without pain.

      What is a raglan shoulder pad? ›

      Raglan shoulder pads give a softer outline to a garment and are ideally suited to garments that have a cap sleeve or similar.

      How do you remove graphics from a jacket? ›

      Here are seven effective ways to remove unappealing or outdated screen printing designs from clothing and other items.
      1. Nail Polish Remover Or Acetone. ...
      2. Plastisol Remover. ...
      3. Spot Removal Fluid. ...
      4. Cold-Water Rinse. ...
      5. Iron & Peel. ...
      6. Sugar Scrub. ...
      7. Fade With Washing.
      Feb 14, 2022

      What was the point of shoulder pads? ›

      Shoulder pads are a type of fabric-covered padding used in men's and women's clothing to give the wearer the illusion of having broader and less sloping shoulders. In the beginning, shoulder pads were shaped as a semicircle or small triangle and were stuffed with wool, cotton, or sawdust.

      What is the easiest way to remove decals? ›

      How to Remove Car Decals Without Damaging Paint
      1. Clean It With Soapy Water. Dirt and debris on and around the decal can scratch your car's paint when you start rubbing off the adhesive residue, so you'll want to clean it beforehand. ...
      2. Heat It Up. ...
      3. Peel It Off. ...
      4. Use A Glue Removal Product Or Vinegar. ...
      5. Wash And Dry The Area. ...
      6. Wax It.

      Does rubbing alcohol remove print from clothes? ›

      Get a solvent like rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or adhesive remover. These are common solvents you will be able to find in your house or at a convenience store. Get a bottle that has enough liquid in it to soak the whole area of the clothing that you want to remove printing from.

      What are shoulder pads called? ›

      Epaulette (/ˈɛpəlɛt/; also spelled epaulet) is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations. Flexible metal epaulettes (usually made from brass) are referred to as shoulder scales.

      What is out of fashion 2022? ›

      Insider asked two style experts to share which fashion trends should be left in 2022. Denim-on-denim looks and camo-print clothes are both fading, as are larger sunglasses. They also said high-waisted pants were being replaced by mid- and low-rise varieties.

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