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Member since 2/24/04
Posts: 41
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Posted on: 6/9/10 3:20 PM ET
hi, everyone,

In cleaning out a closet, I found a nice linen jacket I bought about 15 years ago -- still in good shape, fits, but the shoulder pads are way out of date.

I've seen several tailor shops in Concord and Manchester, does anyone have any recommendations?

Many thanks,
Maia
  
Member since 3/16/07
Posts: 888
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Posted on: 6/10/10 11:18 AM ET
In reply to Maia
Sorry I can't answer directly, but if you just want to change out the shoulder pads, that's an easy alteration. Any dry cleaner that offers alterations should be able to do it ok.

If you want to do it yourself, you need to open the lining for about 6in. to a foot somewhere. Good candidates are one of the vertical seams under the arm or along the hem. The shoulder pads are likely just tacked in by hand, and are easy to remove. It might be a good idea to pull and replace one so you can use the other to show you how.

To sew in the new ones, you can secure the armscye edge to the seam allowance by hand, then tack the inner point to the seam allowance of the shoulder seam. You can just use a double thread on a hand needle, and sew maybe 5 to 10 tacks through the point. Then close up your hole in the lining by hand. The hem may be stitched by hand to start with, making it all easier.
  
Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 13915
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Posted on: 6/10/10 1:14 PM ET
In reply to Maia
There is more to be done than just changing the shoulder pads. The whole shoulder structure is going to be wider and higher than you want. I am not sure that this is really doable. At least it won't work to just change out the shoulder pads.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 7/19/03
Posts: 3916
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Posted on: 6/10/10 5:26 PM ET
The only time reducing shoulder pads has worked for me is if they were so exaggerated to begin with that the angle of my shoulders pointed up with the full pads in them.... (and this happens to me regularly because my shoulders are quite square....)

If you are happy with the general look and fit of the jacket now, removing or reducing the pads will just make the whole jacket look droopy.
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
  
Member since 9/5/06
Posts: 16
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Posted on: 6/12/10 10:30 AM ET
In reply to Maia
I live in Concord. Pricilla's, in Concord, has been around for a very long time. I do not kow if they do the type of work that you want on your jacket. I would think that a phone call to ask about what they can do for you would be worth your time. I did use them years ago, when I needed something done in a timely manner and did not have the time or the inclination to do it myself. I was very pleased with the work though it wasn't anything as complicated as you describe - some ladies suit jacket sleeve hems and the like.

Christine
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Christine
  
Member since 2/24/04
Posts: 41
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Posted on: 6/12/10 11:08 AM ET
Tom P, Nancy K, goodworks1, and funkyjazzdesign, thank you all so much for your excellent responses and advice. After thinking about it carefully, I think I will try Priscilla's -- if she doesn't think it can be done, then I surely can't do it! We live in Plymouth, about 40 miles north, and my sister lives in Concord, so it's an easy trip.

Many, many thanks,
Maia
  
Member since 5/10/10
Posts: 423
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Posted on: 6/12/10 11:26 PM ET
I would think that after you remove the shoulder pads, the shoulder seam would need to be drafted down at an angle. The sleeves would then need to be redrafted as well.
  
Member since 2/24/04
Posts: 41
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Posted on: 6/13/10 11:12 AM ET
Nancy,thanks for your suggestion. That is what I am thinking too. Despite being very tempted to give it a try, I am going to call Priscilla's in Concord tomorrow and schedule an appointment. The body of the jacket fits really well, and the color blue goes with many of my clothes, so it is worth a try!

Thanks again,
Maia
  
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