Leather jackets are fashionable clothing that can be combined with various types of clothing. It can also be worn for practical purposes, such as protecting your skin while riding a motorcycle or keeping your body cool in hot weather. Unfortunately, these fashionable clothes sometimes don't fit the body so they look too big and bulky. Fortunately, there are several ways to shrink a jacket, such as washing it manually, washing it in a washing machine, or taking it to a tailor. Instead of throwing the jacket away or stashing it in the closet, consider reducing it to a size that fits snugly on your body.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Shrink Jacket in Bath
Step 1. Fill a large plastic bucket with warm water, then place it in the bath
You should use a plastic bucket, as the dye in the leather jacket will dissolve when soaked and can stain the surface of the bath. For the same reason, you should also wear rubber gloves to prevent the dye from getting on your hands.
- You can buy plastic buckets online or at the nearest shopping mall and grocery store.
- Purchase a bucket of at least 125 liters or one large enough to cover the entire jacket.
- You'll need to fill the bucket halfway or until it's enough to completely submerge the jacket.
Step 2. Soak your jacket in water and rub the dye until it bleeds
Soak the jacket in the water for five to ten minutes. Some of the dye in the jacket will dissolve naturally. Rub the entire surface of the jacket so that more dye will run off.
This process will make the leather material absorb more water so that its size can be reduced
Step 3. Squeeze the remaining water from the jacket
Once the jacket is finished soaking, remove it from the bucket and wring it out. Make sure you squeeze it over the bucket so the color doesn't splash all over the place. Get as much water out of the jacket as possible before continuing with the process.
Step 4. Let your jacket dry on a towel for two days
Spread out a clean towel, then place your leather jacket on it. When the towel is soaking wet, replace it with a new one and turn your jacket over so it can dry all over. Store the jacket in a dry area. If you put it in the sun or other heat source, the jacket will shrink quickly so it may become too small.
You can also use a hairdryer to speed up the process. Understand that this can cause the jacket size to shrink even more
Method 2 of 3: Shrink a Jacket in a Washing Machine
Step 1. Wash your jacket in the washing machine
Place your leather jacket in the washing machine, then start the machine on the regular wash setting and cold water. Be sure to wash the jacket separately from the rest of the clothes, as the leaching dye can stain other clothes. You don't need to add detergent to shrink the jacket.
Step 2. Squeeze the water out of the jacket after washing it in the washing machine
The jacket will feel very wet after machine washing. Remove excess water from the jacket to allow it to dry faster and prevent potential damage, such as watermarks, on the surface.
Squeezing the jacket can also create a fashionable-looking crease line on your jacket
Step 3. Put your jacket in the dryer, then turn it on on a medium heat setting
Putting a leather jacket in the dryer while it's still wet will make it shrink. Once the tumble dryer is done, take out your jacket and try it on. If it's still too big, repeat the above process until it's a better fit.
Method 3 of 3: Professionally Shrink Jackets at the Tailor
Step 1. Find a tailor online for leather garments
Look for tailors who have special skills to modify leather garments in your area. Leather jackets are very difficult to modify, so you need the services of an experienced tailor. Most ordinary tailors cannot afford to modify a leather jacket.
- Read reviews of tailors in your area and look for tailors who get positive reviews.
- If you are having trouble finding a tailor who specializes in leather, contact the store where you purchased the jacket and ask them for recommendations.
Step 2. Visit the tailor and ask him to take your measurements
Once you find a suitable leather tailor, visit the shop and ask him to take your measurements. You may already know your own body measurements, but those measurements may have changed since the last time you were measured.
- If you are in a hurry, contact the tailor in advance by phone to arrange an appointment.
- The tailor will measure your neck, chest, waist, shoulders, arms and wrists.
Step 3. Tell the tailor what size jacket you want
Think about the modifications you want before going to the tailor. For example, you may want to modify the shoulders, shorten the sleeves, or reduce the waist. A leather tailor will try to fulfill your wishes and change the shape of the jacket to make it more comfortable to wear.
- If you are on a tight budget, ask in advance for the estimated cost to make modifications.
- If you're not sure what kind of modification you want, ask the tailor for advice.
Step 4. Take the modified jacket
Since modifying leather is quite difficult, you will usually need to wait longer than other material modification processes. The tailor will usually call and let them know if the jacket is ready to be picked up. When you come to the store, make sure you try on the jacket first to make sure it's the right size. Depending on the number of modifications made, this can take up to three weeks.
- Be sure to wear additional protective equipment if you wear a leather jacket while riding a motorcycle.
- The cost of modifications to leather materials varies widely, but usually ranges from IDR 1,000,000 to IDR 3,000,000.
- It is better to give a tip to the tailor.
Warning
- Soaking a leather jacket or washing it in a machine can fade the color and leave water marks.
- There is no way to accurately determine the size of a jacket after it has been reduced by washing or soaking.
- If you're wearing a jacket that's still wet, the dye could run off onto your clothes.
