Are Shoulder Pads Really Back? Try This Fun Shoulder Pad T-Shirt Hack

Tools and materials:

• Sewing yarn
• Shoulder pads
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• T-shirt
• Pins
• Needle

1. Measure and cut the t-shirt sleeve

First, lay your t-shirt out flat. I’m using a t-shirt that is a size bigger than I would usually wear, which will make the shoulder pads more obvious.

Position your shoulder pad on the t-shirt. Then, measure 13-14cm (5.12-5.51 inches) along the top of the sleeve and 6-7cm (2.36-2.76inches) under the sleeve. Cut off the end of the sleeve.

2. Check the fit of the shoulder pads

Insert the shoulder pad to check that it fits nicely.

3. Hem the edges

Fold the sleeves in twice and hem the edges. You can do this either by hand-stitching or using a sewing machine.

4. Sew the shoulder pad into the sleeve

Insert the shoulder pad into the t-shirt, with the curved side at the neckline end and the flat side at the sleeve end. Pin in place, then hand-stitch the shoulder pad onto the t-shirt by sewing right into the t-shirt sleeve seam.

Secure the end of the stitching underneath.

Your shoulder pad t-shirt should look something like this.

5. Hide the edges

However, you might have some messy edges at the under part of the sleeve. Fold the edges in, pin them, then sew them down.

Repeat the whole process for the second sleeve.

DIY shoulder pad t-shirt tutorial

Here’s the finished result. I hope you enjoyed this DIY shoulder pad t-shirt tutorial.

I love how adding shoulder pads to a regular shirt really defines my shoulders, lifts my frame, and creates an hourglass silhouette. If you can’t get shoulder pads, bra pads can create the same effect too!

Let me know in the comments if you like this look and whether you’ll try this easy shoulder pad hack on one of your own t-shirts.