Back in the eighties and nineties when shoulder pads were in style, I almost always removed them from the insides of my blouses and tops. Maybe shoulder pads looked good on a tall skinny model, but I didn’t need to look like a broad-shouldered football player in my stylish shirts. Besides, even the shoulder pads I wanted inside my blouses never stayed in place. I didn’t throw away those shoulder pads. Instead, I saved them for a number of uses in and around the home.
Do you have old shoulder pads lying in your sewing box, or old blouses or tops in your closet that have shoulder pads? Don’t throw them away. Old shoulder pads are actually very useful, and they’re worth saving and using. If you have a collection of old shoulder pads or clothes with shoulder pads that you don’t intend to wear, give these ideas a try. Shoulder pads really are worth keeping and using!
Kneepads for Gardening
Gardening is enjoyable, and it can be very relaxing, but it’s also very hard on the back. Instead of bending over to do gardening chores, it’s easier to kneel, but kneeling for extended periods of time can also be painful and hard on sensitive kneecaps. Old shoulder pads can be sewn together and used as handy knee pads for gardening. Simply sew two equals sides together and attach elastic. Homemade knee pads are washable, and they make gardening much easier on the knees, especially if they’re doubled.
Butterfly Fridge Magnets or Chip Clips
How about using old shoulder pads to make unique fabric butterflies? Simply gather the center of a shoulder pad to create wings, and secure it with a chenille stem. Make a body with a fluffy black chenille stem, and create bendable feelers with a narrow one. Glue on plastic eyes, and decorate the shoulder pad butterfly by gluing on sequins or glitter with fabric glue. A magnet can be attached to the back for a magnetic decoration, or a spring-style clothespin can be attached to make a handy and unique chip clip. No one will ever believe this one-of-a-kind butterfly was made with an old shoulder pad!
Mini Microwave Hot Pads
Just because a dish is labeled as microwave-safe doesn’t mean it won’t get at all hot upon heating. I’ve had microwave-safe dishes that ended up too hot to touch after microwaving, and it was necessary to use hot pads to remove them from the microwave. Old padded inserts are the perfect shape and size to use as mini hot pads. They’re washable, durable, and thick enough to protect fingers from moderately hot bowls and plates.
My cat can turn anything into a toy, and old shoulder pads make fantastic cat toys. Using a short piece of yarn, tie the ends together to make a puffy fabric circle, or gather the center to make a big butterfly. Your cat won’t care that his toy was made from an old shoulder pad. He’ll just be happy to have something new to play with. Store it in a bag of dried catnip for added fun and appeal.
Needle and Pin Holders
Do you need a place to stick unused pins and needles and you don’t have a voodoo doll? Stick them horizontally through the fabric of old shoulder inserts. Better yet, sew two or three shoulder pads together for a handy pincushion. It will be just the right size to hold pins and sewing needles.
Padded Hangers
I have more closet space than drawer space, and for this reason it’s necessary to hang some items I wouldn’t ordinarily hang. To prevent hanger marks on knit clothes I make padded hangers using old shoulder pads. Sew old shoulder pads around the curved ends of hangers and hang up knit items you wouldn’t normally place on hangers. You’ll free up drawer space while putting old shoulder pads to good use.
Cleaning and Polishing
Depending on the material they’re made of, old shoulder pads are good for cleaning and polishing. I have old padded inserts from a flannel shirt, and they’re perfect for polishing wood furniture. Best of all I can toss them into the wash when they’re dirty instead of buying disposable cleaning products that are more wasteful than they are useful.
Ladies, Give Yourself a Lift!
Forget about buying push-up bras. Make your own with a little help from a couple of old shoulder pads! They’re just the right shape and size to provide a little extra lift right where it’s needed, and they’re not at all noticeable through clothing.
