How to stretch a leather jacket at home?

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Leather clothing can last for many years and still look as elegant as the first day it was made. That is why it practically never goes out of fashion, and even the styles do not change very significantly over time. However, sometimes troubles happen with raincoats, coats and jackets made of this wonderful material. In particular, they can shrink, or, on the contrary, stretch. It also happens that an online store sent a product that is slightly smaller than needed. How to stretch a leather jacket at home? Read about it in our article.

When to stretch?

Is it always possible to increase the size of leather or vinyl clothing? In many cases this is possible. Of course, there is no hope that it will be possible to turn a child’s jacket into an adult’s or at least a teenager’s one. But stretching a size 42 product to 44 or even 46 is quite possible.

There is nothing stopping you from trying to correct the situation if your jacket or coat has shrunk somewhat after being soaked in the rain and not dried properly. But in this case, you will have to take other measures - for example, the skin will need to be cleaned and softened. By the way, no less interesting is the question of how to stretch a vinyl jacket at home. The means used are almost the same, because vinyl is what is usually called leatherette.

Helpful Tips:

For rough skin, a special spray is more suitable, but keep in mind that in this case you will have to spend quite a lot of time.
After finishing the treatment, you need to apply glycerin to the leather products, which adds shine.

Important! If none of the tips helped and the item is hopelessly small for you, use our collection of ideas and recommendations:
What can you make from an old leather jacket?
DIY leather jewelry.
How to choose a leather jacket?

Special means

In any decent shoe store you will find a special leather spray. It is most often suitable for vinyl. It's very easy to use. Stretching a jacket is not much different from stretching shoes, so first you need to carefully read the instructions. The most important thing is indicated there: how long the process takes. Usually everything takes about a couple of hours. You also need a thick sweater - the thicker the better.

The sequence of actions itself will be something like this:

Lay the jacket on a horizontal surface - preferably on a table, face up.
Apply the spray to the outside.
Wear a thick sweater.
Put on your jacket.
Walk around in this form for as long as it is written in the instructions for the spray.

The procedure is not very pleasant, and it is better to carry it out with the windows completely open. You can also take a walk if the weather is dry. If it was not possible to immediately achieve the desired result, the treatment can be repeated several more times.

Some nuances

The process of stretching leather clothing using sprays is not too complicated in itself. But there may be subtleties that should be taken into account. For example, these:

the jacket has no lining;
the skin is too hard.

Option 1

The absence of a lining makes life much easier. To stretch a leather jacket at home, you can spray the item on both sides at once, and this will enhance the effect of the substance, which means it will increase the chance of quickly achieving the desired result.

Option 2

If the skin is hard, processing will take a little longer:

The surface should be covered with a thick layer of spray.
It is necessary to let the jacket sit for a while so that the substance is absorbed, and only then put it on.
The chance of immediately stretching the tough skin to the desired size is minimal, so it is more than likely that the procedure will have to be repeated several times.

If you need to stretch part of the jacket

It happens that a product does not fit in just one place. Most often these are the shoulders. In this case, you won't have to wear a jacket. But you need larger hangers than the ones you always use:

Hang the item on a large hanger.
Apply the spray to the area to be stretched.
Lightly stretch the skin in this area.
Leave the jacket to hang for a couple of hours.
Try on the product and repeat the procedure if necessary.

Soap

Another simple and cheap way to stretch a leather jacket at home is a soapy shower. You will need:

spray;
soap;
warm water;
A measuring cup will help a lot, but, in principle, you can do without it;
deep cup;
funnel (can be made from paper).

Important! Any soap is suitable, but unscented laundry soap is best. The water should be warm, but not hot. The ideal option is 40-50°C.

As in the previous case, you need a thick sweater. Essentially, a soap solution replaces a spray:

Dissolve 1 part soap in 4 parts water.
Mix the solution thoroughly.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle - sometimes this can be done simply from a cup, but quite often a funnel is required. To make it, roll a piece of thick paper into a bag and cut off a corner.
Treat only the outside of the jacket, or the outside and inside if the item does not have a lining.
Put on a sweater, a jacket over it, and walk around for a couple of hours until your skin dries.

This method is suitable for products made of natural and at the same time quite soft leather. If the material is hard, it is better to use other types. You won't be able to stretch a vinyl jacket this way either.

Important! You can also stretch the jacket with soap on a hanger, but in this case you should not allow it to touch the furniture.

Straightening by steaming

If the first two methods did not help, then you can straighten your leather jacket using steam. To steam the product, you will need a steamer or iron with the appropriate function. Now you just need to direct the steam at the product from a distance of 20 centimeters. The jacket will be as good as new.

If there is no such device, then you need to hang the jacket on a hanger and take it to the bathroom. Then turn on the hot water tap, close the door and wait a while. As a result of the created greenhouse effect, the product will smooth out very quickly.

Vegetable oil

Another simple but very effective way to increase the size of leather clothing is vegetable oil. Any is suitable:

sunflower;
olive;
castor;
corn.

Important! The best option is castor oil, which will not only stretch the skin, but also soften it much more effectively than others.

For processing, you will also need napkins and a bowl, as well as long tweezers or a stick. The procedure itself will be as follows:

Pour oil into a bowl.
Bring it to a boil.
Take the napkin with tweezers or wrap it around a stick.
Soak it with vegetable oil.
Lubricate the surface you want to stretch.
Wear a jacket over a thick sweater and walk around for a couple of hours.
Do not forget to periodically lubricate particularly tight areas with oil during the process.

Important! For products made of thin leather, which, moreover, do not have a lining, this method is not suitable - oil may seep through and stains will remain on the sweater.

If the jacket has become stiff

If, after improper drying, the jacket not only shrinks, but also becomes stiff, you will have to take drastic measures. You will need:

hot water;
glycerol;
large pelvis;
a lot of plastic bags;
a lot of old clothes and just rags;
scotch.

Important! The water should be very hot - it is best not to mix it with cold.

Procedure:

Fill the basin with water, do not close the tap completely.
Place the jacket in the basin until it sinks completely.
Apply low pressure, place the basin under the tap and leave it all alone for one and a half to two hours, just make sure that the hole in the bath is open.
Wait until the item is completely saturated - you can tell by the color, the jacket will become completely monochromatic.
After a couple of hours, take out the product and touch the skin - it should be warm and soft.
Button up your jacket.
Fill plastic bags with rags and old clothes.
Tape them tightly.
Fill your jacket with bags, not forgetting the sleeves.

Important! You need to stuff it very tightly, preventing air from entering.

Hang the product on a hanger and dry it in the fresh air, but in a place well protected from direct sunlight.
After the jacket has dried (and this will happen in about 12 hours), take it indoors and treat it with glycerin.

Important! It is best to lubricate with glycerin using a sponge or a piece of cotton wool wrapped in cotton cloth. The entire surface must be covered with this substance. Glycerin has the amazing property of drawing out excess moisture and softening the skin. You need to apply several layers without taking out bags of rags.

After this, hang the jacket again on hangers in the fresh air and wait 14-16 hours - during this time the glycerin will be completely absorbed. Only after this can you get the stuffing.

How to do this at home?

Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that the shoes are actually made of leather. Some methods of softening materials are great for leatherette, but can hopelessly ruin a pair of genuine leather.

In length

Masters say that leather shoes can only be stretched in width.

However, there are ways that refute this thesis and help to slightly stretch shoes or boots in length.

Important ! Genuine leather is an elastic and pliable material. Unlike leatherette, it does not crack or create creases, so you can try to deal with the problem of chafing yourself.

Proven methods for stretching shoes lengthwise:

Hot water . You will need a small amount of hot water, but not boiling water - you need to rinse the inside of your shoes with it, put them on your feet and walk around the house until they dry completely. During this time, the material will take the shape of the foot, and wearing the shoes will become more comfortable.
Vegetable oil . Moisten a cotton swab with sunflower, olive or vegetable oil and wipe the shoes with it both inside and outside. Then spread it around the house in the same way as in the point above - two to three hours will be enough for the material to become more pliable.
Wet newspapers. Boil water in a wide container and hold the shoes over the steam for several minutes. Next, stuff each item very tightly with wet newspapers, trying not to distort the original shape of the model. Once the newspapers are completely dry, you can remove them and try on the stretched shoes.
Ice. Pour enough water into a sealed plastic bag so that it fits in one shoe, and the water fills it completely from toe to heel. Place the bags in the shoes and place the pair in the freezer for one day. Water tends to expand when frozen, thereby causing the leather material to stretch.

After a day, remove the shoes and leave until the liquid has completely thawed.

You cannot immediately take out the ice pack - there is a risk of damaging your shoes or boots.

Important ! You cannot dry shoes when stretched on a radiator or in direct sunlight, otherwise their shape may become deformed.

Width

It is much easier to stretch boots, sneakers or shoes in width than in length.

The shoes themselves tend to stretch across the width of the foot while being worn, but you can force this process to speed up:

Thick socks . Wet thick socks made of natural fabric in warm water, wring them out thoroughly and put them on your feet. Then put on your shoes and walk in your shoes until your socks are dry. A worn-out model should be stuffed with dry newspapers or rags, which will absorb any remaining moisture.
Grain . Pour oats, pearl barley or any other cereal into the shoes and add water until it completely covers the contents. The moistened grain will begin to swell, expanding it from the inside. Shoes or boots should be left in this condition for at least 12 hours.
Alcohol . A popular folk method of stretching shoes, which helps in most cases. To do this, you need to lubricate your shoes inside and out with an alcohol-containing solution, put them on a thick sock and walk around the apartment for a couple of hours.

Important ! To stretch shoes, you can use a spray bottle with vodka or diluted alcohol. In this way it is convenient to apply the solution to all surfaces of the shoes.

How to stretch leather shoes wide is shown in the video:

Increase by size

To stretch the shoe to fit, you will have to add a few millimeters in length and width to the product. You can use the methods indicated above in several combinations, for example, wet newspapers and alcohol .

A reliable way to increase the width of your favorite pair is to contact an experienced shoe repair specialist:

Masters use special heated metal lasts - shoes are put on them and gradually stretched to the desired size under the influence of high temperatures.
Experienced craftsmen will be able to accurately calculate the degree of heating and holding time so that the products are not damaged.

stretching spray in shoe stores The chemical components of its composition actively interact with the leather material, softening and stretching it.

The spray creates foam during the spraying process, which is easily distributed over the surface. Apply the product to the inside of the shoes, and then be sure to wear socks.

Reference ! In order for the products to stretch as much as possible, you can not only walk in them, but also squat deeply, trying to lift your heels off the ground.

You can increase your shoe size using a hair dryer :

To do this, you need to put the thickest socks on your feet and try to squeeze into the shoes.
Based on your sensations, you need to determine the narrowest and most uncomfortable place in the model - direct the hot jet of a hairdryer to this area for 30 seconds.
At the same time, you should try to make stretching movements to speed up the process.
When the material has cooled, you need to take off your thick socks and try to wear the model in the usual way.

If the discomfort does not disappear, the procedure will have to be repeated.

Good results are achieved with special stretching pads , which can be purchased in the online store. In configuration, they resemble ordinary wooden blocks, but are equipped with a screw mechanism for forceful expansion of the style.

Most often, they are sold complete with convex stickers, with the help of which it is possible to regulate the level of stretching and control pinching areas.

Important ! Stretched skin becomes more fragile and brittle, so after procedures, especially thermal ones, it is recommended to lubricate shoes with rich shoe polish or Vaseline.

Watch the video in which a master shoemaker explains how to best stretch shoes:

Another method with soap

You can stretch the jacket in another way. As in the previous case, you will need bags of clothes. It is better to take soap, shampoo or gel without fragrances. For 200 g of liquid soap, take 300 g of hot water, mix it all thoroughly. Next, we proceed in the following sequence, if you need to stretch a leather jacket:

Soak the leather item in hot water for an hour.
In this case, you need to constantly maintain the temperature, that is, drown the jacket in a basin, and place the basin under a tap from which hot water flows with weak pressure.
Spread plastic film on the floor (for example, the kind intended for greenhouses and hotbeds).
Secure the film with tape.
Take out your jacket.
Apply soapy water to it.
Also treat the inside, and you need to apply a lot of solution.
Stuff a zipped jacket with bags and leave it on the floor to dry.

A leather jacket has stretched - what to do?

Owners of leather products often face the exact opposite problems. Long wear may cause some areas to stretch. It is not difficult to cope with this scourge. There are several ways:

suturing individual fragments or entire products;
take it to the dry cleaner.

Sewing a leather jacket

This can be done if you have some sewing experience. If the leather jacket has not stretched very much, you can do the following:

Support the lining at the bottom.
Open the side seams.
Topstitch them, increasing the allowances by 0.5 or 1 cm.
Do the same with the side seams of the lining.
Stitch the bottom.

How to properly stretch a jacket made of natural or artificial leather - the most effective ways

A leather jacket is an indispensable item in the wardrobe of any person - both men and women. It is comfortable to wear and suitable for almost any weather. One of the qualities of leather clothing is its ability to stretch. But not everyone knows how to stretch a leather jacket if, for example, it has shrunk. There are several ways to stretch new leather items. The choice of method mainly depends on the type of clothing material - natural or artificial, as well as the degree of leather hardness.