Often times in a 40's pattern, you'll see you need shoulder pads. It will usually tell you to purchase one, create one, or create one from a handy little tutorial in the instruction sheet.
100% of the time, you need stuffing.
Now, I don't have any stuffing like what is described; in sheets. So I played around with scraps I had, and got something to work just as well.
You will need:
Muslin
Fashion Fabric
Bias tape
Ruler
Pencil
And your sewing machine.
Lengthwise, mark your muslin (folded over) 5.5 inches.
Mark 2 inches heightwise
Curve the top, pin together and cut out.
Pin to the fashion fabric, cut out, and repeat for your other shoulder pad.
Sandwich the two layers of muslin between your fashion fabric, and sew it about 1/4 inch away from the edge, and go around.
I go about three rows, then stop, but you could go more for a more structured pad.
Attach bias-tape around the edge, and sew it on, then sew it closed.
Sew it in your garment, and you're done!
I've made this kind of shoulder pad on a couple other outfits I've sewn, and I absolutely love it. I'm plotting to make some in a few basic colors, just to have about for future garments I create or buy.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments, or send me an email.
Let me know if you make this style of shoulder pad as well!!
Labels: 1940's, how-to, sewing, tutorial
