I have a small collection of hockey jerseys from various players and teams. Most of the jerseys fit snugly, but there are a couple of exceptions. The first is the Dallas Stars’ jersey from the 2017-18 season. The fit is actually more like oversized t-shirt than an actual jersey. I guess it’s the material or the design that makes this particular jersey big on me.
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The Solution
There are several options available to me when it comes to shrinking my collection of hockey jerseys. The first is to wash them. When wet, most materials become smaller. Some are even reversible, so I can shrink them one way and then later wash them again to reverse the effects of the water.
Other than that, there are a few other options. One of the best was suggested to me by a long-time listener of the podcast: Use your iron. If you have an iron, you can use it to create a custom size for your jerseys. You just have to be careful not to touch the garment while the iron is heating up.
The Results
I tried out the iron route with my Dallas Stars jersey. Since the first wash shrunk the jersey so drastically, I knew that this would be a good opportunity to try out the process again. However, this time I used the dryer instead of the washer. This is what makes the difference. When done right, the fabric becomes thick and heavy, almost like leather. This is exactly how I like my jerseys. It shrinks them significantly, but does not damage the garment in any way.
Another great thing about this process is that you can use it to recondition some of your old jerseys. Take for example, my Colorado Avalanche jersey. This is the perfect opportunity to give it a second life as a stylish hat or even a cozy sweater. After all, the sweater itself is very versatile and can be worn in several ways.
The same goes for my Boston Bruins jersey and the Edmonton Oilers’ jersey as well. These three jerseys were all big on me when they were new, but they have seen too many washes and have too many memories tied to them to be considered regular clothing items anymore. Nevertheless, I still wear them from time to time when I don’t feel like dressing up in my standard clothes.
What Is The Process?
When using your iron to make a custom size for your jerseys, you have to follow a simple process. The first step is to take the jersey you want to alter and lay it out on a table or flat surface. Make sure the garment is facing up and that the front is placed toward you. This will ensure that the material does not move while you are pressing the buttons.
The second step is to decide on how much you want to shrink the material. Be careful not to go too far or else the collar will become unattached and the jersey won’t fit anymore. When you reach this point, you can take a break and come back to it later. The best thing about this step is that you can always take some additional material and make the fit better. Sometimes it’s the material itself that’s the issue and other times it’s the design. Certainty never hurts when trying to fit a design on a garment. Take, for example, the Minnesota Wild’s jersey from the 2018-19 season. While this jersey is very fashionable and fits well, I find the color to be a bit much for me as a fan of the Wild. This particular shade of green clashes with my hair and my eyes perfectly. As a result, I don’t wear the jersey as often as I would like. Fortunately, the color is also available in a black shade, which is a great alternative for those who can’t live without a touch of shiny color in their wardrobe.
A Few Things To Keep In Mind
When using your iron to make a custom size for your jerseys, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, use the right iron. You don’t want to use an ordinary kitchen appliance because they heat up very quickly and you might end up burning yourself or your clothing. Also, make sure that the material is completely dry before wearing it again. This will ensure that there are no traces of water left on the garment and that it doesn’t appear to be worn before. Another tip is to take your time. Don’t rush the process and cause unnecessary damage to the garment. Let the iron do its work and take the time to ensure that the fit is perfect before moving on to the next step.
One last thing you should keep in mind is that this is a personal choice and it’s not for everyone. You should only try out this process if you are certain that you will like the results and if you are comfortable with your body. Using your iron to make a custom size for your jerseys is a great option for those who want to have a unique piece of clothing but maybe feel a little uncomfortable with their existing sizes. It’s always a great feeling to find a piece of clothing that perfectly matches your body types. Don’t give much thought to what other people will say about you because of your small size, as long as you feel happy inside then that’s all that matters.
What do you think? Would you try out this process to make your clothing smaller? If so, what sizes do you feel is best? Please let me know in the comments below. Until next time, thanks for reading and happy jogging!