zipper repair

[xela]

I have a winter parka that last fit me six years ago, and now fits again. In the intervening years, I forgot that the other reason I quit wearing it was that the zipper is broken. I've already asked elsewhere for recommendations on a place to have it repaired; for my friends I have a different question:

How hard would this be to do myself? I haven't sewed in years, but I recently bought a cheap basic sewing machine, again, and might as well use it. But I seem to recall that zippers are much harder to get right than they look. And do me they look dead simple: cut out the old one just back of the teeth, sew the new one onto the remaining fabric of the old one with a couple runs of zig-zag, and you're set. I bet I'm wrong, and would rather not find out how wrong by experience....

Comments

Difficult

[gardenfey.livejournal.com]

Your memory is correct, zippers are difficult. The main problem comes from the fact that you have this lumpy part in the middle (the metal/plastic part) that is not meant to go under a regular pressure foot. You'll want to get a zipper foot if you try it. You also may want to buy an ultra-cheap zipper to practice on with some scrap fabric.

Good luck!

Zipper

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Opinion follows.
You can use that technique to get a functional zipper that will fasten your jacket. It will not look like original equipment, it may look like it was installed by a homeless person :) The trick with zippers is that they have to align exactly, and they are supposed to be set into the seams. Examine your parka closely: there is likely a seam into which the material is set on each side. This gives it a sort of flush-mount appearance, probably concealing the zipper under a flap on one side. If you are meaning to use the parka for runs to the basement to fix the boiler (seeing previous message) it won't matter; if you mean to wear it to employment interviews you probably want to spring for professional repair or replacement. Which may cost almost as much as a new jacket, depending. Or you might want to take the time to open the seam and completely uninstall the broken zipper, and replace it.
(/opinion)

and there's down...

[noire.livejournal.com]

Setting zippers *well* takes a fair bit of practice. You could possibly do it and it would possibly work, but it could look really awful.

Also, I *think* working with down is a specialized skill set. I've been sewing since my age was in single digits and I remember hearing this several times--and I don't think I'd want to tackle the job if it were my parka. Just saying...

[jered]

Yeah, what all those people said. Pretty much all of sewing looks easier than it is, because it involves relatively precise control of moving things. Zippers are harder because it's harder to hold on to the thing without constantly bumping into things and swearing.

In what way is the zipper broken? Does the entire thing really need replacement, or is a simpler repair possible?

[cfox.livejournal.com]

If there's fabric stitched on both sides of the zipper tape, that's structurally important. I've got a cheap coat whose zipper is simply sewn to the inside, and I keep having to replace the stitching holding it down. There's a lot of strain on the bottom of a zipper, and zipper tape is stiff and will wear out thread that rubs against it.

I would remove all the stitching going through the zipper tape, with a seam ripper, and attempt an exact fit of the new zipper into place. Hand basting is probably easier than pins for holding it in place while you re-do the top stitching.

If you're still deciding whether or not to attempt it, you may wish to try lining up the existing zipper and facings in your sewing machine, and see if you can sew through all the layers (along the existing stitching). That will tell you if you need a narrower foot for your machine, or if your machine really isn't up to the thickness. A brand new heavy (14 or 16) needle is probably a good idea, too, if the fabric is thick.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

> If you're still deciding whether or not to attempt it...

No; your reply put the last nail in that idea's coffin.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

> In what way is the zipper broken?

I can't get the bottom end-tab of the zipper to insert into the pull.

Re: Zipper

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm going to be outsourcing this job....

Re: Difficult

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm going to let a professional deal with it.

[cfox.livejournal.com]

Funny, because I don't buy the "zippers are hard" line, and would attempt such a thing myself (the "getting things straight and even" difficulty generally applies to zippers that are visible when closed, on thin garments). But I do have some respect for very thick fabrics, as something that my sewing machine can't do good work with, and I like being able to test techniques somewhere where I can back out without loss.

Other thoughts: some name-brand outerwear comes with good no-fault warranties, so you might check that if you haven't thought of it. Some zipper tabs can also be repaired in place with careful work with knife or pliers. There may also be hope of matching the zipper exactly so that you only need to replace one half.

[zkzkz.livejournal.com]

Was going to say the same thing aout name-brand warranties. I sent my Columbia jacket in because the zipper was starting to fail and the replaced the zipper and mailed it back.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

I haven't used a sewing machine in close to ten years — and never did do anything at all sophisticated. I recently bought one again, because I'd long since decided not having one was a pain, but I haven't used it yet. And from all everyone has said, installing a zipper isn't where I want to start.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

See my forthcoming post about nice things