No, problem, right? Not with with this ole girl. I finally had to have a friend help with one that was in a pair of "Skinny jeans" for my GD. That zipper was only about 3" long, and I could not figure out what to do. Now, the skirt - no problem. Or the dress. But, on the last pair of slacks - I must have torn that thing out 4 or 5 times. It is a wonder that I did not wear the fabric out. I gave every thing back to them today, and told them that maybe they should find someone smarter than me to try zippers again. LOL I may need to go back to sewing school.

Have you tried about.com/sewing ? They have a lot of very good detailed advice, free patterns and lots of help there. I've never been a fan of zippers either but sometimes you just have to do them and get it over with! lol
Try playing easy listening music when sewing something, it seems to soothe the soul and the less appealing parts go by faster!
Meri

Hi--Yes, I agree with you;I was asked to replace a zipper that broke in a sports bag last week and it took me 2 hr's; besides driving to find it. And it needed to be done in aweek, so they could use it.And then word gets out, and now I have several people who need zippers put in things.Sometimes,you wonder if it's worth it all; or should we just be polite, and say we don't like sewing.....Reddish

You might be interested in this for future repairs.
http://www.queenofdiy.com/sewing-...

I agree with you. It's a waste of time to mend clothes. Much more fun to embroider instead!

1 comment

by leenova54 03 Jun 2010

yes, yes!

I don't mind putting in a zip for a new project. But if one has to be replaced , I have a friend that does mending and they all go to her. I'd rather pay to have it done. None of my family do any type of sewing so all there things land up with me. But not the zippers, I take them to my friend straight away.

Here is a laugh , I had things for myself that had to be taken up since last year winter, still with the tags on, only had them done by somebody a month ago. What we don't do for others - Hugs Yvonne

Some things just aren't worth the effort in my book. I would rather throw the pants out or pay to have someone else do it. You are a very loving person to do this.

I hate zippers, and of course those are precisely the things my daughters ask me to do as they are too busy. Can't argue with that, so .. What we don't do for love.. ugh!

A tip I use is to NB always tack the zip in (it's worth the extra effort).To do the shorter zip I use an ordinary jeans zip ,tack and sew the bottom portion of the zip ,like you usually do.Then open the zip,cut off the longer overhanging top portion,allowing some, to tuck into the waist band or facing.Keep the zip opened and finish off the waistband or facing.This will secure the zipfastner from running off the edge.
Happy Zipping!!from Bev

3 comments

by shirlener88 02 Jun 2010

Do you have a picture tutorial - I am lost.

by bevgrift 02 Jun 2010

Sorry for no Pics!I'm not that clever:)
P.S. I've only discovered how to make this smile :)
If the zip you have is too long:
The main idea is to not cut the zip first.Use the bottom of the zip,sew it in, then OPEN (so the ziprunner is safe at
the bottom end),Now trim to the correct size,(level at the top of the pants).Sew on the facing or band as always.The tops of the zip are sewn in the band seam,and now when the zip is closed the runner won't slide off the top. From Bev

by leenova54 03 Jun 2010

Lost me too and I used to work as a seamstress in a womens sportswear shop. I get frustrated and take shortcuts anytime I can.

Here I am just plucking up enough courage to replace the zip in my most favourite pair of jeans. It too is only 4" long. I have unpicked the old one and decided I could put it off a little longer by going onto Cute! They are my most favouritiz jeans and I wore the zip out - not even really broken. So if I want to wear them again I am just going to have to get on with it. Any tips?

1 comment

by dlonnahawkins 01 Jun 2010

Wish I could help, but I had to have a freind do it for me. She tried showing me how to do it, and my eye glazed over. LOL - she said to bring her the next pair. She knows me by now.

I admire you, I hate changing zips.!!!*

I get pants to hem from my short legged son and the other son's wife!! But I tell them, no cuffs! Can't do it on the machine with a blind hem, it's not going to be done! As for zippers..I have enough trouble putting one in the FIRST time, sure not going to redo one that's broken!

I do understand - I think I would rather do most anything but zippers - I couldn't have helped you - had you asked - so glad you had someone that could.

The things we do for love.........

I avoid zippers as much as possible. But if I have to do one I use the invisible zipper foot and put in an invisible zipper. It is so much easier for me and I prefer the look. Of course you couldn't do a fly zipper with one but I think those are easier anyway. I just have a hard time getting the seams on a zipper to look even and the same. I'm afraid I would have told my daughter "I don't do zippers!"
Kathy

I don't do zippers.

I gave my daughter a sewing machine for Christmas and she decided to mend the zips in her jeans. She rang me to ask how to do them and I told her she needed the right zip and a jean needle, other than that - it was up to her to figure it out, since I just DO NOT do them! I would never be able to tell that they weren't the original zips when she showed them to me. I might just save all my broken zipped clothing and let her fix them for ME! When my daughter is determinded to do something, it usually gets done.

my solution is take it to the dry cleaner for zipper repair!!!! To me it is worth the cost to avoid the stress Hugs Mary

I think it is quite common to say 'No' to zipper repairs :)It's easier to make a whole new garment, really and use those jeans for making a bag or patches for easier repairs -or maybe even a quilt! I think the owner of the zippers needs to learn to fix those things themselves :) They'll probably gain a whole new appreciation for Hook & Loop tape/Velcro instead!

I feel the same; it's such fun when children bring a 'bag' of work for us to do for them. My MIL made all of my SIL's clothing, and even hemmed everything. When my MIL moved in here, I hoped that my SIL would refrain from giving her mother work to do, but then my MIL's sister gave her some needlepoint seats to make for her dining room set. Ugh. He eyesite held out, but I felt badly for her.

I hate zippers!!!

1 comment

by dlonnahawkins 31 May 2010

Amen!!!!!