| If you haven't been sewing that long, and you've never | | | | caught in the new stitching, and will be noticeable after |
| had any experience with zippers, don't think you can't | | | | the new zipper is installed. |
| replace one - you absolutely can! In fact, it's much | | | | The most important part of installing the new zipper is |
| easier to replace a zipper than to install one for the | | | | getting the two sides of the zipper perfectly aligned. If |
| first time. That's because the previous stitching marks | | | | they don't line up exactly the jacket will not zip |
| are there, allowing you to easily see where to stitch, | | | | correctly or will have a lopsided look when zipped. Set |
| and the raw edges have already been pressed down. | | | | the jacket on a table and place the two ends |
| Go gather up all those clothing items that have broken | | | | side-by-side. It can be helpful if you pin the zipper itself |
| zippers; you've got work to do! | | | | together at the bottom end. Position one end of one |
| The type of zipper you purchase is very important. | | | | zipper piece at the end of one side of the jacket. Do |
| Ordinary dress zippers don't separate completely. That | | | | the same to the opposite side and the opposite zipper |
| is, the bottom of these types of zippers have a metal | | | | piece. After they're pinned in place set them |
| piece which prevents the zipper pull from being taken | | | | side-by-side again to ensure they align perfectly. If so, |
| completely off the zipper teeth. A jacket zipper, | | | | you can continue pinning the zipper pieces into the |
| however, is made to zip apart into two pieces. In | | | | jacket. Use a pin every two inches and insert them in |
| addition to the type of zipper you buy you will need to | | | | a horizontal manner. |
| decide how heavy the zipper need be. Thick-cloth, | | | | Begin sewing, going down one side while installing the |
| winter coats will need a large, sturdy zipper. | | | | zipper, while using the special zipper foot that came |
| Lightweight wind breakers will need a lighter weight | | | | with your machine. While sewing make sure the teeth |
| zipper. Ask for assistance if you're unsure; take the | | | | to the zipper are right beside the fold of the material's |
| coat with you to the sewing supply store. | | | | edge. Remove the pins as you sew along. Most |
| It's a good idea to take the coat with you, anyway, | | | | people find it easiest to sew down one side then up |
| because you'll need to match the color of thread. Don't | | | | the other side. When you begin sewing, back-tack at |
| just assume you can buy black thread for a black | | | | the edge, then sew to the end and back-tack once |
| coat or white thread for a white coat. Shades can | | | | again. Do this on both sides of the jacket. Trim the |
| differ, especially if the coat has been laundered many | | | | threads very close to the jacket at all four ends. After |
| times. A dark gray color may be more appropriate for | | | | the zipper is completely installed zip it up and down a |
| the black coat or an off-white shade for the white | | | | couple of times just to make sure all is well. |
| coat. In addition, the weight of the thread is important. | | | | Many people throw away jackets and other garments |
| You'll need heavy thread, of course, for a heavy | | | | with broken zippers. Or, they pay money to have a |
| garment and lighter weights of thread for lightweight | | | | new zipper put in - often more than the garment is |
| garments. Ask the clerk for help if you're unsure. | | | | worth! Now that you know how to sew you'll never |
| If you've got all your supplies together you can then | | | | have to deal with either of those scenarios again. You |
| begin removing the old zipper. A seam ripper can help | | | | can replace zippers in coats, dresses, kids' sleepers |
| you safely remove the old stitches, but if you don't | | | | and more. You'll always be able to replace broken |
| have one, you can use a single-sided razor blade. Be | | | | zippers yourself and can save money by doing so. It's |
| very careful, though. Many a garment has been ruined | | | | much easier to put a new zipper in a used garment |
| over the slip of a razor blade. Use good lighting and | | | | than in a new one, though, so practice on a couple of |
| even magnifiers, if needed, to see the stitches well. Cut | | | | existing outfits. When you get really good at that you |
| out all the stitches, from both zipper pieces, then go | | | | can then try your hand at installing a new zipper in a |
| through the tedious task of picking out each individual | | | | new garment. Before long you'll be expert at any |
| cut thread. If you don't, some of these threads can get | | | | zipper project! |