replacing the zipper on my fav. sweatshirt

**Freelance Superhero** · 10-02-2005, 09:58 PM

so i left my favorite zip hoodie at a friend's place, and when i got it back, altho the zipper was still there, it wouldn't zip any more, for some reason.

does anyone know how i could fix this?
or, does anyone know who i could take it to or what kind of place i could take it to to get it replaced?

i'm desperate here; it's my favorite sweatshirt...

**brainsmile** · 10-02-2005, 10:36 PM

should be easy to do... just have to go to a store that sells zippers and replace it. Fabric stores come to mind. If you don't have a sewing machine go to an alterations shop or dry cleaners

**kgsilvas** · 10-02-2005, 10:37 PM

I'd take it to a tailor or dry cleaner.

**Jane83** · 10-03-2005, 01:30 AM

knowing how to sew saves tons of money

**oblongmelon** · 10-03-2005, 05:52 AM

LOL you don't even have to know how to sew-just be able to thread a needle!..open up the seams that hold the old zipper in and then MEASURE THE ZIPPER that was already in the jacket (this has to be done AFTER it's removed)..go to Any fabric store-or K-mart or Walmart or a store like that and find a zipper in the sewing section..you'll see the size listed on the package-any problems, ask for help..buy a package of straight pins at the dollar store, and some thread the color of both the zipper and the shirt (hopefully both the same color)-if not, use the color of the shirt only...now carefully follow these directions:
lay shirt flat on table or counter surface with zipper area facing towards you -you will be pinning one side at a time..remove the zipper from the package and line up the bottom of the new zipper with one side of the sweatshirt..you'll notice that where you removed the zipper has material that folds over both the inside and the outside of the raw edge of the zipper...place the zipper's edge in between these two folds and pin securely all the way up through the shirt and the zipper material itself.
for the other half of the zipper-pin the first two or three pins in place starting from the bottom up-then UNZIP the zipper and continue pinning..
Now you have to sides of a sweatshirt that need to be sewn..thread your needle and give it a good knot at the bottom..use continuous IN-OUT stitch with small stitches from bottom to top in a straight line through ALL THE FABRIC including the zipper edge-repeat on other side. This should hold your zipper in place quite well as long as your stitches were small enough and you took the time to actually do it..
It's not hard-very simple actually, just time consuming when doing this by hand-30 minutes or so...and you only pay for the cost of the zipper, thread and pins..
If you take it to a seamstress or a laundromat they might charge you 30 dollars to fix it which probably cost the same as the shirt..so why bother???..
Do yourself a favor and learn how to fix it yourself, you'll gain something from the experience!

**johnnymk** · 10-03-2005, 05:58 AM

If I would have posted this thread, obby would have called me "cheap"

**DarkFury** · 10-03-2005, 09:12 AM

Honestly, I'd just pay a seamstress to fix it...

If it is your FAVORITE shirt... then let the pros handle it.

**Merlin** · 10-03-2005, 09:35 AM

Hoodies are cheap. Just get a new one. It will most likely cost more to fix than replace.

**mcs328** · 10-03-2005, 09:35 AM

One time I was taking a wizz and the zipper handle on my jeans fell into the toilet. ugh...it's was best pair of jeans I had. Now my waist size has grown but man...it was nice comfy pair of jeans.

**DarkFury** · 10-03-2005, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Merlin

Hoodies are cheap. Just get a new one. It will most likely cost more to fix than replace.

But it's his FAVORITE man!!!! The man's gotta love that one piece of clothing that just says... "MINE"!

Originally Posted by mcs328

One time I was taking a wizz and the zipper handle on my jeans fell into the toilet. ugh...it's was best pair of jeans I had. Now my waist size has grown but man...it was nice comfy pair of jeans.

TMI...

TMI!!!!

**Markel** · 10-03-2005, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by DarkFury

TMI...

TMI!!!!

Well, at least he didn't finish the story.

**Freelance Superhero** · 10-03-2005, 12:10 PM

i knew i could count on you guys!

as far as obby's advice, well, if i were adventurous enough, and if i was dextrous enough to handle an operation like that, i might try it. but it's not the teeth portion of the zipper that's the problem; it's the actual metal zippy thingie that runs up and down the zipper. is there any way just to replace that, and not the entire zipper?

$30?? wow, i didn't think it would cost that much. and yes, it is my absolute favorite sweatshirt (sentimental value; we've been through a whole lot together), and there are a couple patches on it and whatnot, so i wouldn't be interested in just getting a new one. i suppose i could reapply the patches on the new one, but it just wouldn't feel the same, ya know?

anyway, thanks for the advice everyone. i'm going to see what i can do myself, but if worse comes to worst, i'll look into paying to have it done...

**Merlin** · 10-03-2005, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Freelance Superhero

... but it's not the teeth portion of the zipper that's the problem; it's the actual metal zippy thingie that runs up and down the zipper. is there any way just to replace that, and not the entire zipper?

Just use a paperclip there cheapskate.

**Markel** · 10-03-2005, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Freelance Superhero

but it's not the teeth portion of the zipper that's the problem; it's the actual metal zippy thingie that runs up and down the zipper.

I don't think he's referring to just the "pull tab", but the joining/opening part of the zipper (that the pull tab attaches to) - I'll continue to use the "thingie" designation. If you can find the equivalent size, it can be possible to patch a new thingie into the old zipper. You usually can't bend them open and reclose them to put them onto the zipper - you (or someone) would have to be able to remove whatever "stops" the zipper at the bottom, and work the new thingie in (moving in the direction that would zip up the zipper).

The thingie on my favorite mid-weight jacket got smashed last year. There was an equivalent thingie on a pocket zipper of a pocket that I never used, so I had the seamstress at a cleaners remove that thingie (leaving the pocket permanently zipped closed) and install it onto the main zipper.

**nickel** · 10-03-2005, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by johnnymk

If I would have posted this thread, obby would have called me "cheap"

*giggles*

sorry johnny, but you could cut the sexual tension between you two with a knife.

Freelance Superhero, call around/ask around and get someone to put in a new zipper for you. sewing on a button is one thing, a zipper is going to be tricky if you aren't exactly a seamstress.

**Freelance Superhero** · 10-03-2005, 02:40 PM

markel's right; i wasn't referring to just the pull-tab. i meant the entire zipping piece. it got smashed somehow and won't zip. markel, how much did it cost you to get that done for your jacket?

yeah, a seamstress i'm not, so i think i may have to get someone else to do it...

**Markel** · 10-03-2005, 02:53 PM

My wife actually took it in - but I think they ended up charging something like $14. But it would have been quite a bit more if they had to replace the whole zipper.

**oblongmelon** · 10-04-2005, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by nickel

*giggles*

sorry johnny, but you could cut the sexual tension between you two with a knife.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHAHHA...um. NO. You must be refering to someone ELSE.
And Johnny there is a difference between being CHEAP-and being SMART.
let's do the math: Broken zipper in an old sweatshirt-cost to replace yourself: the cost of the new zipper, thread and pins..roughly 10 dollars. Plus the benefit of learning a new skill for life (sewing)
OR..
Take shirt to someone else to repair-get the shaft and pay upwards of 25-30 dollars to have the zipper fixed, and not have the benefit of learning a new skill..Hmmmmm...what's the better choice here??? I'm assuming that Freelance is probably in his twenties and could benefit from a quick sewing lesson..Please don't ASSUME what I might think of a person who makes an attempt to be self sufficient, because you would be incorrect. I think it would be great if you knew how to sew..HEY even monkey's know how to scratch their ass when it itches.

**Freelance Superhero** · 10-04-2005, 03:21 AM

oh don't get me wrong, i think sewing's a great skill. i do know how to sew, as a matter of fact, and you are correct in guessing i'm in my twenties (28).

however, have you ever played that game Operation? yeah, i'm the guy who sets the buzzer off every single time. in other words, i'm not very dextrous when it comes to projects on a very small scale, i.e. sewing.

and, if i can be perfectly honest, i'm just not very keen on the idea of learning how to do this procedure on my favorite sweatshirt. assuming my unsteady hands and tendency to go batsh*t when i'm forced to focus on a small-scale operation (seriously, i go cross-eyed and my legs start twitching) come into play, i'd probably screw it up royally, despite everything you've said about how easy it actually is. ya know what i mean? i'm just not built for this kinda stuff. but your advice is appreciated, obby. thank you.

hmmm... now that i think about it, maybe i can pass this off to one of my ex-gfs. she's pretty good at this stuff...

**Merlin** · 10-04-2005, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by oblongmelon

..HEY even monkey's know how to scratch their ass when it itches.

:monkey::monkey::monkey:

**johnnymk** · 10-04-2005, 06:25 AM

[QUOTE=oblongmelon]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHAHHA...

RANT

QUOTE]

I am a very good seamstress. Do you remember the Cabbage Patch doll kits from twenty years ago? I made about a dozen of them and gave them to various girlfriends. They looked as good as the real thing.

Plus I have made seat covers for a few cars. Do you remember roll and pleated? That was the style I sewed and installed in a few cars. I sewed each pleat, plus the binding on the corners using HD vinyl. Everyone thought they were professionally done.

My grandmother taught me how to sew on a treadle machine when I was a teenager. The thing would go through many layers of thick fabric with ease. I wish I had it to this day.

However, I don't think it would have the power to sew your mouth shut

**nickel** · 10-04-2005, 07:05 AM

[QUOTE=johnnymk]

Originally Posted by oblongmelon

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHAHHA...

RANT

QUOTE]

I am a very good seamstress. Do you remember the Cabbage Patch doll kits from twenty years ago? I made about a dozen of them and gave them to various girlfriends. They looked as good as the real thing.

Plus I have made seat covers for a few cars. Do you remember roll and pleated? That was the style I sewed and installed in a few cars. I sewed each pleat, plus the binding on the corners using HD vinyl. Everyone thought they were professionally done.

My grandmother taught me how to sew on a treadle machine when I was a teenager. The thing would go through many layers of thick fabric with ease. I wish I had it to this day.

However, I don't think it would have the power to sew your mouth shut

something about a man calling himself a seamstress...

how about seamster, tailor or johnnyjohnnythesewingmachine?

**johnnymk** · 10-04-2005, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by nickel

something about a man calling himself a seamstress...

how about seamster, tailor or johnnyjohnnythesewingmachine?

I"ll take the last one.

**oblongmelon** · 10-04-2005, 09:24 AM

[QUOTE=johnnymk]

Originally Posted by oblongmelon

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHAHHA...

RANT

QUOTE]

I am a very good seamstress. Do you remember the Cabbage Patch doll kits from twenty years ago? I made about a dozen of them and gave them to various girlfriends. They looked as good as the real thing.

Plus I have made seat covers for a few cars. Do you remember roll and pleated? That was the style I sewed and installed in a few cars. I sewed each pleat, plus the binding on the corners using HD vinyl. Everyone thought they were professionally done.

My grandmother taught me how to sew on a treadle machine when I was a teenager. The thing would go through many layers of thick fabric with ease. I wish I had it to this day.

However, I don't think it would have the power to sew your mouth shut

so you're a seamstress eh? LOLOLOLOLOL..perhaps Tailor would be a better word. And check your pm. Because what I have to say to you is not something I want to post here and get banned for.

**DarkFury** · 10-04-2005, 09:31 AM

Wow... this thread just took a wrong turn at Alberquerque...

BTW... my dad was an "upholsterer"... and he knew how to sew as well. I know enough about sewing to patch minor things... but for this, I'd just let the pros handle it.

**nickel** · 10-04-2005, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Wow... this thread just took a wrong turn at Alberquerque...

BTW... my dad was an "upholsterer"... and he knew how to sew as well. I know enough about sewing to patch minor things... but for this, I'd just let the pros handle it.

being an upholsterer is such a great skill. my grandmother was a self-taught one and did a darn good job.

**oblongmelon** · 10-04-2005, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Wow... this thread just took a wrong turn at Alberquerque...

BTW... my dad was an "upholsterer"... and he knew how to sew as well. I know enough about sewing to patch minor things... but for this, I'd just let the pros handle it.

One of my older brothers used to work for Kroehler Furniture when he was a young guy (and when the factory was still open here in town)..to this day he still answers his phone by saying "Spring room, this is Mike.." lol..DF did your father ever cane any furniture? That is one awesome skill if you ask me..There are no good upholsterers around my area..to bad though-lots of call for it with all the antique furniture in the area.

**DarkFury** · 10-04-2005, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by oblongmelon

One of my older brothers used to work for Kroehler Furniture when he was a young guy (and when the factory was still open here in town)..to this day he still answers his phone by saying "Spring room, this is Mike.." lol..DF did your father ever cane any furniture? That is one awesome skill if you ask me..There are no good upholsterers around my area..to bad though-lots of call for it with all the antique furniture in the area.

Well... I don't really know if he did that... actually I don't even know what "caning furniture" is?

Pretty much, as a pre-teen/teenager, my dad learned the trade in a small "minority owned" upholstery shop back in Pensacola. Pretty much back in those days (in the mid to late 40s) there weren't alot of "trade schools" opened to "colored children" in Pensacola... so after school he worked for that upholstery shop covering furniture to suppliment my Grandaddy's income for driving a "dry cleaning truck".

After he graduated high school... he went into the Army where they acknowledged his "craft" and allowed him to work in the shop where they put upholstery in the aircraft, vehicles, and offices. When he finally left the service, he got a job down at the Naval Air Station (Civil Service) doing the same thing... upholstering aircraft of the naval base... He even had a chance to work on President Carter's "Marine One" helicopter back in the 70s... putting in some new seat covers and what not. (Probably the big highlight of his upholstering career.. They even offered to take him on a ride on Marine One, but my Dad was afraid to fly (Imagine that...) and declined the offer.

Oh the times we had ribbing him about not going on that helicopter ride... Of course my Dad died when I was 16... so all I have are the memories of his "stories". And such warm memories they are...

He was good at his "craft". I just wish I could've learned more of it when he was alive.