How to Fix a Separated Zipper
A separated zipper can make getting in and out of your clothes a struggle. Instead of ripping the old one out and sewing on a new one, try these steps to get your zipper back in working order. See How to Fix a Stuck Zipper and How to Unjam a Sleeping-Bag Zipper for more zipper tips. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Needle
- Strong Thread
- Scissors
- Small Pair Of Pliers (needle-nose Are Best)
Instructions
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With a small pair of pliers (needle-nose pliers work best), pry off the zipper's metal stop, the little band at the bottom of the zipper that stops the slider when you open the zipper (see A). If you don't have needle-nose pliers, you might be able to pry off the stop with a screwdriver or even a blunt kitchen knife.
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Once you've removed the stop, move the slider all the way to the bottom of the zipper, just below the bottom-most teeth.
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Realign the zipper's teeth so that they mesh smoothly.
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Move the slider up to the top of the zipper, zipping it completely.
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Thread a needle with strong thread. Tie a knot at the end of the thread.
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Starting with your thread on the back side of the zipper, make six or seven stitches across the bottom of the zipper where the old stop was, creating a new stop out of thread (see B).
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With your thread on the back side of the zipper, tie a knot in the thread and snip it off with your scissors.
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Tips & Warnings
If the zipper is merely sticky and not separated, try rubbing a candle along the teeth of the zipper, then zipping and unzipping it several times. This quick fix will often make the zipper work more smoothly.
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Comments
View all 17 Comments-
hmm.. I accidentally zipped out the zip's head but after that I insert half part of the zip and then another half and slowly realign the half zip part to another half part and zipped it back and forth and it finally aligned in straight path.
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if the bottom-most teeth are buried somewhere in the garment, use needle nosed pliers to separate the ones you can reach from the fabric and wire cutters to cut off some of the wire.
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Wow Reen, this brought back memories of my high school days!!! I've been doing it for years too!!! We're so smart... xo
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Wow, so simple, I could have used this a million times!
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I have been doing this for years! It really is just as easy as they make it look. Some times you have to sew more more of the "teeth" if they are destoyed.
