National Zipper Day - Common Problems and Repairs

National Zipper Day commemorates the date when Gideon Sundback patented the zipper on April 29, 1913. 

Both a blessing and a curse, these handy devices were formerly known as a “separable fastener.”  Zippers are now so popular that we often take them for granted.  On any given day you may be wearing as many of 6 zippers!  Yes, it’s true - we have the quarter zip top, zip up boots (that’s two), vest, jacket, and a purse/backpack/tote.  Not to mention the jacket pockets! Oh my, that’s eight!

A very practical item, zippers are super handy because they close an item completely, versus snaps and buttons that leave gaps for chilly air to sneak in or precious possessions to fall out. Zippers also open and close much quicker than a whole row of buttons or snaps.

While zippers are amazing, even the good things in life have their shortcomings. Over time, all zipper sliders will eventually begin to wear out, causing the zipper to come apart or the teeth to break off.  The zipper tape (that woven fabric part) can also wear through. And if you have a dog that decides to explore a zipper with its mouth, well, that zipper is certainly done for.  When these things happen your favorite items can still be saved! That’s where we come in…

We Fix Zips!  

Rip and Stitch Sewing Company is a division of AdventureUs that’s devoted to zipper repair and garment restoration services in an effort to promote our environmental values of repair, reduce, reuse, recycle.

Common zippered items that we often repair are jackets, purses, backpacks, tents, pants, pockets, boots, and ski boots. 

Zipper repair is not something most people with sewing skills want to deal with because it can be more complicated than it looks and the heavy layers can break needles or even your sewing machine. However, zipper repair is essential to sustainability in the clothing and textile industry. 

I know you have a favorite garment with a broken zipper that you keep in the back of the closet…don’t be shy, you’re not alone.  Keep reading to learn more, or hop on over to our Zipper Repair Services Guide to get a quick quote on getting that garment back in your wardrobe lineup.

Click HERE to download our Zipper Repair Service Guide

So let’s talk about zipper anatomy and different kinds of zippers, common zipper problems, zipper slider replacement, and total zipper replacements, as well as some exciting new developments at our business - Rip & Stitch Sewing Company! 

Slider Replacements:

Common zipper problems that require slider replacement:

• Slider is missing
• Zipper pull is gone

We carry over 3 dozen zipper sliders on hand at all times to match the one needed for your item.  Using specialty tools, we can install a new slider onto your item.  Bags and boots may need sewing to close the zipper end. 

Zipper Replacements:

Common zipper problems that require zipper replacement:

• Damage to zipper teeth
• Damage to fabric tape
• Damage to insertion pin or starter box at base of zipper 

Two types of zipper replacement:

• Overlay Zipper Replacement: We carefully cut away the old zipper and install the new one over the top of the old zipper and outer fabric of garment.  The look is still clean and symmetrical but the zipper tape is visible instead of being hidden within a seam.

• Inlay Zipper Replacement: We carefully open all of the seams enclosing the zipper, remove the old zipper completely and install the new one to look nearly identical to the original manufacturer.

For either kind of zipper replacement, you can choose from coil, Vislon, or metal teeth in a variety of sizes and styles.  Special ordering available to color and style match for additional cost.

Another zipper service we provide is adding a zipper to an article of clothing or other items with no existing zipper. We can convert pullover hoodies and jackets to a zip up by carefully cutting down the middle of the garment, attaching the zipper into the raw edge then topstitching for a clean, new look.

At Rip & Stitch Sewing Co and AdventureUs, we aim to be environmentally focused. Each item that we repair is one less item ending up in the landfill too soon. The idea of buying quality, local goods and repairing them when they wear out over time is something that we highly value. 

Thank you for choosing repair and coming to us as a trusted source of zipper repair and garment restoration.