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Zip Repair - Tutorial


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Basic Zip repair.

 

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You’ve all had it a burst zip needing replacing that the customer doesn’t have done because of the cost. Well there’s still a way to get the work & provided its done correctly should extend the life of the zip. I always offer this as a second alternative, it’s the zip repair!

 

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First off all have a good closed look at the way a nylon zip is constructed & you will see the teeth are stitched to a backing & its these stitches that fail, so why not re-stitch them? I have marked the boot with masking tape to show where the zip has failed for this tutorial.

 

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First of all remove the old stitching from the back of the zip.

 

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When you begin to stitch the zip always start your stitching an inch or even two away from the failed stitching to stop further running of the old threads.

 

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Most nylon zips have two rows of stitching in them I always stitch the row nearest the shoe upper so that should I not be 100% accurate I still get this row onto the backing.

 

As you stitch you MUST stitch between each “tooth” of the zip I always hold the zip by laying my finger along its edge, once you have stitched the length you need to, make the return pass.

 

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Once complete the runner will run freely once more!

 

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Lee

 

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can you elaborate please? i'm not sure what you mean :oops:

 

Sorry Rick, I only had my mobile with me & it doesn't take close ups to good :oops:

 

You have to direct your needle between each loop of the zip, roughly your needle will be going in at these points.

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Lee

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Got any details of where to order them then Hugh :P

 

:lol: a Singer Sewing Machine Shop of course :lol:

They will deal by phone with a credit card, I used to get Velcro off them before it became available via our wholesalers.

 

Best alternatyive are made by Schmetz Germany but the different types are a minefield. Peter Coulson did a good reference to needle types and it is important to get the right needle for the material being sewn, a Leather needle will damage fabric and so on.

 

I have 2 packs of Schmetz needles in front of me and although both say 100/16 on the box the rest of the info is confusing, they read like thus;

 

1.

Schmetz.

Canu:35:15

Nm:100/16

System 332®

29x3

SY 3741

DIx1, DIx3

 

2. Schmetz

Canu:20:05 TS1

NM:100 size 16

134 LLCR

PFx134 LLCR

 

Confusing or what, one has a short groove at the back and the other has a recess. One has a round point and the other a spear point.

Picked them up in a manufacturing plant years ago and now coming to the last couple of dozen. Still I have a Singer shop near to.

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