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A down jacket with a zipper.

Zipper repair: tips & tricks for the jacket

Invented by Whitcomb Leonard Judson almost 128 years ago, the zipper was originally intended as a so-called clamp opener for shoes - the general enthusiasm for it was initially limited. Today, it is impossible to imagine everyday life without this ingenious invention. Whether on jeans, bags or jackets: zippers are practical and sewn onto many items of clothing. Unfortunately, however, they are also known to get stuck or come undone more often than not. The good news is that an expensive zipper replacement is not always necessary. We provide tips and tricks for repairing zippers on your jacket!

Zipper repair: getting your jacket back in shape

Every zipper on a jacket, trousers or bag consists of different parts. Firstly, there is the slider, also known as the zipper, which connects both sides of your jacket and closes it. Then there are the side parts with the teeth that interlock when closing. However, due to the constant back and forth in everyday life, a zipper on your jacket may break and you will have to repair it. This can have the following causes, for example:

  • The zipper is worn out: You pull the zipper up, but the zipper opens again.
  • The zipper is jammed: The zipper cannot be moved any further upwards due to jammed fabric.
  • Parts of the zipper are broken: The teeth of the fastener or zipper itself have broken off.

But before you throw your clothes in the garbage can, it's better to repair the broken zipper and keep your jacket. We'll show you how!

Repairing a zipper on a jacket: This is how it works

As you can see, even if the zipper itself is a simple thing, it can still be a little more complicated to repair.

If one side of the zipper often slips out when pulling it up and can no longer be closed correctly, the slider is usually worn out. As the sliders are usually made of light metal, you can quickly and easily repair the jacket zipper with a pair of pliers. Take them and guide them to the wings, i.e. the sides of the slider, and press them together lightly. Be careful not to press too hard. This is because the metal can give way quickly. This should allow the teeth to engage normally with the catch.

Does the fastener get stuck when you pull it up and can no longer be moved? Then you should check to see if any of the jacket fabric is caught. If so, be particularly careful when repairing the zipper on your jacket, especially if the material is very thin. Don't pull too hard, otherwise the fabric will tear!

If the zipper is stuck, try opening and closing the metal fastener in quick succession. This will ensure that the teeth straighten out and engage with the slider. If it still doesn't work, grab a little oil and put a drop on the teeth. It serves as a lubricant and should allow the zipper to mesh well again. Just make sure you don't accidentally drip oil on your jacket! Alternatively, you can also apply graphite to the teeth with a pencil to repair the zipper on the jacket.

If the handle of the slider is broken, you can repair the zipper on your jacket with a rubber band or paper clip. Sure, it doesn't look particularly stylish, but it's a quick and easy solution. If you have a little more time available, you can also use a ribbon in a matching color and thread it into the broken area. This way, you can quickly repair the broken zipper and put your jacket back on.

Repairing the zipper: if the bottom of the jacket is torn

If the bottom of your zipper is torn, it is almost impossible to repair your jacket. But you don't have to throw your jacket away straight away!

Think sustainably and sew a new zipper onto your jacket. You can buy so-called zipper repair kits for jackets online. All you need is a repair kit, a thread in a matching color and a sewing machine. If you already have everything ready, proceed as follows:

  1. Remove the old zipper with nail scissors or a narrow knife. Proceed carefully to loosen the individual seams and remove the zipper.
  2. Now place the new zipper in the place of the old zipper. Position it so that the teeth extend slightly over the fabric of the jacket. It is best to use the previous zipper as a guide. And then you can start sewing.
  3. Now place the fabric under your sewing machine. Use a zig-zag stitch to sew it in and sew it to your jacket from the bottom up. And you're done!

Prevent zipper repair: Look after your jacket properly!

To avoid having to repair the zipper on your jacket at all, you should look after it properly. To prevent the zipper from jamming or wearing out, you should always follow the manufacturer's washing instructions. Also close the zipper of your jacket before you put it in the washing drum.

Before you dispose of your clothes for such minor problems, think sustainably first and foremost! Can you reuse the fabric or perhaps upcycle it? We'll show you how you can easily repair your clothes.

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