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From: katiekay
Date: 06-16-2004, 10:57 PM (1 of 14)
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Can anyone point me in the right direction? I need to learn how to repair zippers. Putting in new ones in all types of clothes. Are there instructions out there somewhere? help! Katie |
User: katiekay
Member since: 06-05-2004 Total posts: 5 
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From: MaryW
Date: 06-17-2004, 08:17 AM (2 of 14)
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Oh boy, that's a good question. I have never seen a book on zippers, maybe try google.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2004, 11:08 AM (3 of 14)
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I always just follow the lead of the zipper I took out. A lot of the zippers that I have replaced could probably have been saved now that there are zipper parts available in stores like Hancocks.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: katiekay
Date: 06-17-2004, 12:19 PM (4 of 14)
Best learned by doing...lol! I live in a very remote area so finding the individual parts is difficult, so most times folks just want the entire zipper redone. I will keep looking and search google and yahoooooo! Thanks 
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User: katiekay
Member since: 06-05-2004 Total posts: 5
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From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2004, 12:57 PM (5 of 14)
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I know what you mean. I've lived in the country all my life. Things are developing near us but I still live at least 18 miles from a decent fabric store....which isn't far at all compared to a lot of people..but when it is midnight and you are trying to get projects done for people, it is a million miles.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 06-17-2004, 05:12 PM (6 of 14)
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Katie the only way I know to replace zippers in ready made garments is just to pay very close attention to how they are sewn in when you begin taking them out. The only people that get zippers repaired or replaced by me are my dh and I. Oh yeah, I also replace zippers for the choir robes in our church choir. What a job that is. If any of you know or remember what your graduation gown was like, well that is how our choir robes are constructed. To remove and replace a zipper in them, you have to totaly undo the inside lining at the top, take out the large hook and eye. Sewing a new zipper in is quite easy. It's the undoing and redoing the lining at the top inside that is a pain and takes forever. And, it's the same way with replacing a zipper in ready to wear garments. A real pain in the behind. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2004, 05:15 PM (7 of 14)
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esp in jeans!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: katiekay
Date: 06-17-2004, 05:21 PM (8 of 14)
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Pam I have to agree with you! Not fun. With just opening my own business (out of my workshop) for repairs ect.. I feel bad saying "I dont do zippers" but I am sorely tempted. They are hardly worth the time and effort. |
User: katiekay
Member since: 06-05-2004 Total posts: 5
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From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2004, 05:25 PM (9 of 14)
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You can always charge through the nose for zippers. Dry cleaners do them anyway. It is hard to turn away the business (I know).
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: katiekay
Date: 06-17-2004, 06:04 PM (10 of 14)
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Pam Do you have your own business too? I am just starting out. I mean just. I have my business cards made up now and I registered my business name with the county clerk and took two jobs for trade. I cringe a bit at jobs for trade. The only flip to that is I live in a very remote area with a depressed economy and that is the only way some folks can pay. I am being brought work pants for mending mostly. I would like to find something (besides quilts) that I can make that will sell. (something without a zipper LOL!) Katie |
User: katiekay
Member since: 06-05-2004 Total posts: 5
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From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2004, 07:28 PM (11 of 14)
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I did it for about 5 years. I tended to underprice my work so I didn't do as well as I might have done. In the beginning I was told to specialize. In the end I probably did, but I didn't do it soon enough. I sent letters to every school band, choir, dance studios, cheer leading and pom advisors in about a 25 mile radius to get started. My husband was doing some custom computer jobs so we had lovely watermark paper. With each of those letters I send a few business cards and tear off strips to be handed out to their students. The letter was a list of my experience and creditials. I was a little late doing that because my business didn't really kick off until around the first of September. Looking back it would have been nice to do that in mid-May and then again in early August just before school was out and before it began. I posted cards in every fabric store around for about 50 miles and I got business from as far away as 75 miles. Those postings were slow coming through but they ended up quite profitable...with weddings. I put tear offs in local coin op laundries around close. I got TONS of repair work from them...hem jobs and zippers and misc things. My price for hemming jeans was only five dollars...I used it as a hook for business...brought in a lot of it...many times I hemmed the jeans while the customer waited. I quit good 15 1/2 year job that I loved to do this. My 4 year old had dug under the fence of the local day care and ran away. I felt that the twins needed me too much for me to remain working. I spent my retirement getting my job going. It ended when my mother became home-bound and we moved in to care for her. I got more than my retirement out of the business. I did a lot of wedding and school "stuff". I also did some home decor...drapes, etc. I did not take any professional tailoring because of the time involved.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2004, 07:38 PM (12 of 14)
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The area of business that I would like to go back and pursue now though is square dance. I had always wanted to do a specialty line of clothing and accessories for small (up to size 6) children. When I started getting the square dance business though I really fell in love. I liked it because quite often we would stand there, look at the material and design it on the "fly". The more ruffles I could put in the better...always done with my machine ruffler. Hemming was a breeze with lots of lace applications and insets. Almost everything from top to bottom, sleeves, everything was elastic...they would tell me how long and how big the waist would be...I'd take a handful of measurments and fitting was a breeze. There are some shops that handle square dance outfits around here and there are tons of clubs, you just have to send out notices to them too...they'll keep you plenty busy. Along with the dresses come the men's shirts to match...but that's just a blast! The wedding and school stuff is always under the gun and often you have so much to do with getting fittings right. I've had wedding members come in from out of the country the night before the wedding and have to do a final fitting not knowing how accurate the measurments were....it sometimes gets messy! You also have to deal with some strange measurments...and size 3 brides who have size 26 bridesmaids and a pattern that goes up to size 14. The dresses are always beautiful when they are finished though...nothing like a pretty dress to make you feel good. I live out in the country too and I thought that it would handicap my business...but it really didn't...if they are interested and your prices are right and your reputation is good, they will drive to you.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: katiekay
Date: 06-18-2004, 12:06 PM (13 of 14)
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square dance outfits, now that does sound like fun! I have to find my nitche like that, something fun to make. I am not too interested in wedding apparel but I had been tossing around the idea of costumes for theater. I love period clothing trying to fit the right look for the right era. Much of that can be the easy on and off stuff with elastic as well for quick changes and durability but made to look complicated. I think I would like that. I have thought of sending out flyers to the local theaters (which would be quite a ways up here in the boonies) and then the high schools. Then I was thinking that there must be some way I can get orders from larger theater companies. Well just a thought. I think that the specialty clothing for children would sell. Special occasion dresses and high end type play wear. I need a serger. I cant do much without one. I want the work that I do to hold up to the test of time and wear and tear. |
User: katiekay
Member since: 06-05-2004 Total posts: 5
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From: paroper
Date: 06-18-2004, 05:36 PM (14 of 14)
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When I first started, I was approached by a friend who is a magician/clown. He said there was a real need for someone who would do that type of work. I considered it heavily...matter of fact I planned on it, but the wedding stuff fell in my lap almost from day one and I never got into it.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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