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From: Catalina
Date: 11-15-2005, 08:24 AM (1 of 14)
| Well Jacket zippers are heavy and mine was too long to I tried the regular tuck extra back in facing technique, well the zipper was so bulky and hard to bend and it makes a big lump. any suggestions! I tried taking a pliers to pull out the teeth but it ripped the zipper binding as well. Thanks. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 11-16-2005, 06:38 AM (2 of 14)
My only suggestion is buy a shorter zipper  . I know there are ways to shorten ones with metal teeth, but for me, its just as easy to go buy another one.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-16-2005, 07:27 AM (3 of 14)
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I agree. Much easier to buy a shorter zipper.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Sancin
Date: 11-17-2005, 02:21 AM (4 of 14)
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One can't always find a zipper to fit a shortened jacket. I can see Catalina's problem. As I have mentioned in another post I am very short and have to shorten not only pants and skirts but tops as well. I have decided not to buy a zipper for a top I am making until I have planned or completed my garment to the point where I insert the zipper. At that point I can buy a zipper to fit, or adjust the hem of the jacketro the length to the zipper. When I have shortened zippers, including metal ones, I hand sew over and over above the link I want the zipper pull to go until I have enough thread so that the zipper pull can not pass it then I cut with whatever I can to cut (once used tin snips after cutting zipper tape) through the zipper above the stitching. I then try to hide the top part of the zipper into a seam (collar or facing). This is not as bulky as trying to hide excess and the top of the zipper as Catalina described. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Catalina
Date: 11-17-2005, 03:53 AM (5 of 14)
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Your right, the best thing is better planning on my zipper size. The saying if you can't find a zipper in a matching color and length get one longer in the color and shorten works for lighter zippers but not the heavy ones. Sancin-I guess hand sewing it will work the best too. Thanks everyone. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: VenusElaine
Date: 11-20-2005, 05:55 PM (6 of 14)
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When I need to shorten a metal zipper (we order in bulk at work and stock long sizes) I cut the tape about 1 inch above where I want to place the stop and use nippers or sidecuts to cut the teeth one or two at a time. This way they can be removed without ripping the zipper tape. Just watch out for flying pieces when you squeeze!
"Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: Catalina
Date: 11-21-2005, 04:57 AM (7 of 14)
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VenusElaine, Thanks, I'm going to practice on a zipper removing teeth as I have a few long ones. I did manage to hand sew the top of the zipper in the seam line - now it stops half an inch from the top but not noticeable, at least the pull won't slide right off. Sometimes its just hard to find a zipper in the correct color the length you need. 
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User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: patti2
Date: 11-21-2005, 09:36 AM (8 of 14)
| I am also very short and have had to shorten metal zippers. I hand sew the teeth at the top also, but I use jewlers wire from the craft section of my fabric store. So far, no problems. |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: VenusElaine
Date: 11-25-2005, 05:59 PM (9 of 14)
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Since I work as an alteration specialist, we keep "parts" in stock also. Several sewing supply catalogs carry zipper repair kits of various sizes and prices that contain top and bottom stops and sliders if anyone shortens metal zippers on a regular basis.
"Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 11-27-2005, 01:48 PM (10 of 14)
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Not sure where you live or what's in your area, but near me, the "better" fabric shop offers free shortening on all of its zippers. So, if you liked maroon, but the only maroon one they had was 20 inches, then you can have them shorten it to your desired length, and they do in in about 5 seconds. Do you have a "better" sewing shop near you?
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: VenusElaine
Date: 11-27-2005, 09:10 PM (11 of 14)
Unfortunately, no.  Wally-world, a quilting shop, and a home decor fabric shop.  Fortunately, I'm one of those people that can shorten a zipper in about five seconds.VenusElaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 11-28-2005, 03:50 AM (12 of 14)
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Now, can you shorten the plastic teeth zippers? I always thought those were coiled so they couldn't be shortened.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-28-2005, 07:58 AM (13 of 14)
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Plastic zippers are a snap to shorten. Just make a new bottom stop by hand stitching over the closed coil several times -- bring your needle up on one side, over the coil, down on the other side again and again. Then you snip off the rest. Even I can do it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: VenusElaine
Date: 11-28-2005, 09:21 PM (14 of 14)
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In order for the zipper to still separate, it must be shortened at the top. If it is Vislon (plastic teeth), the procedure is the same as metal. Cut the tape about an inch above where you want to place the new stop and break off the plastic teeth (watch out, they fly too) and squeeze on a new stop. If it is a coil zipper, you must use a top stop large enough to go over the coil and reach the tape when you squeeze it. Venus Elaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
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