Hoodie Zippers

[LuvOrlando]

I can't be the only one who has accumulated a serious collection of zipper hoodies through recent events. Now, a few of these zippers are just failing, falling to bits in the washer and dryer cycle... but I'm not ready to let go I still love them. A tailor will replace them and it will look like a sad Frankenhoodie. I've tried to find snap on ones but the size thing is a mess, like how do I know the size if the bit is gone, who is using teeny zippers? Mine are hoodie size and all the zippers seem to be roughly the same, is there a bag of replacement hoodie zippers that exists? Anyone doing this successfully and have tips on brands? I found some but the reviews are awful.

With the whole environmental movement wouldn't saving clothing from landfills be a thing? Doesn't seem like a thing from where I'm looking, just sayin'

 

[slo]

I have no advice on fixing them, but please don’t throw them away.
Please call some local churchs or other organizations that collect clothes for the homeless. Winter is around the corner and sweatshirts will be something that the homeless will be very grateful for.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I can’t stand pullover hoodies and only buy the zipper kind. As the above poster suggests, I donate them when they’re a slightly ragged but still wearable. Organizations happily accept them.

Sorry, I have no advice for fixing broken zippers.

 

[mom2rtk]

I sew a lot. I had a friend ask me how to fix the broken zipper in her husband's leather jacket. I said that's easy, you buy a new one.

 

[Imzadi]

A tailor will replace them and it will look like a sad Frankenhoodie. I've tried to find snap on ones but the size thing is a mess, like how do I know the size if the bit is gone, who is using teeny zippers? Mine are hoodie size and all the zippers seem to be roughly the same,

There are many different types of zippers. They are sold by length, 12", 14", 20", 36", etc. They also have different size teeth depending on what kind of clothing they are for. Also different material of teeth, nylon. plastic or metal. Sounds like you've only seen the teeny zippers.

Also closed bottom or separating:

Link about types of zippers: http://zipitzippers.blogspot.com/2012/07/quick-guide-to-zipper-coil-sizes.html


Check JoAnn's Fabrics or another fabric store once you figure out the kind of zipper you need. JoAnn's also has 40% off coupons occasionally, so you can save a bit. Amazon also has different zippers. You can do a search, "Metal teeth zipper blue 20-inch" etc. Once you get all the zippers, then bring them to a dry cleaner. They usually have a tailor there who can put them on. If you do most of the work (finding the zippers,) it may be a less expensive process than if they have to do it.


@NotUrsula was a professional seamstress. She may have more info.


If you just need a new zipper puller put on and not have the whole zipper replaced, that's actually an easy fix. It just requires a very small flathead screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to slightly pry open the bottom end of the zipper pull (from the back side.) Lay the zipper pull on a table and hold it down. Make sure there is fabric or cushioning under the pull so you don't scratch the table. Open the bottom of the pull just enough to slide it off the teeth. Do the same with the new zipper pull.

Slide the new pull on the zipper and gently close the bottom with a pair of pliers on either side of the loop. Don't put the pliers over the loop or you will break it. (See photo.) Don't squeeze too much or you will crush the pull and it won't slide up and down. Do less instead of more. You can always squeeze again. Squeeze just enough so it slides easily. Put some tape over the pull before using the pliers, so the paint on the pull doesn't get marred.

 

[NotUrsula]

I can't be the only one who has accumulated a serious collection of zipper hoodies through recent events. Now, a few of these zippers are just failing, falling to bits in the washer and dryer cycle... but I'm not ready to let go I still love them. A tailor will replace them and it will look like a sad Frankenhoodie. I've tried to find snap on ones but the size thing is a mess, like how do I know the size if the bit is gone, who is using teeny zippers? Mine are hoodie size and all the zippers seem to be roughly the same, is there a bag of replacement hoodie zippers that exists? Anyone doing this successfully and have tips on brands? I found some but the reviews are awful.

With the whole environmental movement wouldn't saving clothing from landfills be a thing? Doesn't seem like a thing from where I'm looking, just sayin'

I'd love to help, but I can't figure out from the post exactly what the problem is. Has the zipper itself failed, or just the pull? Full-zip hoodies have separating zippers, so are you also having problems with the metal stops at the bottom?

As Imzadi said, there are different types. Depending on the size of hoodie you are buying, the length of the zipper will vary, but that's easy; you just measure it from top to bottom. She already explained how to change out the pulls, but I'd one detail; the pliers you should use are bent-tip needlenose pliers; that will keep the pressure of the pliers off the teeth of the zipper when you tighten down the pull.

If the pull mechanism itself if still sliding, but the tab is broken off; that's a super-easy fix; you can buy packs of tabs from Amazon that just snap on. You can buy packs of zipper pulls and also zippers from Amazon, etsy, and eBay as well; I do it all the time because it is MUCH less expensive than fabric stores. If the metal stops are gone from the bottom of the zipper, then you really have to replace the zipper.

Zipper thickness is classed by the type of garment it is used on; the zippers on your hoodies will all be separating regular jacket-weight zippers (as opposed to heavy-duty, which is used on parka-weight coats.)

All zippers now are made in China except some of the really long metal ones designed to secure slipcovers. The name-brands you will find in fabric stores are either Coats & Clarks or YKK, but they are really all about the same quality within weights, so you won't lose quality buying them in bulk.

If you sew and want to replace zippers yourself, be sure that you have a standard zipper foot available; most zippers sold for garments these days are the invisible type, so newer sewing machines are now often shipped with those, but separating zippers are applied with a standard foot. Putting a separating zipper on a hoodie is about the easiest zipper insertion there is; you will find that carefully picking out the stitching to remove the old zipper will take you about 2X as long as sewing in the new one. Get a good sharp seam ripper for the job; I recommend a lighted one with a magnifier on the end. (If you plan to pay someone to put the zippers in, taking out the old ones yourself first will save you money, but don't tear up the fabric, because if you do a hack job the new zipper will not go in straight.)

PS: Start zipping your hoodies all the way closed and washing them inside out; the zippers will hold up better in the wash that way.

PPS: As a PP said, leather jackets are a whole different animal; you special tools to work on leather.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I used to think zipping them up was what ruined them and got the clothes all twisted in knots and caused unnecessary strain, I love things with zippers so I'll try to zip. So this is the part that keeps falling off, first it's the pull that snaps the loop and then the whole thing just comes off:


Fairly sure this one was from one of the Old Navy ones.
I picked up some snapping kind before but maybe I was doing something wrong because it didn't work out, but I'll try again.

I have a sewing machine and am ok with the work of replacing the whole thing but the trouble is the colors are always so off, there is just no way to even closely match that perfect shade of blush. Even if they look sort of ok the weight of the zipper never seems to match so it will lay weird. I am certain there is a artsy flair that could work, but I don't have that "it" factor so my attempts look like Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, minus the endearment.

 

[bcla]

There really is no substitute for YKK these days. Talon used to be good decades ago. I remember when they were what Levi's used when all jeans were made in the US, but those days are over and they shifted all production offshore.

 

[NotUrsula]

I used to think zipping them up was what ruined them and got the clothes all twisted in knots and caused unnecessary strain, I love things with zippers so I'll try to zip. So this is the part that keeps falling off, first it's the pull that snaps the loop and then the whole thing just comes off:
View attachment 605963

Fairly sure this one was from one of the Old Navy ones.
I picked up some snapping kind before but maybe I was doing something wrong because it didn't work out, but I'll try again.

I have a sewing machine and am ok with the work of replacing the whole thing but the trouble is the colors are always so off, there is just no way to even closely match that perfect shade of blush. Even if they look sort of ok the weight of the zipper never seems to match so it will lay weird. I am certain there is a artsy flair that could work, but I don't have that "it" factor so my attempts look like Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, minus the endearment.

That's the slider, so you can replace that with bent needle-nose pliers as Imzadi suggested. I get mine cheaply by going to garage sales & thrift stores so I can cut them off similar-weight zippers on used clothes. Cheaper than a fabric store and you get a dust-rag bonus. Go for complementary colors, rather than trying to match. (For hoodies, if you do this, take them off other hoodies; you need the slide from a separating zipper.)

With sewing in a new zipper, the problem you are having with what you perceived as the "weight" of the zipper is almost certainly not that; odds are it's the degree of stretch you are putting into the knit fabric as you sew it. You should not be putting any stretch into it, but the tension of the machine's feed dogs alone may do it with a knit. The answer is sticking the zipper on with 1/4" water-soluble stabilizer tape (aka "Wonder Tape") on the stitch line first; it will prevent inadvertent stretch, and it will dissolve and wash away the first time you wash it. It also eliminates any need to pin down the zipper. https://www.amazon.com/Hotop-Inch-Quilting-Sewing-Rolls/dp/B075897BP4/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Sewing+Fusible+&+Hem+Tape+1/4&qid=1632084403&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-4

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

PS: Start zipping your hoodies all the way closed and washing them inside out; the zippers will hold up better in the wash that way.

Yup. Anything with a zipper you should zip it up and wash it inside out if possible. Not only can it help lengthen the time the zipper is around, it helps it not clang against your machine potentially damaging it or other clothing.

Some of my jackets I wash in delicate bags all zipped up and inside out if they are of a more delicate fabric as an added layer of protection. But I do generally wash on the delicate cycle anyways.

 

[Imzadi]

Go for complementary colors, rather than trying to match.

I agree. Instead of trying to match the blush hoodie color, pick a coordinating color, like maybe a burgundy. Or if you usually wear the hoodie with black pants, pick a black zipper. If your hoodies have a logo or design, maybe pick one of those colors.