What zip problems do travellers have?
1 Your suitcase zip comes apart from the suitcase or the zip pull breaks.
To temporarily use a broken zip, thread a twist tie through the loop which is left.
If a zip on a suitcase goes, you can reattach it with a large darning needle. Or sew toegether the broken parts. Use the half which still works.
If possible, take to a suitcase shop to replace. If they say it is not worthwhile, take the suitcase home and remove zips before disposing of the suitcase, or keep it above your wardrobe to store handbags and tote bags.
You may need to repair smaller zips on jackets and bags, skirt closures, or insert zips into pockets which need a zip.
Why would you want to hand sew a zip?
1 Your old zip has come loose.
2 The old zip is broken and needs replacing by a new one.
3 An open tote bag neds a zip to prevent theft and prevent items falling out.
4 You bought a sleeveless jacket with lots of pockets but they are all flaps or open and you want zips for security.
First, where do you get a zip in a hurry?
1 Save the zipped bags containing socks from flights, for example, on Singapore Airlines.
2 Check your bathroom for zipped toiletry bags you never use. Or ask the family if they have unwanted items containing zips.
3 Buy in the needlework or crafts department of a department store, when open. John Lewis in the UK. Spotlight in Singapore and Australia and New Zealand.
4 Buy online. Check lengths. Choose metal, sturdy, or nylon, or lightweight.
5 Buy in a cheap shop such as Daeso, all over Asia.
6 Buy cheap purse in Pound shop, dollar wise or similar just to get the zip.
7 Save zips from accessories such as broken bags or discarded jackets.
8 Remove a zip from garment you never wear which does not need a zip and put it in the garment you want to wear.
9 Remove a zip from an inner pocket and put press studs on the innder pocket and the matching zip on the outside of the garment.
10 Save zips from the outsides and insides of old suitcases.
Sewing a zip is easy. Two long lines of straight stitching up the sides. One short line of stright stitching across the lower end of the zip. Two tiny rows of straight stiching to secure the two tabs at the top.
I wrote this on Facebook in reply to somebody else's post.
HAND SEW A ZIP If you don't have a sewing machine, it is easier than it looks. Just decide whether you want your zip hidden or exposed. At what height do you want the pull tab. Pin the pull tab in place. Then pin the other end. Pin the middle of both sides of the zip. Sew a stright line, with matching colour cotton. Best to do a tacking stitch (Big running stitch) first, which can be easily pulled out if the zip is in the wrong place. Sew neatly up both sides, making sure you do not attach the zip to the other side of the garment at the back. Make sure the end of the zip is tucked in. Oversew the end so the zip pull doesn't pull out of the end.Any questions or problems?Angela Lansbury, Author of: How to get our of the mess your'e in (lulu.com).
Tips For Tricky Bits
What could go wrong?
Stitching is too near the zip teeth.
You have sewn the zip to the back of the garment which was underneath.
You cannot be bothered to sew the end of the zip and just tuck it in. If the zip is long the zip pull disappears beyond the end of the zip. The zip pull comes off the end and you spend hours trying to line up the two ends to get it back on.
Sewing Machines
For years I had sewing machine attachments for button holes and other items and never used them.
What can a sewing machine do? You need to keep the needle away from the zip teeth. to control a short line of stiching at the end of the zip.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Happy sewing!
When hunting for zips online, they may appear under the words zip or zipper.
Useful websites
https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-in-a-Zipper
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Arts-Crafts-Sewing-Zippers/zgbs/arts-crafts/2933767011
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, atuhor and speaker. Pleae bookmark and share your favourite posts.
1 Your suitcase zip comes apart from the suitcase or the zip pull breaks.
To temporarily use a broken zip, thread a twist tie through the loop which is left.
If a zip on a suitcase goes, you can reattach it with a large darning needle. Or sew toegether the broken parts. Use the half which still works.
If possible, take to a suitcase shop to replace. If they say it is not worthwhile, take the suitcase home and remove zips before disposing of the suitcase, or keep it above your wardrobe to store handbags and tote bags.
You may need to repair smaller zips on jackets and bags, skirt closures, or insert zips into pockets which need a zip.
Why would you want to hand sew a zip?
1 Your old zip has come loose.
2 The old zip is broken and needs replacing by a new one.
3 An open tote bag neds a zip to prevent theft and prevent items falling out.
4 You bought a sleeveless jacket with lots of pockets but they are all flaps or open and you want zips for security.
First, where do you get a zip in a hurry?
1 Save the zipped bags containing socks from flights, for example, on Singapore Airlines.
2 Check your bathroom for zipped toiletry bags you never use. Or ask the family if they have unwanted items containing zips.
3 Buy in the needlework or crafts department of a department store, when open. John Lewis in the UK. Spotlight in Singapore and Australia and New Zealand.
4 Buy online. Check lengths. Choose metal, sturdy, or nylon, or lightweight.
5 Buy in a cheap shop such as Daeso, all over Asia.
6 Buy cheap purse in Pound shop, dollar wise or similar just to get the zip.
7 Save zips from accessories such as broken bags or discarded jackets.
8 Remove a zip from garment you never wear which does not need a zip and put it in the garment you want to wear.
9 Remove a zip from an inner pocket and put press studs on the innder pocket and the matching zip on the outside of the garment.
10 Save zips from the outsides and insides of old suitcases.
Sewing a zip is easy. Two long lines of straight stitching up the sides. One short line of stright stitching across the lower end of the zip. Two tiny rows of straight stiching to secure the two tabs at the top.
I wrote this on Facebook in reply to somebody else's post.
HAND SEW A ZIP If you don't have a sewing machine, it is easier than it looks. Just decide whether you want your zip hidden or exposed. At what height do you want the pull tab. Pin the pull tab in place. Then pin the other end. Pin the middle of both sides of the zip. Sew a stright line, with matching colour cotton. Best to do a tacking stitch (Big running stitch) first, which can be easily pulled out if the zip is in the wrong place. Sew neatly up both sides, making sure you do not attach the zip to the other side of the garment at the back. Make sure the end of the zip is tucked in. Oversew the end so the zip pull doesn't pull out of the end.Any questions or problems?Angela Lansbury, Author of: How to get our of the mess your'e in (lulu.com).
Tips For Tricky Bits
What could go wrong?
Stitching is too near the zip teeth.
You have sewn the zip to the back of the garment which was underneath.
You cannot be bothered to sew the end of the zip and just tuck it in. If the zip is long the zip pull disappears beyond the end of the zip. The zip pull comes off the end and you spend hours trying to line up the two ends to get it back on.
Sewing Machines
For years I had sewing machine attachments for button holes and other items and never used them.
What can a sewing machine do? You need to keep the needle away from the zip teeth. to control a short line of stiching at the end of the zip.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Happy sewing!
When hunting for zips online, they may appear under the words zip or zipper.
Useful websites
https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-in-a-Zipper
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Arts-Crafts-Sewing-Zippers/zgbs/arts-crafts/2933767011
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, atuhor and speaker. Pleae bookmark and share your favourite posts.
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