Need new zipper for my gearbag

[lilchief 1]

My gearbag is in dire need of a new zipper. I assumed that the local sewing stores had zippers in plenty, but they only matched pants.

Looked at Paragear but they only have 36" or 72" lengths. Mine need to be approx 55" long and possibly dividable(makes it easier to install).

It's a older Square1 large gearbag.

Any tips, links, pointer on sewing it and finding the zipper?

I know that I need to have even pressure on the thread on both sides when sewing, so it's best to do it in one day.

I'm using a Pfaff 118 industrial machine with zig-zag + straight.

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no

[missbrz 0]

Buy the too long one & shorten it. I'm not familiar with the machine you're using, but I got these insturctions off a website. You could google more if needed:

Shorten a zipper: If the zipper you have to use is too long, shortening it is a simple operation. First, mark the correct length with a chalk mark on the zipper tape. Double-check this against where ever you will be installing the zipper. For a tooth zipper you will need a pair of pliers. Pull off 1" worth of teeth above the mark. You may have to actually 'crack" the teeth to get them off. Now, you need to make a new stop. You can use a purchased stop from any mail order source or you can make a bar tack with a wide zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. To do this, set the length on "0" and use a fairly wide stitch. Your goal is to block the slider from sliding right off of the teeth. When you install the zipper, the excess zipper tape needs to be folded out of the way; the fold will also help 'stop' the slider. Another way to shorten a tooth zipper is to just sew it into the seam. You need to fold the tape, with teeth still intact, at a 90-degree angle. The excess should be aimed towards the edge of the fabric. When you sew the zipper tape onto the fabric, you will stitch right over the teeth (hopefully through the space in between the teeth so you don't break a needle) then just trim the excess off. Coil zippers can be shortened just by cutting to desired length; just leave enough length to go into the seam allowance. Typically, coil zipper are sewn in on both ends.


I've only shortened the smaller dress zippers, but it should work on larger zippers too.

[lilchief 1]

sweet! thanks for the tip!

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no

[AndyMan 7]

Zippers are easily purchased at any sewing store. The one in my neighborhood is 'Jo-Anne' fabrics. Another big chain is Michaels.

I like to buy the big beefy plastic ones. They can be cut to desired length, the then cut end sewn off with some binding tape.

I like buying zippers in person as I can be sure of the color match.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[pincheck 0]

yeh take it to your local seamstress if you can't use a machine yourself. Not a big job for them so quite cheap.

Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun

[riggerrob 643]

I lke to sew zippers on - 3/4 of the way - before cutting anything.