Can you use a longer zipper?
7 min read
Asked by: Jennifer Latchman
How do you use a zipper that’s too long?
The easiest way to shorten a zipper is with a needle and thread. The best zippers to shorten by hand are invisible zippers and closed end zippers. The first thing that you want to do is to thread a needle. Be sure to use thread that matches your zipper’s color.
Can I cut zipper if too long?
Metal zippers can be shortened by removing the metal teeth so that you can cut the extra length before sewing into your garment. Once you get the length right you don’t have to worry about breaking needles when sewing across the zipper.
How long can zippers be?
Length of Zipper
Zippers come in a variety of standard lengths, from 7 to 22 inches. There are other lengths available for special projects, and zippers by the yard are available.
What length zipper do I need?
When possible use a zipper 2″-4″ longer than the opening it will be sewn into. This eliminates the need to sew around the pull tab. Close the zipper for stitching so the tab is above the upper edge of the project, but don’t forget to unzip it before trimming it even with the upper edge.
Can you shorten a zipper jacket?
It's not enough it'll melt the plastic quick and easy then after you've done that you can take your cutter. Or a wood burner. Just cut your fabric off. And you've got your zipper at the right length.
Why do zippers have YKK?
YKK, it turns out, is a Japanese company. (It stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha–far too long to print on a zipper.) It’s got about half of the world’s zipper business. And it has a zipper factory in Macon, Georgia, where they make about 5 million zippers a day.
How do you shorten a plastic zipper from the bottom?
Shorten a closed bottom or separating zipper
- Mark the desired length of the zipper on the tape. …
- Remove the teeth for 1 inch above the mark. …
- After removing the teeth by any method, add new top stops with needle-nose pliers. …
- Measure the zipper’s length. …
- Cut off the excess (I use paper-cutting scissors).
How do you shorten a nylon zipper?
Just as with a regular zipper, with an invisible zipper you remove the excess zipper length from the bottom.
- Measure. Measure down from the top to where you want the new stopper to be.
- Mark. Mark straight across the zipper tape and teeth. …
- Sew. …
- Snip.
What is a zipper stop?
Description: Top stops are the metal components found toward the top end of the zipper that keep the slider from running off the zipper tracks. When shortening a zipper, use these to replace the top stops you have removed. They are also known as “top stoppers” or “top ends.”
Are YKK zippers good?
As Seth Stevenson wrote in Slate, “YKK makes incredibly dependable zippers, ships them on time without fail, offers a wide range of colors, materials, and styles, and never gets badly undercut on price.” Because of its reliability, YKK is popular for manufacturers.
What is YKK zipper?
They produce roughly half of all the zippers made each year, which equates to about seven billion of them. The YKK stands for “Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha,” Japanese for “Yoshida Company Limited.” While this is simply a foreign acronym to us, other companies have names with secret meanings.
How do you measure to replace a zipper?
Zippers are measured from metal to metal. When measuring a closed bottom zipper start at the top stop and measure down to the bottom stop. When measuring a separating zipper measure from the top stop to the bottom of the retainer box. The extra tape is not counted when measuring a zipper.
How do I know what YKK zipper I have?
On the back of each slider, there should be a couple letters and numbers. For example, if your zipper says YKK 5CN, you have a YKK brand zipper in size 5 coil.
Can you replace just the slider on a zipper?
When a zipper pull breaks, or the slider simply wears out, you don’t need to replace the entire zipper. Just replace the zipper slider and the stop that keeps it from sliding off. This is a quick repair that can make the difference between a zipper that doesn’t work at all and one that works like it’s brand new.
How do you read a YKK zipper?
YKK Zipper Sizes and Styles: How to Read YKK Product Numbers
- #8 = chain size (8mm chain width)
- Separating = zipper has finished ends.
- Automatic Lock = slider locks in place (also called AutoLok)
- Short Single Pull Metal = all descriptors for the type of slider.
- VF = VISLON.
- U = reversible automatic lock.
- V = black nickel.
What does N mean on a zipper?
N-ANTI: Means that the zipper meets the requirement for 94/27/EC for nickel.
Are plastic or metal zippers better?
Unlike plastic zippers, metal zippers are stronger and more durable. Though, they also fail at some point and this may render the garment or bag unusable. Most metal zippers fail when the insertion pin tears loose from the tape, when one or multiple metal teeth fall off the tape or when the slider jams or breaks off.
What is the difference between #3 and #5 zipper?
#3 zippers have teeth that are 3mm wide, and almost always have tape that is 1″ wide. #5 zippers have teeth that are 5mm wide, and the tape is around 1.25″ wide.
What are #5 zippers used for?
Zipper Size
- Size #4.5: Used for small home décor projects such as cushions, pillows and purses.
- Size #5: Used for medium-sized projects such as upholstery, duffel/tote bags, backpacks and jackets.
- Size #10: Used for large projects such sail packs, boat covers, marine enclosures and tents.
Do zippers come in different sizes?
The most common sizes are 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, and 10 mm to match zipper-teeth widths. The number corresponds to the closed-teeth width in millimeters. A size 5 zipper, for example, has teeth that measure 5 mm wide when the zipper is zipped.
What is the difference between open ended and closed ended zips?
Check out below images to gain a better understanding. In both cases, the zip falls into 2 halves when fully opened and detaches one side from the other. If the zip cannot be completely opened, that is, the zip halves can not be separated from one another at the end, then it is a closed end zip.
What is concealed zipper?
CONCEAL® is an invisible zipper where you can not see the element. It does not disturb the garments design so it is best suited for dresses and skirts. Also, the CONCEAL® open-end zipper can also hide the open parts so it is recommended for the jacket where the open-parts need to be hidden.
Are there different types of zippers?
There are three main types of zippers that you will come across – coil, stamped plastic, and stamped metal. Coil zippers are a popular lightweight zipper. The teeth are made of coiled nylon or polyester that is either stitched or woven into the tape.
What is a double ended zip?
A two way zipper, also called as a double or a dual, is a zipper made out of plastic or metal that can be closed or opened in two opposite directions at the same time. The stops can be located at any point along the zipper but they’re usually found at the ends especially in items like bags and luggage.
Can you change a one way zipper to two way?
I like to use a small metal skewer however a small pair of pliers will work as well. Take the zipper pull off one of your zippers and put the zipper tape aside (you won’t be needing it). Rotate the zipper pull 180° and move the zipper pull on the second zipper down a few inches so it is out of the way.
How do you connect two zippers together?
Put it back on this one side here. Bring it to the bottom. Now it's looking like a regular zipper again so you're going to take this pin.
