Zipper Fix It Tips

One of the top requests I get from people is to repair zippers on coats and jackets and hoodies.

Zippers look daunting and impossible to repair to most people because well what do you do when they simply won't zip up? Before you take your coat or jacket into an alterations shop and spend unnecessary cash here are a couple of fix it yourself tips!

Inspect the zipper to find out what the problem is...

First - inspect the teeth. Are they all in good shape? Is there one particular spot where the zipper snags? This is often caused by a thread getting in the way. Unfortunately, if the problem is broken zipper teeth the zipper will have to be replaced.

Secondly ~ does the zipper appear to be in good shape but just won't lock together? This problem is often in the slider. Over time after pulling and pulling on a zipper slider it gradually starts to open up, if this is the case it won't close your zipper. (see top photo)

This is an easy fix. Grab a set of small pliers or needle nose pliers and gently squeeze the slider back together. Be careful not to squeeze it too tight! It's harder to open the slider than close it. Test your zipper. If this doesn't work....

Often a slider will come off or break apart. Go to your local fabric store and buy a slider, they're about $1.50 and come with a top stopper. Remove the existing stopper at the top of the teeth on the side that is getting the slider. The stopper is larger than the rest of the teeth. Slip the slider on the zipper from the top down and use your pliers to squeeze on the new stopper. Test your zipper.

Remember, if you do have to replace the zipper yourself the answer is in the pinning. Pin the zipper like crazy and you shouldn't have too much trouble, oh and use a zipper foot!

Definition

A zipper is defined as a popular device for temporarily joining to edges of fabric. It is used in clothing, luggage and other bags and other daily use items.

Mechanics

The bulk of a zipper consists of two strips of fabric tape, each stitched or glued to one of the two pieces to be joined, carrying specially shaped metal or plastic teeth. These teeth can be either individual or shaped from a continuous coil. The slider moves along the rows of teeth. Inside the slider is a Y-shaped channel that meshes together or separates the rows of teeth, depending on the direction of its movement.

Background

Gideon Sundback, a swedish engineer, is credited with the invention of the zipper we use today. Even though Sundback was an American citizen, the zipper is considered a Canadian invention because Sundback had been president  of a Canadian-based company that was one of the earliest manufacturers of the zipper.

Pinterest Win!! S E W Letters for the shop!

Now that I have a totally awesome new location I have to decorate it! Especially the barn board wall. I saw these yarn covered letters on Pinterest here and decided to try it for myself.

I'm pretty happy with my work! But I will say that this took forever!! The letters are not easy to wind around and I decided to use cardboard instead of wood. You have to be careful to not wind the letters too tightly or the cardboard starts to bend. The E was by far the hardest and most time consuming although the W wasn't a lot of fun either. In the end it took me a couple hours of my time and about $20 in supplies. Will post a photo when it gets to the wall!

New Shop!! Before, During and After

Case Clothed has recently moved to 66 Main St. in Picton!

Really Great Draped Jersey Circle Top Tutorial

sweet lemonayde: Draped Jersey Circle Top Tutorial: (yep, my sister's wearing pajama pants... i advise that you don't wear it like this, haha)
You may have noticed that I like real...

Pencil Skirt in Vintage Herringbone and Bamboo 2 Tiered Top

Better late than never here come the photos from the Spring Shoot! The top is made from the softest bamboo jersey and the skirt from vintage herringbone that I picked up at the second time around! Love the leather bow belt!

Spring Photo Shoot Preview

Had a really fun day today shooting for Spring 2013. Thanks to my darling friends for suffering through modelling for me and Michael Grills for shooting for me again! More pics to come!

Mint Love Mint

Sooooo I am happy to see that mint is the it colour for Spring 2013 along with button down skirts and other reoccurring 80's trends. Has Mint ever had it's day in the lime light or mint light? Alone and not paired with dusty rose or peach or another sad popular 80's colour?

Today I photographed a doozy of a vintage treasure that's been hanging around in my closet for about 8 years and will now have its day!

                                                      The Vintage Mint Wiggle Dress

Here are some of my other fave mint fashion pieces. This one is on Etsy!! click the pic for the link!

I have a major attraction to these 80's sweater vests!

Simplicity is best.

Because it's pretty!!

Long Live the Eaton's Catalogue, Not to be Confused with the Sears Catalogue

So excited my mom happened upon these little beauties one day and brought them home to share!

We had a great time flipping through the pages of these catalogues stopping to laugh here and there mostly at underwear and appliances. The fashions are screaming with that rough and shiny polyester that no one likes to touch let alone wear anymore. Although I think these dudes particularly loved their fancy tops especially Mr. Moustache....

Ski Bunnies - Love the Green Suit the best.

Once a household staple, the Eaton's catalogue sold everything from socks to accordions to chainsaws and bath towels! Eaton's was the first retailer to produce a home catalogue and offered everything anyone needed for the home or family especially in rural areas.

There were a handful of things we found in the catalogue that I remember floating around our house as a kid. For example: Dinner set my parents got when they were married (bottom right)

This cardigan sweater I wore around a lot as a preteen thinking it was cool because it came out of my dad's closet when really it was just a huge static-electricity conductor. When I had it on I could have powered any light socket no doubt.

Switch Swatch?! Which Swatch?

I normally shy away from small non-apparel sewing projects but a couple of months ago a friend of mine, Kate Lightfoot of Sapling Yoga donated two large bags full of fabric swatches to the shop. It is now my duty to figure out what to do with them! Luckily for me another fabulous friend, Interior Designer Gilles Charette of G3 Living happened by and graciously spent some time putting colours and textures together for me and offering ideas on how to match the swatches in case I want to make pillow covers etc. etc.

So here they be. Well a small sampling of them anyway.

 

 


Now to decide how best to use them. I'm thinking, clutch purses, iphone cases, makeup bags, laptop envelopes etc. etc.
Any other ideas?

Gilles sent me this link for yoga bags which will be my first project. Pics soon!

Prom 2012

I had the pleasure back in June of last year to create a custom designed prom dress for one lucky girl! It was a lot of fun despite hand gluing all the sequins onto that tulle! Here's how it turned out!

And I'm Back on Track!

Wow! Somehow I lost track of 2012 all together! soooo I'd better hurry and catch up! Today I'll just post a little something I've been starting to work on for Spring/Summer 2013.

Infinity Scarves

More crochet!