Few wardrobe malfunctions are as frustrating as a zipper that comes completely off the track, especially when it happens to your favorite jacket. But fear not! With a few minutes and a needle and thread, you can get your zipper back on track — no sewing skills necessary. See the video showing how to fix a zipper that come off the track and continue reading for a step-by-step tutorial to learn how to get a zipper back on track.
Video: How to Fix a Zipper That Came Completely Off the Track
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Things You'll Need
Sharp scissors
Zipper slide
Hand-sewing needle
Thread
1. Remove defective zipper stop
When your zipper decides to make a break for it and comes completely off the track, it's often due to a pesky defective zipper stop lurking at either end. Your first mission is to bid farewell to that troublesome stop. Armed with a pair of sharp scissors, remove the culprit.
Tip
If possible, use scissors that are specifically designed for fabric. They will easily cut through fabric to remove the zipper stop.
2. Position zipper slide back onto the teeth
With the damaged stop out of the way, you can now place the slider over the teeth on the side that has the zipper stop at the bottom. Run the slider down the zipper teeth several inches to get it out of the way.
3. Create new zipper stop
Take your needle and thread and begin whipstitching between the top two zipper teeth. Guide the needle up from the bottom, looping it around the teeth. Repeat this process, bringing the needle up from the bottom again and looping around the teeth about 10 times or until secure. As you tighten the thread, a loop forms between the zipper teeth, creating a new top stop and acting as a barrier to keep the zipper slide in place.
Do the same thing on the top of the other zipper tape.
And there you have it! You've not only navigated the tricky territory of a derailed zipper but also emerged victorious, with your beloved jacket back in action. And that's how to get a zipper back on track.
Zippers might seem intimidating, but with a little patience and the right steps, they're nothing more than a puzzle waiting to be solved. So, the next time you encounter a zipper that's gone off track, don't shelve that jacket just yet. Arm yourself with this guide, take a deep breath and tackle that zipper head-on—because now you're a bona fide zipper whisperer. Happy zipping!
