With temperatures plummeting, this broken zipper fix couldn’t have come at a better time!

Zippers quite literally hold our lives together. From our trusty jackets to that ‘perfect fit’ pair of jeans, they quietly do their job… until they don’t. A broken zipper has a knack for striking at the worst times. But is there ever a good time?

Broken Zipper Fix Back Story

It was one of those brisk, afternoons—the kind where you need a jacket but secretly wonder if two might be better. Hubs and I were out for our usual walk, savouring the chilly air and pretending we were outdoorsy types. Somewhere between watching the squirrels gathering up their winter sustenance and debating whether it was still too early to think about hot cocoa, Hubs casually mentioned that his jacket zipper had been acting up.

“Just a little stubborn,” he said, shrugging it off.

The Struggle is Real!

Fast forward to when we got home. That ‘stubborn zipper’ had graduated to full-on mutiny. It wouldn’t budge. Not up, not down, not sideways. Panic set in. For a brief, horrifying moment, we seriously thought we’d have to sacrifice the jacket—and Hubs’ dignity—by cutting him free like some sort of fashion hostage.

Determined to save both man and garment, Hubs launched into a battle of wills with the zipper. There was grunting. Then there was yanking. There may have even been some loud words that perked up the neighbours ears. Finally, with one last effort, he managed to lower it just enough to free himself.

He yanked the jacket over his head like a frustrated toddler with a sweater, triumphant but exhausted.

For the longest time, Hubs had a huge safety pin dangling from the end when the pull tab fell off the slider. And that worked for a while.

Until the fateful day described above. Finally, he remembered some packages of FixnZip in the drawer!

FixnZip to the Rescue!

[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The blue links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]

You see, a few years ago, Hubs had bought a few sizes of FixnZip, then squirrelled them away in a drawer when he decided to ‘borrow’ my exact jacket instead of trying to fix his own. What can I say? We have the same taste in jackets! He wore my jacket until it suffered the same fate.

I hesitate to mention that I’m a fashion designer by trade and could easily have replaced the zipper myself. But when it comes to repairs, I’d rather make the entire jacket than do a repair. And so we’re like the shoemaker’s children who go barefoot around here.

Desperate for a warm jacket to wear, Hubs now had no choice but to try the FixnZip – and it worked!

Determine Size of FixnZip

To determine the zipper size, and find the replacement zipper slider to buy, you’ll need to find some information on your original zipper. Hubs found it on the back of the YKK zipper slider, shown below.

Then refer to the instructions to install. This is the back of the packaging, showing the three sizes available – small, medium and large. We needed the medium size.

Hubs’ (or actually ‘my’) jacket has an open-end zipper that separates. You attach the FixnZip to one side.

Then you’ll be able to insert the other side as usual and zip away.

Back in business again!

We have a spare large size. But now that we know the medium works, we’ll have to order another one and fix the other jacket too. Maybe I’ll get my jacket back :).

Replacing a zipper can be expensive (around $40-$70) – not to mention the downtime. But FixnZip is a breeze. So if you ever find yourself in a zipper predicament, give this a try!

By the way, have you ever wondered who invented the zipper? if you’re interested in the history of the zipper, check out the link!

From fixing a water leak from a fridge, to a gas fireplace that won’t light, there’s always something that needs fixing. It never ends! But here at Birdz of a Feather, we always find a way!

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