15
Zips
REDUCING THE RISK OF
JAMMING FABRIC IN THE ZIP
• When using the zip, hold the pull-tab
between your thumb and forefinger
with your thumb facing you.
• As you are closing the zip clear the way
in front and under the zip slider using
the back of your hand, and cup the zip
slider underneath with your remaining 3
fingers.
Use this action for opening or closing.
Keep the fabric clear of the zip slider - zip
and unzip slowly.
WHAT TO DO IF THE ZIPPER
GETS CAUGHT
• Pull the fabric bit by bit out of the slider.
Do not try and pull all the fabric in one
go. Do not force the slider or the fabric.
IF THE SLIDER DOES NOT CLOSE
THE ZIPPER PROPERLY
• With use, the jaws of the zip slider can
open ever so slightly. When this occurs
the slider does not compress the zip
teeth or coil together tightly enough and
the zip bursts open or does not close.
• Undo the zip and with the slider at the
end of the zip lightly crimp the jaws of
the slider together. Try top to bottom
axis first and then side to side axis.
CRIMPING A ZIP-SLIDER
The most common reason why zips burst
open is that the zip slider does not close
the coil tightly enough. Wear and tear may
cause the gap marked A to open up.
See Figure 4.
By simply ‘crimping” the slider together at
points B & C with a pair of pliers, this
solves the problem most of the time.
Crimping in other planes is worth a try if B
& C does not work. This is to be done
when the zip slider is still attached to the
zip in the open position.
See Figure 4.
A
B
C
Figure 4
