Repairing Guides

how to repair a sleeping bag zipper

by Michel Kihn Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Diagnose the Problem. Zippers can stop working for a variety of reasons. ...
  • Pack the Right Tools. There are a few tools you’ll need to have on hand if you want to repair your sleeping bag zipper on the fly.
  • Tighten with Pliers. When tightening a zipper, it’s better to tighten a bit at a time and take stock of your progress rather than tighten too much at once.
  • Replace with a Kit. If your slider is too worn out to be fixed by mere tightening, grab your trusty pliers and a repair kit and go to town.
  • Skip the Professional. Unless your zipper is ruined beyond repair, you can avoid visiting a seamstress or replacing your whole sleeping bag.

Part of a video titled How to Fix a Sleeping Bag Zipper || REI - YouTube
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For a temporary fix you can try gently squeezing the sides of the slider together. But don't overdoMoreFor a temporary fix you can try gently squeezing the sides of the slider together. But don't overdo it where you could damage the zipper.

Full Answer

How do I fix a zipper that wont stay up?

  • End nippers. These can be found at your local hardware store and can be used to cut nails, wires, and zipper stops.
  • Tweezers.
  • Small pliers.
  • A replacement zipper slider, which you can buy at your local craft or fabric store. ...
  • A replacement zipper stop. Zipper stops can be made of metal (for coil zipper sliders) or plastic (for plastic tooth zippers).

How do you zip up a sleeping bag?

Good value for money, too. Slightly more expensive this one, but we like Marmot’s outdoor gear and this sleeping bag option is a very reliable companion for those warmer weather adventures. We liked the full-length zip, and the multi-baffle hood which ...

How do I repair a hole in my sleeping bag?

Repair Torn Gear – Patch a Hole in a Tent, Jacket or Sleeping Bag

  • Repair Torn Gear: The Tools. This is gonna be a short one. Cause all you really need is gear repair tape. ...
  • Get to it. If you have a hole in a jacket, tent, or sleeping bag, make sure the area around the tear is clean and dry, then cut the patch ...
  • Done and Done. Too easy, right? And to think, you were considering trashing that gear altogether. ...

How to fix a hole in a sleeping bag?

Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Storing a Sleeping Bag at Home Download Article

  1. Wash the bag if necessary. If the sleeping bag gets dirty, wash it in a front-loaded washing machine.
  2. Air out the sleeping bag after each trip. Never store a sleeping bag while it is wet or even a little damp.
  3. Leave it uncompressed during storage. ...
  4. Protect it from insects and water. ...

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How much does it cost to replace a sleeping bag zipper?

Your first option would be to take it to a seamstress. You'll get your sleeping bag back good as new, but it will also run you anywhere from $60-$100, depending on their pricing. This is only a viable option if you're in town and not using the bag.

How do you put a new zipper on a sleeping bag?

Instructions to replace the zipper in a sleeping bagStep 1: Examine the Sleeping Bag. Unzipper the sleeping bag and examine the sleeping bag and its broken zipper carefully. ... Step 2: Rip Out the Old Zipper. ... Step 3: Pin On the New Zipper. ... Step 4: Stich on the New Zipper. ... Step 5: Finishing Touches.

Can a ripped zipper be fixed?

You may encounter this problem more often on clothing items that get a lot of wear and tear. Unless you replace the zipper entirely, there's no real permanent fix for this problem.

How do you fix a zipper that came off the track?

How to Fix a Zipper That Came Completely Off the TrackExamine the zipper stop closely to make sure it is not be warped or broken. ... Match the sides of the zipper. ... Put the zipper stop on one side of the zipper. ... Squeeze the sides of the zipper stop to get them back to their original position.

How do you fix a zipper without replacing it?

How to Fix a Zipper (without Replacing It)Step 1: What You'll Need. You will only need a pair of pliers. ... Step 2: Remove Stopper. ... Step 3: Remove Zipper Pull. ... Step 4: Adjust the Zipper Pull. ... Step 5: Put Back the Zipper Pull. ... Step 6: Put Back the Tooth. ... Step 7: Done!

How do you fix a zipper with a fork?

3:186:11Fork Trick to Put Zipper Heads On Zipper Yardage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I can jiggle it on and I'm done but if you really want to use a fork. All you do is is you put aMoreSo I can jiggle it on and I'm done but if you really want to use a fork. All you do is is you put a tine on either side of the bridge. Like that make it so nice to found all the way.

How do you fix a broken jacket zipper?

0:001:00How to Fix a Zipper on a Jacket - Quick and Easy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe zipper around the lower outside edge making sure not to crush the pull tab. And give it a gentleMoreThe zipper around the lower outside edge making sure not to crush the pull tab. And give it a gentle squeeze. And then repeat that process on the other side.

How do you fix a zipper that comes off one side?

1:174:00How to Fix a Zipper That's Come Off One Side of the Track - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you want to gently on the back butt end of the zipper. Here clamp this down lightly with pliers.MoreAnd you want to gently on the back butt end of the zipper. Here clamp this down lightly with pliers. Because it needs that pressure in order to zip the two sides of the track.

What to do if your sleeping bag slider is too worn out?

If your slider is too worn out to be fixed by mere tightening, grab your trusty pliers and a repair kit and go to town. Zippers on sleeping bags will typically have a metal stopper at the bottom of the zipper that keeps the slider from sliding off into infinity.

How to remove a zipper stopper?

To remove an enclosed zipper stopper, use a seam ripper to remove the seams around the stopper. Be sure to keep the bottom of the zipper attached to the fabric of your sleeping bag. You can pull the seam apart on your own but using a seam ripper is more precise.

How to tighten zipper slider?

To tighten a zipper slider that has been stretched out from debris or overuse, place your pliers on the outside of the slider with one side on the left of the slider and one side on the right. Squeeze gently and then do the same on the inside half of the slider.

Why does my zipper stop shutting?

Often, a slider will stop shutting your zipper because it’s been loosened up too much and tightening it with pliers can usually get it working like new again.

What is a slider zipper?

The slider is the mechanism that slides (go figure) up and down, connecting the two sides of the zipper to one another. If that slider gets worn out or warped, it can stop doing its job well. Frequent use can wear a zipper out, making it unable to remain closed.

Why isn't my zipper working?

It’s important to understand why your zipper isn’t working so you can decide on the best course of action for repairing it! Sometimes, dirt and dust can get into your zipper’s teeth, warping them and preventing them from connecting properly.

Why do sleeping bags tear?

Since you use sleeping bags outdoors, they can sometimes be exposed to sharp branches or rocks. The outdoors are relentless and even when you take the best care of your gear, tears happen.

How to change zipper on sleeping bag?

Using your memory or pictures, pin the zipper into place as the original zipper was sewn in place (like you observed in Step 1). Start at the top of the sleeping bag (a few inches below the top of the sleeping bag, really – most zippers don’t actually go all the way to the top) with one side of the new zipper. Pin along the old stitching line (you can often see this, but if you can’t, you may want to mark it before you begin pinning) all the way to the end of the zipper, being careful to keep the zipper flat against the sleeping bag. If the zipper isn’t long enough to reach the end of the sleeping bag opening, or is too long, don’t worry about it. We’ll deal with that later. For now, just pin to the end of the zipper, or to the end of the sleeping bag opening and let the excess hang loose. Repeat with the other side of the zipper, matching the inches from the top of the sleeping bag to the top of the zipper as the side you already pinned.

How to fix zipper sticking off sleeping bag?

If there is zipper sticking off the bottom of the sleeping bag, pin the excess zipper flat along the next side of the sleeping bag. For example, I once installed a 100-in. (2.5 m) sleeping bag zipper into a mummy bag whose zipper only went down the left side. This left me with quite a bit of excess zipper. Since the zipper area ended at the bottom of the left side, I pinned the excess zipper along the bottom edge and then up the right edge as though the zipper actually went this far. For most other sleeping bags, you would be pinning zipper up the right side (if the zipper goes down the left side and then across the bottom).

How to sew a sleeping bag with a zipper?

Put the zipper foot (if your machine has one) on the sewing machine, and thread the machine with cotton sewing thread that matches the zipper. Then, following the instructions included in the sewing machine manual, stitch the zipper to the sleeping bag, removing the pins as you go. When you reach the end of the zipper (or the end of the sleeping bag, whichever comes first), reverse stich for a couple stiches, then go forward for a couple stitches, and cut the threads. Examine the stitching to make sure everything is ok (you haven’t caught any extra fabric in the stitching, for example), then repeat with the other side of the zipper. Note: if there are straps at the bottom of the sleeping bag, make sure these are pinned in place and will be stitched along with the zipper.

How to get zipper out of sleeping bag?

Pull one side of the unzipped zipper away from the sleeping bag until you can see the threads that hold the zipper to the sleeping bag between the zipper and the sleeping bag. Use the seam ripper to rip out this seam. If the sleeping bag does have straps at the bottom of the bag, these are typically sewn with the same seam as the zipper, so you’ll need to pin the straps in place before ripping out the seam across the strap. Repeat with the other side of the zipper.

How to check if a sleeping bag is ok?

Turn the sleeping bag right side out and check the seams to make sure they’re ok.

When both sides of a zipper are sewn, what do you do?

When both sides have been sewn, zip up the zipper and make sure everything looks good before moving on to the next step.

Do you need a zipper foot for a sewing machine?

A zipper foot is helpful, but not a requirement.

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