Is this mendable?

[u/Ferrarus]

Hi all,

The teeth on my backpack zip have detached from the fabric, but also have warped slightly, so the zip gets stuck if it goes over this section.

If the teeth were ok, I would just stitch it back into the fabric of the bag, but I’m not sure if it would work properly even if I did. Is there anything I can do to fix it, or do I just need to replace the bag?

A local cobbler quoted me £28 to replace the zip, which is basically more than the bag.

Thanks in advance

[u/tricolon]

Treat the zipper as one unit: if the coil has separated from the zipper's fabric tape, the zipper is broken and should be replaced. £28 feels like a fair price for repair if they do good work with a short turnaround time.

[u/Ferrarus → u/tricolon]

Ok fair enough. I was thinking of it compared to just replacing the bag. But I’d prefer to be sustainable and keep the same one if possible. Thanks for your input

[u/AccidentOk5240 → u/Ferrarus]

I try not to compare the cost of repairs to the cost of replacement, because, like you, I value sustainability, and the cost of discarding a repairable item is therefore pretty high for me regardless of the financial cost of the replacement!

[u/broom_rocket → u/Ferrarus]

Maybe see if you can seam rip the zipper out ahead of time to save some labor? I don't know the cobblers plan but disassembly would be the longest part of this repair for me (hobbyist)

[u/a_bongos → u/broom_rocket]

Don't do this. If you're talking to the cobbler, ask them, but often with a zipper replace it's easier to just cut the teeth off, cauterize the zipper tape and stitch to the opening. Depends on the piece, here a seam rip might be the way but when I do jackets or tents it's not helpful

[u/a_bongos → u/Ferrarus]

That's a super fair price. Way to be sustainable! Good job!

[u/Secure_Traffic_5273 → u/a_bongos]

And this! Too many things are too cheap to replace. It's worth the cost of fixing it if it saves it from landfill.

[u/BellowYottle]

Mendable by replacing the whole zipper. Once the teeth separate from the tape, its over.

[u/Ferrarus → u/BellowYottle]

Yeah I had feared that to be the case. Thanks for the help

[u/Sarmmf → u/[deleted]]

I've done that too and it lasted as long as the thread was able to handle the friction from the zipper (a few months). After the first fix, I noticed it starting to fray and was able to restitch it (much easier held in place by the first fix!) and it's lasted another year so far. Granted it's on a purse that doesn't get overfilled much so once the zipper is closed there's no stretching pressure on it, unlike the pressure I'd expect on a backpack.

[u/Ferrarus → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the comment! For me, I use this bag daily for work and gym so I’d need it to last. If I can’t do a long term fix myself I’ll have to look elsewhere

[u/Secure_Traffic_5273 → u/Ferrarus]

If you really want it to last, buy a YKK zipper and have them install that.

[u/coryleif → u/[deleted]]

Same. I've had good luck restitching coils down. Try to get some nylon thread around T70 weight. And wax it. If you do get the zipper replaced, have 'em put the zipper the other way round, with the coil facing out. It looks cool to have the tape side out but it causes the slider to rub on the coil thread more.

[u/Large-Heronbill]

There's a cheap trick I use on zippers on things like down parkas where I really don't want to do the work it takes to do it correctly: I rip or cut the teeth off the old zipper tapes, leaving them still stitched on, stabilize the remaining tape so it doesn't fray, and hand sew the new zipper to the old tape.  A couple of hours in a recliner with an old movie, and it's done. 

It won't look like the original, but if you stitch uniformly, it will be strong and look different but not objectionable.

[u/Secure_Traffic_5273 → u/Large-Heronbill]

Done this. Zipper breaks on jacket, cut away teethy bit and sew new zipper right in. Not pretty but makes a fantastic work jacket.

[u/Large-Heronbill → u/Secure_Traffic_5273]

If you want to pretty it up, consider binding the old tape with something like a narrow strip of bias before adding the new zipper.  But yeah, this is a great jacket rescue -- so great, I used it on a tent zipper!

[u/Ok-Detail-9853]

What can't be seen is how far apart the bag needs to be disassembled to get to the zipper. $28 is a fair price. If anything its low

[u/Sudzy1225]

r/visiblemending

[u/Secure_Traffic_5273]

I was quoted £25 to replace the aqua guard zipper on a puffy water proof coat if I provide the zipper. I make webbing and stuff and don't do fiddly fabrics so I throught that was a good deal.

Like another guy said with your example, ony coat there are about five layers terminating at the and zipper it becomes a pain in the arse.

[u/Necessary_Goose6933]

You can't cut a zipper off and sew another one on, by hand?

For me that would be one or two bus rides basically, depending how long the ride.

You can even save yourself half the trouble by only replacing the upper side of the Zipper, if you find compatible zipper and can put both metsl thingies on.

But if that's a hassle, really find any zipper of that length and get to it. I'd use high contrast string fir myself, as I like to show my own work, thst this was made by hand not machine, or use darker string for blending in.

It's VERY much worth doing, not just to save on money but to get you editing. First step you're fixing zippers, next you're adding or customizing them, very cool skill for life. 👍✨

Just make sure you cut the string holding zipper to bag, with a small knife, don't cut the zipper or the textile, but the string between them. Then you will need a string and needle. I use large needles and thick string, as it'll hold with fewer stitches. You can use 2 colors, make X patterns, the world is yours 👍✨

[u/Necessary_Goose6933 → u/Necessary_Goose6933]

https://reddit.com/link/pbj96m2/video/kuolc2wwq8rh1/player

Don't let the fact that I'm a messy hoarder, take away from the joys of hand stitching.

You obviously like or love that bag.

Hand stitching a new zipper onto it is pure medicine. Do this now, a whole new world will open to you 🫠✨🚀🚀🚀