Replacing a broken Zipper - please help

Crushinboots · 5th June 2004, 20:03

Dear one and all I am writing this sessage in the hope that someone could shed some light on a HUGE problem that I have got.
The zips on one of my faveroute pair of Crotch high boots has broken and everytime I try to zip it up it unzips itself beneath the zip tag as it goes up.
These are one of my fav pairs of boots and I am dredding not being able to do anything with them as they are custom made and I wear them alot around the house as they are comfy as hell. All I ask of the wonderful people who come to this site is there anyone who will know what to do? Would a normal shoe repair place be able to help?
Please let me know.
Thanking you.
Yours
Crushinboots

Message moved to repair forum and title edited to make it clear what the topic relates to. FF

hoverfly · 5th June 2004, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crushinboots

Would a normal shoe repair place be able to help?
Please let me know.
Crushinboots

Yes, simply put they will cut out the old zipper and install a new one.

Thighbootguy · 5th June 2004, 21:44

I have had zippers replace on boots. The cobbler generally puts in a better zipper then the original. They may have to special order a zipper that long, so it may take a little longer then normal.

Crushinboots · 5th June 2004, 22:01

Thank you very much to the guys who have eased my fears. That to me is what this site is all about. Us folks helping each other in everyway.
Thanks
Crushinboots

Firefox · 5th June 2004, 23:32

It's actually not too difficult to cut the old zip out and sew in a new one. Normally leather working needs special holes made with an awl, but in this case you can clean out the the old holes in the leather and use those. If you don't trust your sewing skills, even a competant dress maker or tailor should be able to do it.

Thighbootguy · 6th June 2004, 00:21

My experience has been that if one zipper failed, the seconf failure is close at hand. Have the cobbler replace both zippers. While the boots are in for repart, check the heel tips to.

Dr. Shoe · 7th June 2004, 21:43

Can't really add anything to any of these posts except to say that if you're going to a dressmaker, you might as well go to an expert ie a shoemaker. Moreover, shoe zips are different from clothing ones as the teeth are usually a coarser pitch making them stronger.

Firefox · 7th June 2004, 23:58

The zips may be different, but sewing them in is pretty similar. I'd say give it a try. Sewing is not a difficult skill to learn. Pay attention to regularity of the holes, and where the needle is entering and leaving the work. Go slowly and get it right before you complete the stich. Pull your stitches tight, use a strong thick thread and a strong stitch such as back stitch.

Dr. Shoe · 9th June 2004, 21:44

The main problem is the fact that hand sewing (unless done properly with two needles) is not a strong as a machine stitch.

gary0618 · 3rd July 2004, 02:07

I had the same problem once. It was my fault as I got the zipper stuck about half way up, and in forcing it down, it got all confused and would not work correctly again.

Well, I was very hesitant to go to a local shoe repair shop. I was wondering how many crotch high boots they see. Anyway, the repair man only told me that he would have to order a new zipper as he had none that long. No surprise there. A week later and the boot was better then new, with a nicer and stronger looking zipper.

The only comments the repair man had were, "this was a lot more work than I first thought" , and he commented on how nice the boots were.

So go ahead, get them fixed.