Split Zipper Fix

What To Do When A Zipper Opens Up From The Bottom

Twelve days after I published the post on how to fix a broken zipper slider 
this happened:

To my favorite work coat. I did the zipper up in kind of a hurry, because my tiny dog with the heart of a lion who thinks she can withstand twenty degrees below zero decides to chase the squirrel halfway across the acreage. And only then remembers that she must travel the same distance to get back again. So I rushed out to pick her up before her feet froze, did the zipper up wrong, and it split open from the bottom.

She warmed up on Mr. M.'s lap. 
Smile for everyone, Penny.

I could not get the darn thing to close again. Maybe I should just put a 
new one in, but I don't want to until I absolutely have to. I used to repair 
the zippers on my kids' jackets all the time with this method.  

You will need a pair of wire cutters, a needle, and thread.

See the little stoppers at the top of the zipper?

You need to snip those off with the wire cutters. 

Then pull the zipper slider all the way to the top and remove it. 

I had to give this one a good yank.

But I got it.

Put the slider back onto the side of the zipper with the slot in it. 

Do the zipper up and pull it up about halfway to make sure it works properly.

Whipstitch several times until you have created a stopper of your own with the thread. 

Do this on both sides of the zipper. I have used bright orange so that it is easy to see. 

If you use matching thread, it isn't noticeable at all. 

(photo tip at bottom of post)

Now I have my favorite acreage coat back, 

for the next time I have to rescue our crazy little girl.

I'm sure you noticed that the second-last photo in this post has the best color. 
Since it was already dark I thought I would try my Verilux daylight lamp.
 I did not use the flash, either...quite a difference!

Have a good day!

Val