As many of you know I’m really into upcycling and recycling items, and clothing is one of them. In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to deconstruct an item of clothing for some really cool zipper upcycling.
Benefits of Zipper Upcycling
- You can save a little money
- Avoid a trip to the fabric store
- Recycle material (which is always a good thing for the planet)
- You can have a better selection of zipper colors
- Add a professional and unique look to your sewing projects by using zippers with zipper pulls that have a little character and charm. It’s hard to find zippers at the store with cool zipper pulls.
What Kind of Zippers To Look For
- As mentioned before, look for zippers that have unique ZIPPER PULLS. (There are some cute vintage, leather, metal, beaded, and fabric pulls out there on existing clothing). Keep your eye out!
- Unique colors of zippers
- Good, sturdy zippers for projects that require a DURABLE ZIPPPER
- All sizes of zippers (short, long and extra-long)
- Zippers that are in good condition and are free of stains
- Separating zippers and non-separating zippers
Items To Use For Zipper Upcycling
If you are getting rid of an item that you no longer want or need and it has a COOL ZIPPER in it, save it! I have been known to buy items at the thrift store just for the zipper. YEP! There are all kinds of items that you can find a zipper in.
- Clothing
- Bags & purses are a good place to find heavy-duty, DURABLE ZIPPERS.
- Couch and chair slipcovers have LONG ZIPPERS.
- Jacket & Coats
- Sweaters can even have fun zippers in them
How To Deconstruct Clothing For Zipper Upcycling
All you’ll need is a pair of FABRIC SCISSORS, a SEAM RIPPER, and YOUR ITEM OF CLOTHING.
Cut the zipper out of the clothing. This makes the process so much easier! There is less bulk to work with and if you don’t feel like unpicking right then, you can save it in your zipper bin and unpick it later.
Take the end of the zipper and pull the fabric away from the zipper to expose the stitches. Slide the tip of the seam ripper into one or more of the stitches and cut the threads. Pull the zipper tape away from the fabric to expose more stitches. (The first stitches are the hardest to navigate).
Continue ripping threads and pulling all the way down the zipper. (Sometimes you can rip both sides of the zipper seam at the same time). Remove any cut threads that are lingering on the zipper and place the zipper in a bin or use the zipper straight away on a fun sewing project or craft.
Zipper upcycling is the BEST! Stay tuned. I’ll be sharing some fun ways to use your upcycled zippers both on sewing and craft projects!
OTHER UPCYCLING POST YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
T-Shirt Yarn | Made From Upcycled T-Shirts
How To Make Beaded Coasters From Upcycled Sweaters
Happy Upcycling!
Jan Howell
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Jan Howell
Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.
4 Comments
My grandma ALWAYS took the zippers (as well as buttons, hook & eyes etc) out of worn out or outgrown clothing.
My Grandmother did the same. I guess that’s where I get it from.
Can’t wait to see what you make with them!
I will be posting a fun project using upcycled zippers this weekend on YouTube. Do you follow my blog and YouTube channel?
https://www.youtube.com/c/JanHowell