Zip repair kits - do they work?

[misscph1973]

I have a sleeping bag and a back pack with broken zips - the zip bit has come off one side of the zip so you can't zip up. Both are too expensive to just throw out. Are these zip prepair kits on ebay/Amazon any good?

I didn't even know they existed! Will google (and watch thread) for future reference.

I had a hoodie belonging to middle dc repaired at the dry cleaners when the zip broke (the bottom bit came off - the bit you slot into the zip bit, iyswim). They could only do a full zip replacement (cost: £20 ), but ultimately worth it, as middle dc has had the hoodie for about 4 years now (was big when we got it, and she is a slow grower so is a firm favourite, and it will be passed onto youngest dc in due course, for a good few more years. And to replace the hoodie would have cost £40+, so although not a cheap repair, it was cost effective.

PandasRock, I haven't yet called any alterations/sewing shop or dry cleaners to get a quote - I am too stingy ;) I will probably buy the kit and hopefully it will work, but thought I'd just post om MN to hear if anyone had actually used a zip repair kit.

I was horrified by he cost, tbh. But would also have been horrified to throw out an otherwise perfectly serviceable garment (and have to pay out for a replacement anyway)

Let me know how the kit goes -I. Uh prefer to repair rather than replace if at all practical

Well, a closer look revealed that the zip in the back pack has a good chunk of it bitten off, probably one of the pet rabbits, so I ordered a new zip, and I am going to replace it myself. The sleeping bag zip looks harder to replace, but you can actually get zips in that length, so if replacing the bag zip goes well, I will have a go at the sleeping bag.

The kits do work but you need to get the right part to match up with the terth, every brand of zip has different shape/size teeth.

My advice is to actually tack the zip into place rather than pin it as then it sits flatter and doesn't move as much.

I work at a haberdashery and one of our customers who is a seamstress charges £60 for a sleeping bag zip replacement (which is cheaper thsn the local Johnsons dry cleaners fee)

Thak you, Memphisbelly. I have come to the conclusion that finding the right part is too difficult, it's much easier to replace the zip if possible!

I am not surprised at the price for replacing a zip on a sleeping is £60. I will probably still have a go at it myself, it may not look as nice as the work of a professional seamstress, but it will - hopefully - work.