Jacket/trouser joining zips

[kramdra]

Where can I get a suitable zip to join jackets to trousers? I want to make all my gear use the same.

[AdamEf]

Look on eBay for YKK heavy duty zips with plastic teeth. You want the chunky teeth.

If you're trying to match ones you already have on jackets etc you'll need to research what they are. They often have a name on the zip puller.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

It's annoying that there's no standard, isn't it. I looked into this a while ago but didn't follow it up.

Sizing

Now, how's your sewing?

[AdamEf]

Also, if you have two different zips but have both sides of each zip, you can sew the two loose sides together to make a connecting strip, if you don't want to do any structural work to the jacket / trousers.

[kramdra]

The link helped.

YKK Vislon #8 seems to be the common size for A*, Spada, Lindstrands etc. all different bloody lengths which wont work if they start in the wrong place. The Spada nero trouser zip is full length so that is going to be my standard and Ill replace the jacket halfs.

[MCN]

You need special needles for leather and some canvas.

Leather also sews well when a lube is applied too.

You can do by hand but if not accustomed to sewing and sewing hide you will develop a set of muscles you never much used before.

You will need your sartorius a lot too.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[kramdra]

Nothing on ebay, went to local shop, whole isle of YKK zips. Got two, 32" long #8 Vislon. Almost perfect, but its the wrong handed, Itll work if I replace both, but I was hoping to save some effort, Ill ask if they can get the other type.

[BTTD]

I've used a speedy stitcher sewing awl to attach a zip to jeans before. Worked well and allowed me to use much thicker thread and get a very neat looking thread pattern. It's also proved useful for repairing canvas and other thick materials.

[MCN]

[Bru]

Hi. If your existing gear already has zips fitted, then 'just' make an adapter to suit. This way, you avoid having to sew through leather.

For example, I recently joined Alpinestar trousers (full-length no.5 coil zip) to a Belstaff jacket (9"-ish no.8 plastic zip). I bought the closest-length open-ended zip (pair) for each size (no.5, no.8), pinned the two (matching each zip side) together by overlapping the fabric sides of the respective zips (with the shorter jacket section in the middle of the trouser section) and finished by sewing the two together. For a shorter (jacket) zip, I found the best way to estimate the mid-point location was to fully zip the zipper to the trousers, and then pin the jacket zipper to that; trying to estimate the mid-point without doing it that way can leave the jacket pulled slightly off-centre.

The adapter then looks something like: nnnnnnnHHHHHnnnnnnn

You may end up with a couple of these, if you have a few articles of clothing you wish to match. It's not ideal, but better than nothing.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Bru]

Actually, AdamEF wrote it better, but I did not notice, sorry!

This illustrates what I meant:

[kramdra]

I am going to sew the new zip along size the existing jacket zips which are both on an elasticated fabric. Removed the stopper so I could turn the puller other way round.

[kramdra]