Mystery curtains

Actually, my biggest tailoring problem right now involves language barriers. The zipper on my excellent LL Bean parka needs to be replaced. The fabric at the top of the zipper (and which is part of the zipper, not the coat) is so worn that the upper stop of the zipper has nothing to clip to. So, if I mindlessly zip it all the way up, the slider comes off. I've been to 3 tailors so far and asked if they can install a totally new YKK zipper - the ENTIRE zipper, not just the slider. Well, these tailors were from who-knows-where in Eastern Europe, and they seem to know just two words: cuffs and sleeves. They all go into the back room and come out with a new slider. I open the pocket and point out that I have a perfectly good slider, and try to explain that I want the old zipper removed and replaced. No luck. I'll probably go and buy the entire zipper this week and see if that, and some sign language will get the message across. If not, the coat goes off to LL Bean.

I have replaced zippers in a few winter coats (Parka's, its darn cold here lol) and it's very easy. I am not sure what a YKK zipper is, I am guessing brand name? If you aren't having luck with tailors, call a dry cleaner and arrange it through them, or ask if they can refer you to someone who can replace zippers. IMHO you are going to the wrong people if they can't replace a zipper or understand what you are asking.

Happy New Year Michelle Giordano

Michelle, YKK is a brand name. I'm not sure how they became popular with companies like LL Bean, but I suspect it's because the teeth are quite large and seem to be made of very hard plastic, or plastic covered metal, which keeps them from being a pain in the neck when they get full of snow. They're really nice zippers. However, I recently bought a nicely made raincoat from Gander Mountain Sports which has a YKK zipper, and it's awful. I suspect the problem is the installation, not the zipper itself. Because the teeth are fat and further apart than what you'd find on a pair of jeans, these zippers seem sort of floppy - they appear to need more backbone in the garment to which they're attached. They get that support from a winter coat, but not from this particular jacket, which is thin where the zipper's sewn on.

Or, my theory could be totally wrong. Who knows?

YKK is a brand of zipper. I sew a lot of snowboarding gear for my son and other "manly man" out door stuff for the boys and in MHO it's the best. It seems to keep sliding smoothly under all kinds of conditions and doesn't self destruct as many do.

Doug, you need to let your fingers do a little Yellow Page walking and look under "Dry Cleaners" and see who advertises alterations and/or repairs. If they are close by and don't advertise that service, call anyway and ask, most of these places do.

Val

Since LL Bean has such a good returns and repairs policy, I don't know why you wouldn't just do this, Doug. They have a great track record for turnaround. My husband has sent his Bean boots back to be resoled a couple of times over the course of the last 30 years, and they have fantastic service.

Sadly, most of the clothing and other items in their catalogs now are imported. Almost the only things still made in the US are their Bean boots, the moosehide slippers, the rag rugs, and just a few other things.

Karen Maslowski > I'll probably go and buy the entire zipper this week and see if that, and

I second Karen on this. Send the jacket to LLBean. It's probable that they will either fix it or send you a new jacket - or a credit to buy a new one if that one is no longer available. I bought my husband a very expensive Gore-Tex outfit from them, and the Gore-Tex wore out - the suit was still fine, but it didn't repel water anymore. Since they no longer had that same outfit (after 5+ years), they sent me a credit toward a new one. No ifs, ands or buts. Great to deal with.

This is a wear-and-tear issue. The coat's 4 years old, and otherwise in perfect shape. They estimate 3 week turnaround time because their repair department is swamped. I'm trying to get around that by doing this locally.

No. It's not a defect. It's just a worn out zipper. If I worded my letter correctly, they'd probably replace the coat for free, but that would be unethical and I could not accept that. They want $25 to change the zipper, including shipping, which I consider reasonable. I'm just trying to get it done faster than their turnaround time, since it's my best winter coat.

I have a picture of one I made for my Mom - think it's what you are trying to decribe. Not sure, I do have a pic if you want to see???? Ask me and I will email it to you........

Thanks, but once I got the terminology down, I walked into a fabric store, told the teenage zero to get the manager, and asked who (if anyone) could assist with shirred curtains. Unfortunately, the manager didn't seem interested in having the teen overhear the conversation for learning purposes. Hmmm. Who's the dummy? :-)