Help w a zipper repair

[cristeen]

Ok, not technically a sewing question, since if it were sewable, id just do it.

The zip on DH's winter jacket is tearing away at the bottom where the 2 sides of the zipper are put together in a 2-part zip. It makes zipping very difficult and its getting progressively worse each time he uses it The problem is that at that point its not fabric, its like plastic coated, and rather than tearing, its broken clean away. I just cant figure out how to repair it without impacting the function of the zipper. Im thinking patch of some sort, fabric+glue, but im not sure what fabric will be strong enough to take the abuse and thin enough to not impede.

Anyone have any thoughts? The easy answer is new jacket, since hes had this one at least 10 yrs, but the man can be very difficult about his clothes.

[cyclamen]

I would use a nylon fabric, like the ripstop stuff they sell with the utility fabrics.  That is paper thin and super strong.

However, I doubt fabric glue will do much to help - AFAIK that's not made to stand up to daily movement and tugging.  It's meant for hems.  Plus, it's meant for fabric, which is way more porous than plastic.  I actually would sew a nylon patch using a sewing machine.  Unless you mean that the bottom of the jacket is a solid piece of hard plastic (??? cant imagine??) and not a soft plastic, plasticky synthetic fabric, or a smooth thick but soft plastic coated material - basically anything a needle might be able to penetrate.  In that case, I would say, "Sorry Chuck, nothing can be done."   The other issue is that plastic does degrade, and if it's torn that badly, it might mean that the material is just too brittle to take a patch.

Could you post a picture? Or a link to a similar type of jacket?

[cristeen]

At the point where the "tear" begins, it is actually hard plastic laminated around the fabric of the zipper. Another 1/4 inch north, theres no plastic, but its the plastic area that needs fixing. And no needle is going to accomplish that.

I can try to get pics tomorrow.