A zipper is a fastener that is found on many types of clothing and is also used on shoes, bedding and bags. Sooner or later, everyone faces problems with their locks. Whether the lock has been used for a long time, an initially low-quality product, or problems that can be solved - we will figure out the cause of the breakdown and how to solve it.
Before you begin repairs, you should find out what the key problem is. Perhaps it can be solved at home without the cost of professional repair. Among the most common causes of lightning failure:
- a weak slider that cannot connect the lock teeth together, causing the zipper to come apart;
- the slider is too tight, causing the zipper to jam and not fasten or fasten too tightly;
- divergence of the zipper after fastening. Just as in the first case, the problem lies in the weakness of the slider.
How to fix a zipper depending on the cause of the breakdown
All of the listed problems with the lock can be solved at home and do not require a complete replacement of the lock. Repairs may require pliers, lock lubricant, a slider, and paraffin.
Attention!
In addition to the fact that the slider can be purchased in specialized stores, it can also be removed from unnecessary old locks or clothing. Focus on the required size.
What to do if the lightning gets stuck
If the zipper jams, stops moving, or breaks the lock teeth, then the reason may be high friction. The issue can be easily resolved - the lock needs to be lubricated. In specialized stores you can purchase lubricant designed specifically for runners. If this is not possible, then you can use any means at hand, for example, a piece of unsalted lard or paraffin. Paraffin does not leave the same residue as lard, so it is preferable.
- Rub the zipper while closed with a piece of paraffin, being careful not to damage the teeth.
- Fasten and unfasten the lock several times.
- Remove excess paraffin with a napkin.
After these actions, the lightning will not jam and will last for a long time.
What to do if the zipper on your jacket comes apart
The problem with a weak slider is the easiest to solve and does not require replacing the zipper. Straighten the zipper and try to fasten it. Ideally, the slider should move smoothly, without effort. If the zipper comes apart, try lightly pressing the slider with pliers; if this does not help, then increase the pressure.
Important!
If you press the slider too hard, then all you have to do is throw the zipper away. Therefore, move carefully, step by step, increasing the pressure.
What to do if the base of the zipper is broken
If the lower part of the lock is broken to such an extent that it seems shaggy, then it is better to replace it - such a lock will definitely not last long. However, you can extend the life of the base of the lock, which is especially important if you currently do not have the time or opportunity to change the lock. For this we need a simple nail polish; it is better to choose a colorless one or one that matches the color of the lock. Unfasten the lock and carefully reattach the torn parts, then apply nail polish to them. Please note that it is impossible to get by with just one layer; the varnish must saturate the lock well and, when dry, tightly glue the broken parts together. Dry the lock thoroughly before use.
Note!
If the option with nail polish is not very attractive to you, then you can use superglue in a similar way.
How to replace a zipper slider on a jacket
If all else fails, then the only option is to replace the slider. You can either buy a dog or remove it from any old thing, the main thing is that it has same size with the previous runner. Procedure:
- Remove the broken slider. Be careful - the teeth break easily - first lift one part of the pawl, then release the second.
- Open the edges of the new pawl in the same way, but do not overdo it so as not to break it. You can use a thick needle or scissors.
- Place the pawl on the lock and gently press it with pliers.
Carefully!
Pressing too hard can break the pawl, while too little will cause the lock to constantly come apart. Proceed with caution.
After installing the new slider, open and close the lock several times, making sure that the pawl moves smoothly and that the lock does not come apart.
How to replace a zipper on a jacket
Replacing a lock on a jacket is quite difficult for the average person, especially if you have not done this before. It is best to take a lock or jacket and come with it to a sewing store so that they can select a lock for you in color and size. At the same time, the old zipper is torn off, and the new one is sewn in its place using a machine. The top edge is cut in proportion to the length. However, if you are not confident in your own abilities, then it is best to turn to a professional seamstress.
Repairing a lock or slider is quite simple - there are enough available tools for this, and you can do it at home. However, not all methods are long-term; in some cases, the castle cannot be saved. Therefore, you should not delay replacing the zipper, so that later it does not let you down at the most inopportune moment.
Zippers are a convenient invention that allows you to tightly close your bag in a second and fasten your raincoat against the chilly wind and cold.
But, like any invention, they have their drawbacks. The main drawback of all locks: they quickly become unusable.
If the lock on your favorite jacket suddenly comes apart, or the slider comes off, this does not mean at all that you will have to take the item to the studio and wait a long time for the old lock to be removed and a new one to be sewn in.
Exist simple ways fix the lock with your own hands at home. And for each type of breakdown they are different.
Ways to fix a zipper at the base
The reason for the zipper breaking at the very base is the separation of fabric lint. The material that holds the lock is fraying.
To restore its integrity and continue to use the lock, it is enough to use a cunning technique.
Repairing the zipper at the base:
- Gather the fabric at the base.
- Soak with nail polish.
- Let it dry in the correct position.
- Re-treat with nail polish.
Important! If the lock is in a visible place, the varnish should be matched to the color of the lock's fabric.
A red smeared spot on a black handbag will look extremely awkward and catchy, even considering that the base of the zipper is not in plain sight.
Glue is often used instead of nail polish. This is a great alternative because the adhesive is more durable and the material becomes harder, making the fastener easier to use.
Shoe glue, or “Moment,” is suitable for these purposes. Glue is not suitable for joining paper.
How to repair a slider?
A common problem with any fastener: breakage of the slider. The reasons for this type of failure vary.
Possible reasons for the slider failure:
- Poor quality alloy.
- Use of low quality material in production.
- Inappropriate material for the slider compared to the zipper teeth.
- Careless handling when fastening and unfastening the product.
Whatever the cause of the breakdown, you should try to solve the problem yourself. Often, the cause is the divergence of the edges of the slider.
They stretch, the process of movement worsens, the slider flies off when fastened.
How to fix a slider - step by step instructions:
Important! You cannot squeeze the slider in the middle, this will lead to its final breakage. Only clamp at the edges.
Do not overdo it so as not to damage the part. If you close the edges all the way, you will not be able to use the lock.
What to do if there are not enough teeth?
The lack of teeth is one of the reasons for the inconvenience when fastening. Over time, they fall out, leaving behind gaps that impede the passage of the slider.
We close the gaps on the plastic zipper:
- We buy thick fishing line.
- We drag it to the place where the tooth fell out.
- We wind it several times so that the size matches the rest of the teeth.
- We secure it with a lighter, after making a small knot.
This method will help make fastening easier, postponing a visit to the studio.
A metal zipper can only be repaired using similar teeth. They can be found on an old zipper that is no longer used.
It is important that the size of the teeth correspond to those available, otherwise the procedure will not be beneficial.
Insert the teeth into the metal zipper:
- Separate required amount teeth of a suitable size from an old zipper.
- We put them in place of the spaces and clamp them with pliers.
- Check the strength and re-tighten if necessary.
Important! It happens that the teeth do not fall out completely, but begin to interfere with the normal passage of the slider.
The lock is opened and placed on a hard surface, after which it is lightly tapped with a hammer on the teeth.
This should bring them back to their original position. This method only works on metal zippers!
Rules for caring for a castle?
By following the rules of zipper care, you will keep it in its original form for a long time.
Such as:
- Do not let small children play with lightning.
- Do not make sudden movements; close and open slowly and carefully.
- If the zipper is metal and is located on shoes, it should be lubricated to normalize its functioning. Suitable only for leather shoes and bags on which the lubricant will not leave marks.
- Do not expose the metal fastener to water as it will begin to rust.
- Clean dirt from the zipper in a timely manner.
- If it is jammed and does not want to unfasten, do not tear the lock. See if the slider is stuck inner fabric whether the tooth has broken off.
Take a little time so that you do not have to repair the product in a workshop by carrying out complete replacement fasteners
- If you choose shoes and they have difficulty fitting at the top, be prepared for the clasp to come loose soon. Tight clothes and shoes - possible reason breakdowns.
- If the zipper is stuck, start moving it reverse side. The action is necessary to pull out the interfering fabric of the bottom lining.
Don't be upset if our advice didn't help you. Now you have practical knowledge about how to fix a lock.
If you fail, don’t blame yourself; there are cases when it’s simply impossible to save an old clasp. Then you should carefully remove the lock and sew in a new one. The action is carried out using a blade and a sewing machine.
Important! If you haven't replaced the lock yourself before, you shouldn't learn from your expensive and favorite things. It is better to take the item to a studio where professionals will quickly handle the task.
Useful video
If the zipper on your jacket comes apart, it is better to take precautions in advance to prevent an annoying breakdown. But even if the zipper is already broken, it can still be fixed. All you need to do is arm yourself with a few useful life hacks to fix the zipper yourself.
How to fix a zipper on a jacket
A zipper on clothes, also known as a zipper or snake, is found on almost any product. From time to time, the zipper may come apart or become frayed at the very bottom, causing it to become unusable. It is not always possible to take an item for repair, so it is important to know how to fix a zipper at home.
If the zipper diverges or you need to start with a slider that has stopped holding the edges together: to do this, you need to clamp it so that it closes.
You can press the zipper slider in the following ways:
- using pliers or a hammer. This method is carried out using strong compression. To do this, you need to put a jacket or other item with a broken zipper on a flat surface with the pawl facing down, try to zip it up at least halfway and press it firmly with pliers or with a hammer;
- gentle movements so as not to damage the slider;
- for an old zipper, it is better to use new parts that can be purchased at a sewing store;
- an unruly runner can be secured with fishing line or strong threads, fixing the ends so as not to interfere with the closing movement.
How to fix a zipper if it comes apart
- If the zipper comes apart due to broken or missing teeth, then you need to do the following: try rearranging the teeth yourself from another zipper or buy new ones. The work is quite intricate, but with the help nail scissors and tweezers, you can update the teeth yourself.
- If the teeth on the zipper are deformed but remain in place, try returning them to their original position using a hammer: place the jacket on a flat surface with the zipper facing up and gently tap the area that requires restoration.
- If the zipper slider moves up and down with difficulty, then try the following repair methods: lubricate the slider and the zipper itself with oil - this method is suitable for hard products made of leather or plastic, since residue may remain on the fabric. greasy spots; Instead of oil, you can use wax or candle paraffin, which have the same sliding properties.
- The lead of a soft pencil will help you fix the zipper by running the lead over the zipper.
- If the pin comes off, a plastic cocktail straw will come to the rescue. This is one of the fastest and most accessible methods that will help return the slider to its place and connect the separated ends. Wrinkle the edge of the tube so that it becomes flat and thread it through the hole to which the pin clasp was attached, in this way you can lift the slider and close the edges of the zipper.
- And in order to secure the plastic base of the zipper, you can use liquid glue. Apply using a cotton swab a small amount of glue onto the base of the zipper and press the fastener. High-quality household glue should “grab” the loose base of the zipper, thereby improving the serviceability of the fastener.
- If the zipper has come off at the bottom of the fabric of the product, stitch it with threads along the edges or pin it with safety pins to fix its position.
How to fix a zipper: basic care rules
- To prevent zipper failure or extend the shelf life of already repaired parts, it is important to follow simple clothing care measures.
- Protect the zipper from sand, dust and other foreign particles. They clog the slider and deform the teeth, so you need to keep the zipper clean. Clean the parts with an old toothbrush, lightly lubricated. vegetable oil or paraffin to ensure the slider glides smoothly.
- Nylon or plastic zipper It is not recommended to iron or dry on too hot radiators: heat harms products made from these materials. Iron items from the wrong side or use thin fabric.
- When machine washing, use the delicate cycle or turn the item inside out before putting it in the drum.
Do not fasten the item with force, make sure that the zipper does not pinch the fabric or foreign objects.
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Probably, each of us has more than one item in our wardrobe with a zipper. Of course, it’s much more convenient and faster than buttons or snaps, and besides, zippers are often used as decorative elements, because they look very stylish. In expensive things, zippers are usually metallic colors of gold or silver, but most often we find clothes, shoes and accessories inlaid with plastic zippers of a wide variety color solutions and shapes: red and green, short, long, with massive teeth and small ones, all the variations cannot be listed in one article.
Very often, and especially when we are in a hurry, the zipper slips, diverges or begins to jam. Yes, this is not a button that you can easily sew back and leave the house, forgetting about the minor trouble. But even in this case, you shouldn’t be upset: if you don’t have the time or opportunity to turn to the services of an atelier, we’ll tell you how to fix a zipper at home yourself.
We use pliers
Following this advice, place the damaged zipper on a flat surface and straighten its sides. Place one end of the fastener into the slider as firmly as possible and tighten them using pliers. This must be done in such a way that the inside of the tool touches outside runner. After that, check it out: try moving the slider up and down, this will help you determine whether the sides of the zipper are connected. If everything zips up, congratulations: the zipper is repaired, and you can show off your favorite item.
If the lock does come apart, do not despair, feel free to pick up pliers, place the slider in them so that its outer and inner halves found yourself inside the tool and pull the pliers along with the slider a few centimeters. After this, the side of the zipper that slipped will snap back into place.
Scissors to the rescue
If the previous tip didn't help you, you have a few more zipper repair options in your arsenal. So in this case we use scissors. Let's say your zipper has come apart and the slider is hanging on one of its halves. Then we take the second half of the lock in our hands, find the lowest position of the slider, and use sharp scissors to make a small horizontal cut between the teeth. Then we put the slider on the half of the zipper that has the notch in the place of the notch itself, and stretch it to the end.
If the part of the zipper under the slider diverges while it is in the top position, pull the slider down (to the place of the cut), and coat the area with the cut with glue.
Please note that once sealed, you will not be able to unzip below this point.
Using a screwdriver
This advice is effective if we are dealing with a metal runner. If your zipper has come apart and the slider is hanging on one of its halves, take a flat-tip screwdriver and insert it into the upper groove of the slider - the one that grooves the lock. You perform this action in order to slightly expand the slider flaps. After the required bosom has opened a little, insert the free half of the zipper into it, and secure the result with pliers.
Do not press the slider too hard with pliers, even if it is made of metal, it may still break.
After all the manipulations, check the slider in action, it should work like new.
Inserting a slider
Following this advice, you can easily insert a broken zipper slider into the zipper.
To do this, take the zipper in your hands and separate the upper thickenings from it, which do not allow the slider to slide off. After this, bring the ends of the zipper together and slowly insert them into the slider. Holding the separated thickenings, try opening/closing the zipper.
To prevent the slider from falling off again, secure the free ends of the zipper with a pin or sew tightly with thread.
Most people are accustomed to such an irreplaceable thing as zippers, which help fasten jackets, coats, boots, boots, and trousers without any problems. Almost any item in the wardrobe can be fastened with zippers rather than buttons. There are the most various colors and shades of lightning, only their sizes and shapes differ.
How to fix a zipper on a jacket if it comes apart at the bottom
They can be metal or plastic.
However, there are times when zippers break, and most often this happens in children, when they put on their jacket many times a day, then take it off, then zip it up, then unzip it. As a result, the lower part of the zipper, which is inserted into the lock, becomes torn.
How to fix the zipper on the bottom of a jacket?
There are a few effective ways, which will help you fix the zipper on your jacket.
- Take regular nail polish and carefully coat the frayed part until the polish soaks through the material and the zipper fastening becomes rigid. This method allows you to fix the zipper quickly, but not for long.
- Do exactly the same procedure with the frayed part of the zipper, only use quick-hardening glue instead of varnish. Here you need to be very careful, since the glue hardens very quickly, so it must be applied to the damaged part of the zipper in small portions. This method will keep the zipper in working order longer than nail polish.
How to fix a zipper lock on a jacket?
If the zipper on a jacket comes apart, it is very easy to fix it. You should use pliers: lightly squeeze the zipper slider from above and below and the lock will stop coming apart. This operation with the zipper slider can only be performed once. Next time, to fix the zipper on your jacket, if it comes apart, you will have to replace the zipper slider with a new one.
How to replace a zipper on a leather jacket
Zipper repair is the most common type of repair outerwear in the studio. However, replacing a zipper on a leather jacket in a workshop is quite expensive and many people try to replace the zipper themselves. To replace a zipper with your own hands, especially in leather products, you need experience and knowledge of some of the features of this technology.
When buying a new zipper in a store, it is advisable that the new zipper be good quality. There is no point in saving on this, since high-quality zippers will last longer.
Often, repairing a zipper comes down to replacing the slider in the lock or, as they say, “dogs.”
To properly replace a zipper in a jacket, jeans, or skirt, you definitely need experience and a zipper foot. To sew on a hidden zipper, you will need a special foot, which usually does not come with your sewing machine.
It is difficult to replace an old zipper on a skirt or trousers with your own hands. However, this is quite possible for many people. And here replace zipper It is very difficult to sew a leather jacket, because in addition to experience, you must have a suitable sewing machine.
1. Sometimes, instead of replacing the zipper, it is enough to replace the slider
As soon as the zipper stops fastening or fastens, but “diverges” from any sudden movement, we immediately contact the studio and ask to replace the zipper. But is it always necessary to change it? Let's figure out when you need to change the zipper, and when you can only replace the pawl.
If the slider passes through the zipper without fastening it, then this is the first sign that it is not pressing the teeth (links) of the zipper and needs to be replaced. In an emergency, the slider can be slightly “tightened” with pliers, but this is a temporary measure. As a rule, in this case there is no need to change the zipper; it is enough to replace only the pawl. The same applies if part of the slider breaks off.
Mandatory replacement of the zipper is required only when the edge of the zipper is “frayed” and it is difficult to insert into the slider or some teeth on the tape are missing.
First of all, you need to select exactly the same number (size) of the runner in the store. It’s even better to put it there on the zipper to check how it will fasten it. The fact is that the slider number will be the same, but for a different type of lock (twisted, tractor, metal). In this case, the slider will move along the zipper, but will not fasten its links.
To remove the slider from the tape, you must first remove the top fastener, and after replacing the slider, put it back. U plastic lock(tractor) the bartack is completely removed without the ability to put it back. Therefore, instead of it, a metal fastener is installed, which can first be removed from an old jacket or unnecessary lock.
2. How to replace a zipper on a leather jacket
The zipper in a leather jacket, as a rule, is installed quite strong, with a powerful slider (No. 8) and with metal links, and lasts for many years. But still, there comes a time when it begins to diverge and the zipper needs to be replaced.
Buying a zipper for a jacket is not a problem. In hardware stores you can choose any color of zipper tape, the required length, and size. But how to insert a zipper into a jacket, without resorting to the services of a workshop, on your old household sewing machine?
Replacing a zipper on leather clothing is the most difficult and expensive type of clothing repair. And it doesn’t matter whether the jacket’s zipper is long or short, whether it’s sewn on an oblique or straight line, repairing leather clothing is always expensive. This is mainly due to the features of this material, which can only be pierced with a needle once. And also because leather can only be sewn on a special machine, using a special tool and a special leather sewing technology.
3. Not every machine can sew leather.
To insert a zipper into a leather jacket, it is imperative to have an industrial sewing machine capable of sewing leather. Otherwise, you can break not only the needle, but also the machine itself. Be sure to read the instructions and if it doesn’t indicate that you can sew leather on it, then don’t even try.
But don’t despair, remember about your grandmother. She probably has an old one sewing machine Podolsk or Singer with foot or manual drive. These machines will definitely not break and will pierce the skin. At least you won't mind these cars. Of course, the installation of the zipper will not be done efficiently, one might say in a makeshift manner, but if you try hard, then the new zipper in the jacket will look quite decent.
If you have a machine, and you put a thick needle there (110-120), and also bought a zipper and thread, then you can start replacing the zipper.
First, of course, you need to remove the old zipper. Open the seams securing the zipper and “tear off” the old zipper tape. At the factory the tape is covered special glue, so as not to sweep it away, but to stick it to the skin. Actually, you will also need to glue a new lock, so buy leather glue or narrow double-sided adhesive tape along with the zipper.
Once all thread remnants have been removed, you can begin preparing to install a new zipper. This is done in reverse order.
First, the zipper is attached to the edges of the jacket using glue or adhesive tape and aligned. That is, you must fasten the zipper in the “glued state” and check whether the lower edges of the jacket, the line of pockets and the neckline are level. Once you're sure everything matches up, take your time and carefully sew the joining stitch on your sewing machine.
It is desirable that the needle gets into the remaining traces of previous needle punctures. In any case, at least no traces of the previous seam should be visible on the front side of the jacket. Be sure to practice on something if you are doing it for the first time.
4. Replacing a zipper on a leather jacket will require glue.
Apply glue with a small brush internal sides the edges of the side of the jacket where the old zipper stood. And carefully, aligning the edges of the teeth strictly along the edge of the side of the jacket, place the locking tape on the glue and press it to the side of the jacket. Instead of glue, you can use a very convenient special adhesive tape. You need to wait a little while the glue is absorbed into the tape and repeat on the other side of the jacket.
In addition to glue, buy an adhesive pad at the store. You can use adhesive fabric to cover the edges of the hem on the wrong side.
5. Pierce the skin only once
The zipper on a leather jacket is usually connected with one seam. Therefore, constantly check that the needle is gripping the bottom edge of the jacket. If you don’t have enough experience, you can sweep away the board along with the zipper with threads. Just do not pierce the skin with a needle in new places, but try to thread the needle along old marks. Besides, you won’t be able to pierce four layers of skin with a needle.
To make sewing leather easier, if you don’t have a special foot, you can lubricate upper layer the skin under the paw, but not with oil, but with soap. Yes, with regular soap, slightly moistened with water. This “old-fashioned” method will allow the machine to “pass” thicker areas more easily. In addition, a lubricated thread will make fewer gaps in the stitch and pass through the shuttle more easily.
If you have the opportunity, buy a special needle for sewing leather. It has a specially shaped point that allows it to pass through the leather more easily and will also reduce the number of skipped stitches in the stitching.
We remind you once again, be sure to practice on an old item before you start changing the zipper on an expensive leather jacket.
7. Paws for sewing on a zipper
The zipper fastener is used in almost any modern clothes There are also many types of fasteners. For women's clothing, such as skirts, dresses, hidden zippers are most often used. Twisted zippers on braid and "tractor" are usually used to replace zippers in jackets.
To insert any zipper on a sewing machine, you need a special zipper foot. Almost every sewing machine has such a foot, and it allows you to sew a zipper evenly and neatly, close to the teeth.
Not every machine has a foot for sewing in hidden zippers, but it can be purchased separately at a sewing accessories store. They can be plastic or metal, as in this photo. If you do not have enough experience, then before sewing a zipper fastener on a machine, baste it to the edge of the product. This is especially important if the fabric is elastic and stretchable.
How to sew a zipper fastener? It is very difficult to teach how to sew a zipper in absentia. It still requires experience and a visual explanation of the “nuances” of some operations. However, even these simple tips won't hurt anyone.
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It’s not difficult to make a pattern for an eight-piece cap, but it’s not easy to sew a women’s or men’s gavroche cap with your own hands beautifully and neatly.
How to shorten a hidden zipper
Hidden zipper has standard sizes and often there is a need to shorten it. How to shorten a hidden zipper at the bottom.
Installation of buttons and blocks on clothes
Any leather jacket always has fittings that, when replacing a zipper, have to be removed and a new one installed. Tips on how to correctly place buttons and other accessories on Leather Products at home you will find in this article.
Recommendations for working with leather
Replacing a zipper in a leather jacket requires a special machine, certain experience and knowledge. You can replace a zipper on a leather jacket yourself if you have an old Podolsk-type sewing machine and you carefully read our recommendations. main feature When working with leather is the use of glue.
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Sewing stitches in difficult areas
Sewing leather and other rough and thick fabrics can be made easier if you know some tailoring tricks. For example, you can tap a rough thickening of skin with a hammer and sewing machine will sew this area easier. There are other tips, read them.
Sewing tools
There are many different devices and additional tools, facilitating many types of work. Some of them you need, others you don't need to have. But you must have claws that allow you to insert a zipper. If your machine does not have a foot for installing a hidden zipper at the factory, buy it at a sewing accessories store. It is also a very useful foot for sewing leather. Instead of a sole, it has a roller, which allows you to press the material tightly and at the same time slide easily. Having such a foot, you can easily replace the zipper in a leather jacket.
Sewing threads, which ones are better?
To replace a zipper, especially a hidden zipper, you need a special foot.
The zipper at the bottom of the jacket became frayed. How to fix it or who will fix it?
Everyone knows this, but few people pay attention to what threads are used. The threads must be strong, elastic and not twisted. In addition to threads, when replacing a zipper on a leather jacket, you need to use a special leather needle. This needle has a blade instead of a point that cuts the skin, making it easier for the needle and thread to pass through.
How to sew a button correctly and quickly
When replacing a zipper on a leather jacket, you sometimes have to cut off the buttons and then sew them on again. To make a button fasten easily, you must make a “leg” for it. And in order to avoid tearing out a button with “meat” when getting off a crowded bus, you need to put a small button on the wrong side of the jacket under the large button.
