Sunset - June 2, 2020

Sunset - June 2, 2020

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

"Z" Is For Zippers......Not!

There used to be a popular saying years ago - at least amongst the quilting world  - "Asking a quilter to mend is like asking Van Gogh to paint the garage..." When the word "mend" looms - "Z"ippers immediately come to mind and the head is filled with dread and loathing...replacing a zipper is a task not for the faint of heart and around our house, the rule is...two times only on a single jacket - the 3rd time and it's out! Lately, the 2nd time is stretching things somewhat...


The zipper is a 19th century invention...Elias Howe applied for a patent in 1851 with his invention the "automatic, continuous clothing closure." He did not pursue this for whatever reasons - maybe he was too busy with something called a sewing machine...


In 1893, Whitcomb Judson came out with a "Clasp locker" and he is officially credited with being the "Inventor of the Zipper." This image is rather gruesome, don't you think? Reminds me of the edges along a circular saw blade and not something I would want attached to clothing...


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http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa082497.html

Today's zippers have a far different look to them - smooth, easily opened and closed in a fluid motion (most of the time if they don't get hung up on a lining!) and in an array of colors that numbers in the 100's+ Now you can buy a zipper and cut off what you don't need for installation - 

...that is what I did when assembling these 4 sewing notion boxes that were given as gifts.




Zippers will never be my favorite thing to "mend", replace or install...but when they work well, they sure make life a little easier...


And that is the very last letter in Alphabe-Thursday over at Jenny Matlock's.  Visit all the other "Z" postings this week! This has been such fun. It has been a nice opportunity to "meet" other bloggers and see what they are up to. It has also provided a challenge to tackle different subjects each week - things I might be familiar with but perhaps taking a different approach and best of all, learning something I didn't know about before. I joined in midway through so if Miss Jenny starts this up again I will be ready to jump in with the letter "A" - pretty sure I all ready have a word picked out!


Wishing each of you days of smoothly operating zippers..........
:o)



21 comments:

  1. I'm not a fan of zippers AT all! I always sent zipper repairs off to Mum and she was an absolute whiz at them and would never hesitate at putting a new zipper in jeans even, my admiration knew no bounds...But sadly her Alzheimer's has put an end to all sewing, so it's out when the zipper goes I'm afraid... :(
    Lizzie
    xxx

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  2. Great information on zipper, though I cringe when it comes to install it on anything..

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  3. Wonderful post! Thank goodness zippers have improved since that first one...it does look like what would go on a chainsaw. ouch! I love your fabric sewing notion boxes.

    Blessings & Aloha!

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  4. I enjoyed reading this post! Yes, zippers are not my favourites for replacing either! Your notions boxes are so attractive!

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  5. I must agree they are convenient, but I really dislike sewing them. Nice Z post!

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  6. Back in the days when I sewed a little, I hated putting zippers in..it may actually be why I quit sewing in the first place! Or maybe it was because I have absolutely..no...talent..for..it..at all..

    hah!

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  7. I am NOT a very good seamstress when it comes to zippers! I remember the first time I put in an invisible zipper - the air was blue (or would have been if I'd known enough bad words!)

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  8. I love the fabric in your notion boxes.

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  9. Sewing was never my forte - I did useless things like needlepoint, cross stich and crewel. God forbid, I would have ever put in a zipper! I'm glad someone else always did that!!

    My Alphabe is at:

    http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/04/alphabe-thursday-z-is-for-zebra-april-7.html

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  10. I totally dislike anything that has to do with garment sewing and avoid it if at all possible. Nice post on the zippers and the first one does look gruesome to behold, but everything begins somewhere. Thank heavens you finally have a daffodil poking up. I keep wishing you Spring. Love those sewing boxes and will be looking for that pattern - would make lovely presents for next year. Judy C sends you her best.

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  11. Love learning about the Zipper today! Those boxes look absolutely wonderful ! I don't do any sewing and when a zipper breaks that is it for me .

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  12. My friend came over and helped me with zippers for pillows, easy peasy her way! Loved the finished look. Your totes are FAB, what a labor intensive gift, and you made 4! Oh my! Glad you are enjoying the R&W photos. Go to Quilts in the Barn for some more, she's just getting her 1000 photos organized and is posting groups of them. I"ll be posting more over the weekend too.

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  13. Your post has a lot of zip to it. And thanks for the visit.....

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  14. Thank goodness I pay a really nice woman to replace broken zippers. One time would do me in.~Ames

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  15. I'm with you on the zipper thing! They are not fun to install at all and such a pain to work with. Those are the cutest notion boxes by the way :)

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  16. Yah when the zipper goes so does the jacket. I volunteer at a local thrift shop and they will mend those jackets, with zippers they cut off of unrepairable ones. They are the ultimate recycling shop. Thanks for the zippy info.

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  17. You will enjoy Downtown Abbey...watched it on PBS but guess we have to wait for series 2 to ties up ends....should be in production now....
    Sorry to have missed Liberty Ladies yesterday...still picking sand out of suitcase!!Jan M.

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  18. Let's here it for pullovers!
    Carla

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  19. Just popping back over!

    Whew! Hope your weekend continues to be blessed! :o)So many amazing blog parties,hops, memes this week! My friend, I wanted to say thank you again for stopping by my place, following and commenting. I had some giveaways on my post and on Apr 14th, will be listing the comments that were drawn to win one of the giveaways. Although your comment wasn't selected for one of the 5 giveaways, like my post mentioned, those not selected but had commented will be able to receive 10% off art drawn entirely with your choice of name. If you are interested, please email me. Thank you so much! mgbotelho21@gmail.com

    Blessings & Aloha!
    And wow!!! 112 cherries to applique...they truly are beautiful!

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  20. Accckkk...zippers. They make me shudder. I'm good with rips and buttons, but when I need to replace a zipper I am always tempted to throw the item away.

    A few years ago I went into a quilt shop and they showed a quilt almost entirely made of zippers. First of all, I thought how uncomfortable would that be...second of all, I broke out into a cold sweat even imagining sewing that many!

    This was a great wrap up for round two of A-T! I hope to see you in a few weeks as we start up round 3!

    A+

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  21. wow I love those fabric boxes, beautiful

    zippers yes I have seen them used more and more, I saw a zipper quilt once and thought no way would I ever want one like that,
    I love the soft feel of my quilts!
    what a beautiful block, I have been printing them out but haven't started yet, soon!

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Your comments are like the chocolate chips in cookies...they make my day!