How to Fix a Bulging Zipper on a Dress? Easy Way to Correct

You can easily fix the bulging zipper on your dress by trying some basic things such as gentle pulling, applying pressure or lubricants, using pliers, safety pins, or bobby pins, etc. If none of them works, consider replacing the zipper.

Bumpy zippers are pretty common but unwanted at the same time. It ruins the look of your dress and makes you frustrated. However, before rushing out to replace the zipper, you can try out a few household items to fix the issue by yourself. 

How to Fix a Bulging Zipper on a Dress – Methods Showing

A bulging zipper can be fixed by trying out some simple methods. In most cases, the problem is solved with a little bit of tweaking. For other cases, you can simply make use of some tools available at your home.

Way 1: Try Gentle Pulling

This is the first option that anyone would try. You gently pull on the zipper tab and try to go back and forth to see if it fixes the issue. If it does not, then try out the next method

Way 2: Pull the Center Back-Up and Down

If the zipper on the dress is bulging, you can adjust the back neck at the center. Do this by cutting away about 2 cm and then try blending it again with the shoulder. Although, you should pay more care to your shoulder and your back armhole as they might need a bit of alteration too.

If the back bodice is cut according to the length of the front bodice, then zip bumps will be present in the dress. Therefore, the back bodice should be shorter than the front bodice.

Way 3: Apply Lip Balm

In the case of partial bulging, you can fix the bulge yourself by applying a little bit of lip balm. To do that, you have to simply rub the lip balm onto the teeth of the zipper and lubricate it well. Once done, you can expect a different outcome.

Way 4: Apply Pressure

If you see the bulge at the bottom of the zipper, apply a little bit of pressure right above the bulge area. This will push the bulge back in place and your zipper will start working again.

Way 5: Use a Safety Pin or Bobby Pin

For a peculiar bulge on one side of the zipper, use a safety pin. You have to push the safety pin through the fabric on any side of the zipper. Then pull the zipper up and you will see that the fabric is kept in place. Alternatively, a bobby pin can be used in the same way.

Way 6: Steady the Stretchy Fabric

Your fabric may very well have the issue of bulging if it is a stretchy one. Although, some fusible interfacing may solve this issue and stabilize the fabric. 

Way 7: Replace the Zipper

If all the above-mentioned tricks fail, then you might have to replace the zipper. All you will need is some basic sewing skills for that. However, keep in mind that replacing the zipper is a bit tricky regardless.

Make sure the new zipper has the same length as the previous one. You will also need a needle and thread to get started.

How Do You Fix a Zipper That Sticks Out?

A zipper that sticks out from a dress surely does not look good. You can try out a few things before getting the zipper replaced. One of them is to check the teeth. You can simply stretch the zipper out by giving it a slow tug and pull.

Align the zipper properly by smoothening everything out. After that, try to tune the slider along with the teeth carefully. Another option is to try different lubricants such as bar soap, graphite pencil, baby powder, lip balm, Zipper Glide, or wax along with the teeth.

If these tricks are still not solving the issue, you have to take a closer look at the teeth. You might need to straighten on an individual level with needle-nose pliers. Get the teeth back in place, apply a lubricant, and try the slider again.

How Do You Stop a Zipper Bulge?

To stop a zipper bulge, you have to carefully sew the zipper so that the fabric around the zipper does not get stretched. However, if the fabric has been distorted, it often won’t go back to normal no matter how much you press it.

Another reason why you might have a zipper bulge is because of cutting your pattern with little seam allowance. To solve this issue, you have to unpick the zipper and connect it back with a larger seam allowance. By doing that, it should fit itself.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Why does a zipper pucker?

A zipper pucker occurs when there is too much tension with the swing. As a result, it causes a stretch in the thread. Although after sewing when the thread relaxes and tries to recover its original length, it gathers up the seam, causing the pucker. It is more noticeable at a later stage.

Can I fix a zipper without replacing it?

You can indeed fix a zipper without replacing it. If you have got a broken zipper, do not let it be the reason for discarding the entire item. You can fix a stubborn zipper by using some household lubricants and a pair of pliers. All you will need is a little bit of patience.

Conclusion

To sum it up, if you see a bulge on your dress due to faulty sewing of the zipper, do not get agitated. Try out a few things mentioned above and see how it goes. In most cases, your dress will be back in shape and the zipper will work just fine. However, be patient and make sure to take your time solving the issue properly.