Zippers are a hot topic in jewelry and fashion from bracelets to ruffles and from necklaces to zipper flowers they make a statement. Join the fun by making your own zipper bracelet or necklace from a recycled zipper.
People who refashion old clothes often find themselves with lots of old zippers at their disposal. Soon they find they have more zippers than they can possibly hope to reuse but they are loath to throw a perfectly good zipper away. Zippers with metal teeth can be easily transformed into whimsical necklaces and bracelets in a few easy steps. This satisfying project takes less than half an hour to make.
Supplies for Zipper Chain
- Metal zipper
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Lobster clasp
- Pliers
- Jump ring or wire
- Zipper pull charms (optional)
Instructions for Making a Zipper Chain
- Make sure the zipper is together (aka zipped).
- Use the scissors to remove the fabric tape. Cut as closely as you can to the edge of the teeth.
- While holding the zipper pull with the pliers, use the lighter to run flame along the edges of the fabric tape. The heat will melt the loose threads, which will prevent them from fraying and make your zipper ‘chain’ look cleaner.
- The zipper will be very hot. Allow it to cool.
- Run the jump ring through the gap in the zipper end tab or make a custom sized jump ring for the project. JagWear Custom Made Jewelry has a great tutorial for making your own jump rings.
- Attach the jump ring to a lobster clasp. To close the necklace or bracelet, simply attach the clasp directly to the zipper.
Ideas and Suggestions
- Next time you get rid of a pair of jeans, remember to cut out the zipper before you toss them (better yet, use the old jeans to make other fashion accessories).
- Zippers from jeans are the right length for bracelets. For necklaces, you will need metal zippers from coats, sweaters, or dresses.
- Hang a zipper charm from the end of the zipper pull.
- Use zipper chains in other places around the home where you use chains. For instance, rather than using a standard ball chain on your ceiling fan or lamp replace it with a zipper chain.
- If you have a tweenage or teenage daughter, this would be a fun project for her and her friends to do together (with adult supervision of course).
- If you have a child involved in some sort of fund raising project, these could be an inexpensive and popular item for them to sell.
- Make a Zipper Chain Bracelet to go with your necklace.
Melissa Howard - I am a stay-at-home Mom. My college education was in English and History and my last job was as a Technical Writer. Now that I ...
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