In this post, we will explain how you can use YKK coil zippers and pulls in lots of applications -- from applying new pulls to finishing zippers.  Coil zippers are great to use when you need a bit of flexibility in the zipper, like for going around a curve.  They are strong zippers and used in a lot of outdoor gear and clothing. Read all about molded tooth zippers in this blog post, in case you want to compare the two types.  

You can see our coil zipper collections here: 

  • Non-separating coil zippers.  These are pocket (both ends of zipper do not separate) and neckline zippers (one end separates for applying at a neckline). These are short zippers and only 7" long.
  • One-way separating coil zippers.  These zippers come in a variety of lengths and only separate at one end - so great for leg zips on pants or for sleeping bags (the long one).  Good for bags too.
  • Two-way separating coil zippers.  These zippers are very long and have one locking and one non-locking zipper pull on them so they can be zipped up or down from both ends.  They are great for sleeping bags.
  • Coil zipper by the yard.  You can buy this zipper by the yard for projects that need a zipper than separates at both ends or zippers to put in bags, coats, or pockets.  This zipper can be used in lots of applications.  You have to cut it to the length you need for your project and you must add the zipper pulls to the zipper (more on this below).
  • Coil zipper pulls.  These zipper pulls are used on coil zippers -- either zipper by the yard or when replacing a zipper pull on a garment or bag.

Types of Coil Zipper Pulls

The Green Pepper has three types of coil zipper pulls:  Locking, Single Pull, and Double Pull.  Locking pulls do what their name suggests and "lock" in place and won't move, even when the zipper is being moved around.  They have a bar that sets between the zipper teeth to keep the pull in place until the zipper tab is pulled.  Single pulls do not have a locking mechanism and can be pulled up or down from one side of the zipper tape.  Double pulls have zipper tabs on both sides of the zipper tape and can be pulled up and down from either side.  

drawing of three zipper pulls

Zipper Size

The size for coil zipper pulls can be found on the nose (center bar) of non-locking coil pulls (see arrows on the image above), or the back of most locking pulls. The numbers indicate the size, so that 5C = #5 Coil Zipper, 8C = #7 Coil Zipper, and so on.  Another way to check the size of a pull is to measure the inside dimension of the bottom of the zipper to determine size for of pulls (see image below for where to measure): #7 = .7 cm wide, #5 = .55 cm wide, etc.   Be sure to check the size, or measure, before installing or ordering replacement pulls.

coil zipper pull

 

Coil Zipper by the Yard

Coil zipper by the yard is zipper tape without the pulls and is bought by the yard.  It is especially well suited for application to packs, bags, sleeping bags, and garments which do not require a separating zipper. Coil zipper bends around corners better than molded tooth or metal zippers, so it is great for places that need the zipper to bend around a corner.  Zipper by the yard is great for times when you need several different lengths or for a specific length that you cannot buy in standard length.  It is also great for applications where both ends are encased in the garment or bag (such as for large pockets, bag/pack tops, etc). Coil zipper by the yard does not come with pulls, so you have to add pulls to the zipper either before or after the zipper in installed (depending on the project).  We will show you have to add zipper pulls to zipper by the yard below.  Zipper by the yard also comes in different sizes, which is based on the width of the teeth.  You will need to have coil zipper pulls that match the zipper by the yard size in order for them to work together.  In other words, you need #5 pull for a #5 zipper, a #7 pull for a #7 zipper.  The only confusing thing about this is that the #7 zipper pull and zipper are also called #8 (because they are the same thing). 

drawing of coil zipper sizes

Applying a Single Pull to Coil Zipper-by-the-Yard

1. Zipper pull may be put on either before or after zipper is stitched to bag or garment.
2. Hold zipper pull so rounded end with bar in middle is toward zipper tape.
3. Put one side of zipper into pull about two-thirds of the way on one side of bar.
4. Put other side of zipper into pull on opposite of center bar. You may have to angle zipper slightly to put it into pull.  Note, if your zippers ends start to fray, trim them evenly and start again.  The fraying can make it more difficult to achieve this and the following step.
drawing of zipper pull being put onto zipper tape
5. Now place zipper on flat surface. While holding two halves of zipper next to each other with one hand, gently push zipper pull onto zipper with other hand until zipper starts to zip.
drawing of hands with coil zipper pull being pushed on to zipper tape

Applying Two Zipper Pulls Which Meet in the Middle


Sometimes you want two zipper pulls so a bag (or garment) can be opened or closed in both directions.  For adding two zipper pulls that have their "noses" meet in the middle, follow the instructions below.
1. To have two pulls zip to the middle, put a pull on from each end of the zipper following instructions above.
2. Zip pulls together at center of zipper. If there is a bubble on one side, check to see which zipper ends are not matching. Remove zipper pull and put on again, making sure zipper ends are even.  A tip for having zipper ends even (and not having the bubble) is to try to feed the sides of the zipper teeth into the zipper pull the same amount on each side.  In other words, if you have fed one side 2/3 of the way into the pull, do your best to get the other side fed in 2/3 before you try to push the pull onto the tape.  
drawing of two zipper tapes with two zipper pulls on them; one has a bubble and is marked wrong

Applying a Reversible Zipper Pull

1. Before applying a reversible pull, check to make sure the side of pull with the
larger lip is going over the coil side of the zipper.
2. Proceed with the same steps as for applying single-sided pull. Reversible pulls are a little more difficult to put on, but with patience, you can do it.
drawing of applying a reversible coil zipper pull to tape


Finishing a Coil Zipper When Zipper Top is Exposed

1. First put on the pull and stitch the zipper in place. Stitch across the zipper bottom and along each side of zipper to 1/4” below the top finished edge. Back tack.
drawing of a zipper in a garment with the top exposed and stitching around the zipper tape
2. During this stitching make sure pull does not come off top ends of zipper. If it does come off, you will have to rip out the stitching at the bottom of zipper and put pull on again from the bottom.
3. With zipper un-zipped, cut off the top of zipper about 3/4” above the top of stitching. Fold each side of zipper tape over itself at a 45 degree angle, and stitch in place. This stitching will form a top stop for the zipper pull.
drawing of a coil zipper top folded at a 45 degree angle for finishing at the top of a garment

Special Double Stop - for a non-separating zipper where both pulls face the same direction

These instructions are for putting on pulls where they both face the same direction and zip up one way and down another.  This type zipper can be used in bags, but also in our men's Black Butte Jumpsuit front.  You can use these instructions to add an extra pull to an assembled zipper tape, or to zipper-by-the-yard.

FIRST PULL: (Skip this section if you have an assembled non-separating zipper).
1. Separate zipper and hold zipper pull so rounded end with bar in the middle points toward one half of zipper tape.
2. Thread zipper tape through pull on one side of center bar so that it extends slightly beyond the pull.
3.Put other side of zipper tape into pull on opposite side of center bar. You may
have to angle zipper slightly to put it into pull.
drawing of zipper pull being put on zipper tape
4. Place zipper on flat surface. While holding two halves of zipper next to each other with one hand, gently push zipper onto pull with other hand until zipper starts to zip. (Zipped zipper ends will be uneven.)

SECOND PULL: NOTE: If using assembled zipper, zip zipper and remove or cut off bottom stops.
1. Back flat end of second pull over closed zipper teeth or coil. You may need to
squeeze the teeth or coil together slightly as they start to feed into pull.
drawing of zipper pull being backed onto zipper tape
2. When pull is 3/4 of way onto shorter side of tape, grasp top of tape on each side, and pull tape out away from pull.
3. Slide pull down.
drawing of hands pulling zipper teeth apart
4. See shortening or finishing steps that meet your needs. Trim zipper ends to match as you finish your garment.


Do you have any tips to add for using coil zippers?  Add them in the comments!

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