Before any other uses were later envisioned, the giant zipper project really originally began as a quest to create the perfectly scaled over-sized zip for our Kingdom Hearts costumes, specifically for Organization XIII cosplays. The following options are various methods we've employed, and (so far) there are four different ways to choose from.
For those crafting their own coats : If you have questions plotting out your own patterns or would like to take a look at some tutorials, please visit the Organization XIII cosplay supplies + tutorial thread on cosplay.com to help you get started.
If you would like to return to the main zipper selection page, please click here, and if you'd like to see some zippers already in use in costumes, please check out the gallery.
OPTION #1 = 2x original black
This is the option for those that want the visually accurate 2-pull design, but don't want to mess with cutting or splicing at all. This is the simpliest and most straight-forward way to make use of the zips, in a length that is appropriate for many coats.
Placement = The zippers are placed opposite each other, with the top zipper zipping downward to its endstop for entry (and then zipped to the top when wearing) and the bottom zipper zipping up to its endstop. (Neither can be zipped past the middle of the coat, since each slider pull is essentially on a separate non-connected track. However, this still does allow for enough room to exit the costume in most cases - but do note that with the tighter-sleeved designs like Demyx, Xigbar and Axel it is a bit harder to wiggle out than with any of the other options.)
To attach = These can be Liquid-Stitched or machine-sewn.
The pulls cannot be pulled accidentally off their tracks since the endstops remain intact in this method.
glossy black teeth on black nylon tape w/ black slider pull x 2
23" long a piece, both placed end-to-end for 46" long total
$20.00 $18.00 for a pair
OPTION #2 = 1x new gunmetal
By popular request, we now offer a fully-separating style so you can enter and exit your costumes to wear like real coats even when you aren't cosplaying. This version is also a bit longer to accomodate taller coats.
Placement = The zipper is actually placed in what would normally be upside-down, the way military jackets are zipped. The reconnecting end-feed is located on the neck, and the slider-pull zips downward to the desired position.
To attach = Again, since there is no splicing to this method, machine-sewing is possible, as is Liquid-Stitching, for most of the zipper. However, the last 1" of hard mesh on the end-feeder must be hand-sewn or epoxied.
gunmetal teeth on black nylon tape w/ gunmetal slider pull x 1
51" long total
$17.00
OPTION #3 = original black splice
Saeru offers a splicing service which involves cutting apart mulitple zippers, fray-blocking the edges and adhering them with Goop epoxy, feeding the multiple tracks together as one continuous line to place into a coat. Since we only have a few prefabricated lengths of our zippers, if you are looking for an exact length of zipper for your coat, this is the way to go.
Placement = The spliced version goes in just as you would expect. You can zip the slider pulls past the spliced areas since the previously separate tracks of teeth now feed together as one.
To attach = Liquid-Stitching is most recommended in this case. Machine or hand-sewing is possible with the exception of the middle-splice, which cannot be sewn through.
glossy black teeth on black nylon tape w/ two black slider pulls
any length is possible (options below range from 24" to 66" long)
$22-$34 ( varies with length )
For more information on the hand-splicing process for Option #3
We can also incorporate an extra pull (to best match Organization coat designs) by cutting down the pre-made gunmetal type, but the trade-off is that this edit renders them no longer fully-separating and with no endstops. However, since there is no unsewable spliced area to this methos, this version is just as easy to attach to fabric as Option #1 is.
Placement = There is no specific up or down in this case. However, note that in order to place both slider pulls in opposite directions, the original slider connecter has been cut off, so care must be taken to avoid zipping the pulls off the teeth track (which they lucky can be slid back onto, though, if this happens) so it's recommended to keep the remaining endstop as the top by your neck.
To attach = Since there is no splicing to this method, machine or hand-sewing is possible, as is Liquid-Stitching, for the entire length of the zipper.
gunmetal teeth on black nylon tape w/ two gunmetal slider pulls
orgXIII.org
