This week, the kids have been sent back to school and most of them will be wearing brand spanking new uniforms, looking particularly smart for their 'first day of school' photos. Unfortunately however, it probably won't be too long before the rough and tumble of school means that uniform and bags will start to get broken, ripped or damaged and will be in need of a little repair. Here at Calico Laine, you can Buy Zips, buttons, hemming tape and press fasteners to mend all those worn school uniforms rather than buying new. The first couple of terms at school are usually the coldest, weather wise and therefore it is important that your child has a good winter coat to keep them dry and warm. With coats being in constant use, it is possible that over time the zip may break however as a coat usually a costly item to fully replace you may want to simply replace the zip if the rest of the coat is still useable. You can Buy Zips that are open ended for jackets and coats which means that they will open fully at the bottom so that both sides of the coat separate from each other for you to get in and out of it easily. Nylon and plastic open ended zips are probably our most popular for this type of repair however you can also Buy Zips in silver coloured metal and brass which will work in the same way. Over time as the kids are playing in the playground or simply from everyday use, the zips in their skirts and trousers may break and again, it is sometimes cheaper to replace the zip rather than buy a new garment. Dress Zips are ideal for both trousers and skirts as they are lightweight and closed ended which means they have a stopper at the end and will not separate. They start at 4" for the smallest pair of trousers and go up to a 22". Most school uniforms would not need a zip as long as this however it is an option if you have a particularly tall child! You can also Buy Zips if you are repairing school rucksacks, shoulder bags or boot bags. These may be a little bit more difficult to sew in however the same type of zips can be used. I would probably suggest using continuous zipping for some of these items as they can be cut down to the specific size you require and can be finished inside the bag to stop it at the end. Continuous zipping comes with a nylon style spiral zipping similar to a dress zip however it is heavier in weight than a dress zip which would be more suitable for a bag.