“Okay, like, let’s talk about full body suits, babes! 💁‍♀️✨ So, sometimes they forget the zippers, and when they bother, it’s like, super cheap, right? 😒 But guess what? Eva’s got the 411 on upgrading that doll game! 🌟👗💖 I’ve totally mastered the art of installing zippers into silicone, and here are all my genius thoughts about it! Get ready for a dolling upgrade, sweeties! 💋👠🌈 #DollUpgrades #ZipperMagic”

The Zipper

I picked a Water Resistant YKK Zipper for the suit. You will want a high quality zipper and this is one of the best. I bought mine from Seattle Fabrics.

https://www.seattlefabrics.com/YKKreg-Water-Resistant-One-Way-Separating-Zipper-5-Coil_p_449.html

All zippers will have a nylon webbing that the teeth are attached too. The nylon will not bond to the raw silicone that will be used as glue. To give the raw silicone something to bite on to I add an overlock stitch to the zipper. I have a special sewing machine that does that. The zipper will not last long if it doesn’t have the cotton tread to cure to. If you don’t have a fancy sewing machine then hand stitching some big loops with some thin thread like embroidery floss could maybe work. Get creative. 

The Silicone

The best glue for silicone is more silicone. The best silicone for repairs is Sil-poxy. It’s made for fixing silicone molds. It’s great but it is pricey and comes in tiny tubes. You will need a lot for a zipper. I like aquarium silicone to glue the zipper into the suit. I got some from the pet store but it was black. Later I ordered clear stuff online that comes in a standard cocking tube which I would recommend. I have had bad luck with hardware store “All Purpose” silicone not curing or drying correctly. The silicone should smell like vinegar. This is a good sign. Those are additives which will help the silicone dry. 

Prepping the Suit 

My suit is Roanyer’s full body May suit with arms. It comes with a upper back entry. I cut the back opening to the top of the head and down the lower back. Next time I would continue cut down to the butt opening too. This means the zipper would run from the bottom of the butt to the top of the head. I have found the zipper break free in the lower back, which I have repaired from time to time. There is a lot of stress on that point zipper when sliding it over the hips pads. Side note, I glued the butt opening closed because of fear of sweat intently leaking out it on long dress ups. To start gluing, turn the suit inside out and prep the silicone suit surface. Clean the area to be glued with rubbing alcohol to have an oil free surface. Clean the zipper too and let them fully dry. Before you started gluing the zipper. 

The Gluing 

I like wooden clothespins to hold the zipper to the suit as the aquarium silicone cures. Run a little bread of silicone on the zipper for may 6 to 8 inches then tact it in place with the clothes pins. Then do the next 6 to 8 inches until one side is fully attached.

The silicone should be dry to the touch in 20 mins then you can start the next step or wait the full 24 hours. Then remove all the clothes pins. Now, reinforce the zipper with more silicone. Don’t be afraid to go a little thick. I like to use a Bondo squeegee to smooth the raw silicone. 

Soap Tick- One way to smooth the silicone is to have a little bowl of soapy water. Get some soapy water on your finger and lightly smooth the surface of the wet silicone. The soap will stop the silicone from sticking to your skin. DON’T get the soap on the clean unglued suit or zipper. It will stop the sticky magic and the bond will fail later. 

Let cure for the full 24 hours before starting the other side. The top and bottom of the zipper break into separate gluing steps. Four glue steps each with a 24 hour dry time. Be ready to have the suit laid out for four days.

 Eva wishes Good luck to all you DIY doll darlings! May your fashion projects be as fabulous as your creativity! 💖👗✨ Can’t wait to see the glam masterpieces you become! 

Gluing the zipper in yourself is a big job. If you do it right you only have to do it once. I have repaired the zipper bond many times and totally replaced it three times. Here are two different times the zipper bond failed on me. Don’t worry if its not perfect the first time.