JZips was born in the heart of my grandmother, Judith Harouche, and her best friend, Agi Weiss.
At 15, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I spent weeks at a time in the hospital receiving treatment. That meant wearing hospital gowns that made me feel uncomfortable, disconnected, and invisible.
My grandma saw the way it stripped me of my confidence. And like only grandmas can, she stepped in and fixed it.
She took one of my favorite T-shirts, stitched in a zipper by hand, making my port accessible while allowing me to be comfortable in my favorite T-shirt (yes, it was an iron man one). It wasn’t just a shirt. It was comfort. It was dignity. It was love sewn into the very fabric.
That first shirt started it all.
But this blog isn’t about me.
It’s about her.
And Agi.
Grandma Judy & Agi: The Hands Behind the Mission
Grandma Judy is more than just my grandmother. She’s a retired teacher who spent her life supporting children with special needs through by teaching art and compassion.
And then there’s Agi.
Agi is Grandma Judy’s closest friend and one of the most quietly powerful people I’ve ever met. She didn’t ask for credit. She just showed up, thread in hand, and never left.
She keeps track of the shirts she sews, not to brag or boast, but simply to take pride in how many children she’s been able to comfort with this gift.
Together, they’ve sewn hundreds of JZips, every single one by hand.
They do it with laughter.
With love.
With total devotion to this mission.
And they’ve never once lost sight of why they do it.
They sew for the kids.
They sew for the families.
They are the heart of JZips.
What Makes Their JZips Different
JZips has grown. We now work with professional seamstresses who sew thousands of shirts by machine. We ship across the country and are supported by an incredible community.
But no matter how big we get, some of the most special JZips are the ones people feel something extra in and are still made by Grandma Judy and Agi.
You can tell which shirts came from them.
The stitching is intentional.
Tiny, perfect hand-sewn lines.
But more than that, you can feel it.
The love.
The effort.
The story.
They’re not just helping with production. They shape our culture.
They remind me why we started.
Why we keep going.
And why we’ll never cut corners, no matter how much we grow.
The Spirit of JZips Lives in Their Hands
When I talk about JZips, I talk about comfort, dignity, and community.
And when I think of those words, I picture two best friends.
Sometimes side by side.
Sometimes in different places.
Always hand sewing, not because they have to, but because they believe in giving back.
They use their talent to create something filled with intention.
“Dear Jordan, it’s unfortunate that my contribution is needed to provide some comfort to children and young adults who suffer from cancer, but I am glad of the opportunity to help in any way I can. I intend to continue as long as I am able. Thank you for giving me the chance to help this good cause.”
— Agi
Still Sewing, Still Showing Up
It’s been six years since that first shirt.
But Grandma Judy and Agi are still sewing.
Still cutting.
Still pinning.
Still threading needles.
Still stitching love into every shirt.
Their hands may be behind the stitches.
But their hearts are in every shirt they sew.
This blog is for them.
For the friends.
For the women who remind us that the greatest things often begin with love… and a needle and thread.
— Jordan