How to Fix a Zipper on Jeans

heather handmade sewing

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If your jean zipper has broken on your favorite pair, then learn how to fix a zipper on jeans by replacing it with a new zipper.

We all have a favorite pair of jeans. The ones we reach for first and are saved for those special events. The ones that are broken in perfectly and make you feel the best.

I have a favorite pair of jeans that I have worn for years and years, and I keep reaching for. I just love them so much. Unfortunately, the topstitching started coming off, zipper tape wore out and ripped, and the zipper pull came off.

how to fix a zipper on jeans

It’s always worth it to replace a zipper instead of buying or making a new pair of jeans especially when your jeans are softened and broken in. They have kind of been molded to your body.

When you replace a zipper on jeans you do have to do a fair amount of seam ripping to remove the zipper. The only way to put a new zipper in is to completely remove the old zipper, but it is still easier to replace a zipper in a zipper fly than it is to create a zipper fly from scratch.

This is one of the sewing and alterations you can do yourself!

What is a zipper?

A zipper is two strips of fabric tape with interlocking metal or plastic teeth that are closed or open with a metal or plastic pull or slide. It’s used to fasten clothing and bags.

In this tutorial I use the words “teeth” meaning the interlocking projecting metal or plastic teeth, “zipper tape” meaning the two strips of fabric along each side, and “pull” meaning the slide that connects or disconnects the teeth.

broken jeans zipper

If the zipper still works well but you lost the zipper pull, you can fix a zipper pull that has fallen off. I actually pulled the zipper pull off while I was replacing the zipper in this tutorial, and luckily knew how to put it back on.

Do you love to sew jeans and upcycle? Try one of these sewing projects:

how to fix a zipper on jeans

How to Fix a Zipper on Jeans

supplies

Seam rip all the stitches from the left side of the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.

seam rip one side zipper

Seam rip all the stitches from the right side of the zipper to fully remove the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.

seam rip other side zipper

Remove the rest of the topstitching that is keeping the fly in place.

remove jean stitches

Cut the new zipper to the size of the old zipper.

cut zipper same size

Pin the left side of the zipper onto the left side of the jeans. The zipper tape will line up with the edge of the fly. Sew the zipper in place.

pin in zipper

Pin the left jeans front onto the zipper and topstitch it in place with a zipper foot. The left jeans front will have a creased fold that will guide you.

Here are some tips for sewing denim fabric.

sew in zipper

Looking at the jeans from the inside pin the right side of the zipper to the right side of the jeans. You will be pinning the zipper to the back of the fly which should be separated from the jeans front.

pin in other side zipper

Sew two rows of stitching on the zipper tape with a zipper foot. Make sure you’re not catching any fabric when sewing the zipper.

sew in other side zipper

Pin the right zipper and fly to the front of the jeans and redo the fly topstitching.

resew jeans topstitching

Redo any topstitching that was removed below the zipper.

jeans topstitching

Sew the waistband closed with the zipper edge inside with topstitching.

resew waistband

Check to see if your zipper works.

how to fix a zipper on jeans

The inside stitching might be a little messy, but nobody will see it.

stitches inside
how to fix a zipper on jeans

How to Fix a Zipper on Jeans

Yield: Replaces zipper in one pair of jeans
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Confident Beginner
Estimated Cost: $15

If your jean zipper has broken on your favorite pair, then learn how to fix a zipper on jeans by replacing it with a new zipper.

Materials

  • Jeans with a broken zipper
  • Jean zipper

Tools

  • Sewing tools
  • Sewing machine

Instructions

  1. Seam rip all the stitches from the left side of the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.
  2. Seam rip all the stitches from the right side of the zipper to fully remove the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.
  3. Remove the rest of the topstitching that is keeping the fly in place.
  4. Cut the new zipper to the size of the old zipper.
  5. Pin the left side of the zipper onto the left side of the jeans. The zipper tape will line up with the edge of the fly. Sew the zipper in place.
  6. Pin the left jeans front onto the zipper and topstitch it in place with a zipper foot. The left jeans front will have a creased fold that will guide you.
  7. Here are some tips for sewing denim fabric.
  8. Looking at the jeans from the inside pin the right side of the zipper to the right side of the jeans. You will be pinning the zipper to the back of the fly which should be separated from the jeans front.
  9. Sew two rows of stitching on the zipper tape with a zipper foot. Make sure you're not catching any fabric when sewing the zipper.
  10. Pin the right zipper and fly to the front of the jeans and redo the fly topstitching.
  11. Redo any topstitching that was removed below the zipper.
  12. Sew the waistband closed with the zipper edge inside with topstitching.
  13. Check to see if your zipper works.
  14. The inside stitching might be a little messy, but nobody will see it.

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If you fix a zipper on jeans using this tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!

how to fix a zipper on jeans
heather sewing

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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Thank-you for taking the time to map this out. Replacing a zipper is something I have been tentative about. But with step by step photos the next zipper to fail me will be replaced!
Z