How to Fix a Zipper: Replace Zipper Pull and Replace Zipper Stops
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Learn how to fix a zipper. Learn to replace the zipper pull on a jacket or jeans, and then replace the zipper stops to keep the pull on.
Zippers are a such great fastener. The work for so many things like backpacks, dresses, jackets, jeans, etc. They can be long or short, any color, and some are even decorative.
Zippers are usually pretty sturdy and can hold up to a lot of use and pressure, but every once in awhile they break or the zipper pull comes off. Here are a couple of different ways to fix different kinds of zippers.
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.
One of the best helps for reparing a zipper is by having the right tools. You need small needle nosed pliers and small nippers. Then you need a zipper repair kit with is full of different sized zipper pulls and zipper stops for the top and the bottom.
Do you love to sew? Try one of these sewing projects:
- How to replace a zipper on a jacket
- How to sew a zipper pouch
- DIY small circle zipper pouch
- How to Replace a zipper on jeans
- How to sew a zipper
- How to fix a zipper if the pull came off
How to Fix a Zipper
Supplies
- Small needle nosed pliers
- Small nippers tool
- Zipper repair kit – my favorite is from Wawak
- Marking tool
- Small scissors
Can I Fix an Invisible Zipper?
These techniques I’m going to teach you in this post won’t work the same for invisible zippers since they use different zipper stops. You can put an invisible zipper pull back on, but you have to sew new zipper stops on to keep it from falling off.
How to Replace a Zipper Pull
This is my son’s favorite jacket, and this summer the zipper pull with the Darth Vader head tassel came off. He was so sad because he wants to keep wearing it and be able to zip it up.
This fix will only work if there is nothing wrong with the zipper teeth or the separating zipper parts.
Use the nippers to cut the top zipper top off of the right side (the side of a separating zipper that always has the zipper pull).
Pick a new zipper pull that is the same size, width, and shape as the old zipper pull.
Slide the zipper pull back onto the zipper. If it’s hard to put the zipper pull on then use the scissors to make a tiny cut in the zipper tape right above the top zipper teeth.
Grab a top zipper stop, the ones shapes like a “U”, and place it just above the zipper teeth. Pinch it closed around the zipper tape with the pliers.
Switch the tassel to the new zipper pull. Use the new zipper pull and you finished!
How to Fix a Metal Zipper
To fix a metal zipper you need a metal zipper repair kit.
If the zipper pull is broken but still on the zipper, then cut off the bottom zipper stop with either scissors or the nippers. Pull the zipper pull off.
Put the new zipper pull on. Get a bottom zipper stop, the one with the flat piece and four prongs. Push it through the zipper tape at the bottom of the zipper teeth.
The prongs will come through the fabric to the back of the zipper. Fold all the prongs down to secure the zipper stop to the bottom of the zipper.
To shorten the zipper, cut the zipper teeth with the nippers from the top of the zipper.
Put a “U” shaped stop right above the zipper teeth.
Pinch the zipper stop closed with the pliers.
How to Fix a Plastic Zipper
To fix a plastic zipper you need a plastic zipper repair kit.
If the zipper pull is broken but still on the zipper, then cut off the bottom zipper stop with either scissors or the nippers. Pull the zipper pull off.
The zipper stops are either “U” shaped or a rectangle with four prongs.
Put the new zipper pull on. Get a bottom zipper stop, the one with the flat piece and four prongs. Push it through the zipper tape at the bottom of the zipper teeth.
Push the four prongs down with pliers to secure the zipper.
To shorten the zipper, cut the zipper teeth with the nippers from the top of the zipper. Put a “U” shaped stop right above the zipper teeth and crimp it closed with the pliers.
How to Fix a Zipper: Replace Zipper Pull and Replace Zipper Stops
Learn how to fix a zipper. Learn to replace the zipper pull on a jacket or jeans, and then replace the zipper stops to keep the pull on.
Materials
- Broken zipper
Tools
- Small needle nosed pliers
- Small nippers tool
- Zipper repair kit - my favorite is from Wawak
- Marking tool
- Small scissors
Instructions
How to Replace a Zipper Pull
- This fix will only work if there is nothing wrong with the zipper teeth or the separating zipper parts.
- Use the nippers to cut the top zipper top off of the right side (the side of a separating zipper that always has the zipper pull).
- Pick a new zipper pull that is the same size, width, and shape as the old zipper pull.
- Slide the zipper pull back onto the zipper. If it's hard to put the zipper pull on then use the scissors to make a tiny cut in the zipper tape right above the top zipper teeth.
- Grab a top zipper stop, the ones shapes like a "U", and place it just above the zipper teeth. Pinch it closed around the zipper tape with the pliers.
- Switch the tassel to the new zipper pull. Use the new zipper pull and you finished!
How to Fix a Metal Zipper
- To fix a metal zipper you need a metal zipper repair kit.
- If the zipper pull is broken but still on the zipper, then cut off the bottom zipper stop with either scissors or the nippers. Pull the zipper pull off.
- Put the new zipper pull on. Get a bottom zipper stop, the one with the flat piece and four prongs. Push it through the zipper tape at the bottom of the zipper teeth.
- The prongs will come through the fabric to the back of the zipper. Fold all the prongs down to secure the zipper stop to the bottom of the zipper.
- To shorten the zipper, cut the zipper teeth with the nippers from the top of the zipper.
- Put a "U" shaped stop right above the zipper teeth.
- Pinch the zipper stop closed with the pliers.
How to Fix a Plastic Zipper
- To fix a plastic zipper you need a plastic zipper repair kit.
- If the zipper pull is broken but still on the zipper, then cut off the bottom zipper stop with either scissors or the nippers. Pull the zipper pull off.
- The zipper stops are either "U" shaped or a rectangle with four prongs.
- Put the new zipper pull on. Get a bottom zipper stop, the one with the flat piece and four prongs. Push it through the zipper tape at the bottom of the zipper teeth.
- Push the four prongs down with pliers to secure the zipper.
- To shorten the zipper, cut the zipper teeth with the nippers from the top of the zipper. Put a "U" shaped stop right above the zipper teeth and crimp it closed with the pliers.
If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather
So useful!