How to Replace a Zipper on Jeans

6 Materials
$5
1 Hour
Easy

Have you ever had the zipper in your jeans break? It's especially frustrating if you don't know how to fix it. It looks so complicated, but it really isn't.


Today, I want to show you how to replace a zipper on jeans the easy way. Let's do it!

Tools and materials:

  • Zipper
  • Seam ripper
  • Pins
  • Matching thread
  • Zipper foot
  • Sewing machine
Removing the broken zipper

1. Remove the broken zipper

On the right hand side, the zipper is held in place by a single row of stitches and a small section of the waistband.


Use your seam zipper to remove the stitching along the edge of the tape and just enough of the waistband to release it.

Removing the broken zipper

On the left, remove the two rows of stitches on the tape and the section of waistband that holds the zipper tape.

Adding replacement zipper

2. Replacement zipper

Measure the fly opening to check the length of zipper you need to get. 


If necessary, you can shorten metal and nylon zippers to the correct length.

Adding replacement zipper

3. Place the new zipper

Open the zipper.


Fold under the bottom of the zipper tape on the right hand side.


Place the zipper tape between the front of the jeans and the fly guard on the right.


Push it under until the front edge of the jeans is close to the zipper teeth. Tuck the top of the zipper tape into the waistband.

Adding replacement zipper

Using a zipper foot, sew the zipper in place by stitching close to the teeth in the previous stitch line.


When the zipper tab gets in the way, make sure your needle is in the fabric before closing the zipper.


Sew as far as you can go and backstitch to secure.

Adding replacement zipper

Make sure the zipper teeth are below the waistband before sewing it close to the edge.

Opening fly

4. Open the fly

If you don't want your stitching on the left hand side of the zipper to show on the outside, you need to open the fly out flat.


Use the seam ripper to undo the two curved rows of stitching on the fly.

Opening fly

Release the top of the fly from the waistband.

Inserting zipper tape

5. Insert the left zipper tape

Turn your jeans inside out.


Fold the jeans at the center front so the fly facing is free of the pants.


Place the left hand side of the zipper tape face down on the fly facing.

Inserting zipper tape

Sew down the center of the zipper tape, starting at the bottom of the zipper.

Restitching the waistband

6. Restitch the waistband

Turn the jeans right side out.


Fold the fly facing to the inside. 


Trim the top of the zipper tape and tuck the top of the doubled fly into the waistband.

Restitching the waistband

Turn under the end of the waistband and sew it back in place through all the layers, using the previous stitching line as a guide.

Finishing

7. Finishing

Top stitch the two curved rows of stitching along the edge of the fly.


Close the zipper.

Sewing

On the right side, use a condensed zigzag stitch or satin stitch to replace the bar tack on the curve of the top stitching and stop the fly facing from lifting.

Jeans zipper


How to replace a zipper on jeans

How to replace a zipper on jeans

I bet that was easier than you thought, right? Replacing a zipper in jeans can seem intimidating but with my broken zipper hack, it really is pretty straightforward.


If you don't mind seeing a row of stitches on the front, you can skip step 4 completely and sew through both sides of the fly.


Do you feel confident to do this yourself now? Let me know if you have any questions at all.


Next, Follow This Easy Pattern Tutorial to Create Super Cute Sweatpants.

Suggested materials:
  • Zipper
  • Seam ripper
  • Pins
See all materials

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