How to Shorten a Zipper Quickly & Easily in 4 Simple Steps
While clothing manufacturers can get zippers in any length, zippers only come in limited sizes for people who sew at home. Sometimes, the only zippers you can get are too long and you have to shorten the zipper. If you want to know how to shorten a zipper yourself, this tutorial is for you.
In my previous tutorial, I demonstrated how to sew a sweater with a half zipper, so I decided to create this guide dedicated to this specific sewing skill.
I’ll show you how to shorten a zipper from the bottom and best of all, this technique can help you shorten a zipper to any length you need! This method works for both metal and nylon zippers so let’s get started with this how-to tutorial.
Tools and materials:
- Zipper
- Sewing machine
- Needle and thread
- Twill tape
- Scissors
- Pins
- Pliers (only for metal zippers)
1. Measure
Measure the length of the zipper to the length you need for your garment.
Place a pin to mark that spot on your zipper.
2. Make a new stopper
Using your needle and thread, sew a new stopper at the mark.
You’ll need to sew at least 5 back and forth stitches and tie a good strong knot. Trim the excess thread.
3. Cut the zipper
Cut the zipper leaving about 1 inch or up to 3 cm below the new stopper.
If your zipper has metal teeth, grab your pliers. Carefully grip the metal teeth below the new stopper, get a good hold of them, squeeze, and pull the teeth out. Do this with caution and care!
Do this to both sides of the zipper until the metal teeth are removed up to the stopper. You don’t need to do this with a nylon zipper.
4. Add a fabric stopper
Cut twill tape to this formula: equal to the width of your zipper + 0.5cm (or 0.2 inches) multiplied by 2. If you measure your zipper in inches, add the 0.2 inches. If you measure it in centimeters, add 0.5 cm.
Sew the ends of the twill tape with either a 0.2 inch or 0.5 cm seam allowance.
Turn the stopper out so the seam allowance is on the inside. Trim any excess off and align the twill tape to the zipper end.
Sew the tape to the zipper, carefully sewing below the zipper teeth. Sew across the bottom and the top of the twill stopper.
Snip off any excess threads.
How to shorten a zipper
You’re done! I hope this tutorial on how to shorten a zipper helps you in all your sewing adventures! Let me know in the comments if you tried this method.
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Thank you for sharing this!