Today, I’m going to help you learn something it took me years to have the courage to do. I’m going to show you How To Easily Replace A Zipper On Jeans! I wanted to wear a pair of jeans I loved but the zipper was broken, so decided to figure it out and save my favorite pair! One of the worst things is having a pair of jeans you really love the fit of – but the zipper is giving up on, well, staying up. Even worse if one of the teeth on the zipper breaks and then you’re stuck with not being able to get it zipped at all. It doesn’t have to be a tragedy, though. Turns out, it’s super easy to replace a zipper on jeans without risking the whole fit or look of the jeans. Which is the point, right?! If you can’t fix the jeans without messing up the look and fit, then why do it?! When you’re choosing the zipper, I would recommend that you first measure the zipper in your jeans. Every pair of jeans, it feels like, is a unique cut on the waist and even if I told you the length of my zipper, 9 times out of 10, your jeans would have a different length zipper than mine. So, before you go buying a zipper, you’ll want to remove the zipper in your jeans, measure it, then buy a replacement that’s an equal length.
As far as the thread, I’d recommend using a jean-rated thread. While you may not realize it, jeans get a lot more stress put on them than pants made with other fabrics. Because jeans are typically made in a woven method, which doesn’t allow for a lot of stretch. So you want a thread that’s going to stand up to those extra stresses – and double your seams, as noted in the instructions below. You will also want to select a thread that blends in with the thread used on your jeans. I used blue and white so you can see it (and it’s noticeably different from the original hems) for the photos. But when you are selecting a thread for your project, I recommend looking at the thread used on your jeans to make a match, if possible.
What You’ll Need:
- Jeans with a faulty zipper
- Replacement zipper
- Matching Thread
- Seam ripper
- Iron
- Pins
- Scissors
- Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
- Measuring tape
- Thread nippers
- Sewing machine
You’re going to want a pair of sharp scissors, a sewing machine, pins and needles, a ruler or fabric tape measure, and a seam ripper. I used a sewing machine because I already had it out for another project. But you could sew this by hand very easily.
How To Easily Replace A Zipper On Jeans
As I said before, the first step on how to easily replace a zipper on jeans is to determine the size zipper you need. Remove the zipper from your jeans with the seam ripper, taking care not to cut anything except for the threads holding the zipper in place.
Using the removed zipper, measure the length of the zipper and procure one of an equal length for the replacement.
Open the replacement zipper and fit one side of the jean opening into the position in which the previous zipper was affixed. Pin it in place, starting at the top. I chose to start with the inside side of the jeans.
Now we will begin to sew our new zipper in place. Following the outside hem line previously used on the original zipper, sew a hem parallel with the zipper, removing the pins as you sew. Take care to go back and forth at the beginning and end of all of your seams to keep them from unraveling.
Turn the jeans and run a seam along the bottom of the zipper, below the zipper “stop”.
Turn the jeans once more and run a second seam between the zipper and the seam parallel to the zipper that you previously ran. This second seam will help keep the zipper flat and not bunch up when worn.
Next on this zipper replacement tutorial, with the zipper still open and working on the other side of the jean opening (I was working with the front side of the jeans), fit the loose side of the zipper in place and pin it, starting at the top. We are about halfway through learning how to easily replace a zipper on jeans.
Following the outside hem line previously used on the original zipper, sew a hem parallel with the zipper, removing the pins as you sew. Take care to go back and forth at the beginning and end of all of your seams to keep them from unraveling.
Turn the jeans and run a seam along the top of the zipper, above the zipper “stop”.
Turn the jeans once more and run a second seam between the zipper and the seam parallel to the zipper that you previously ran.
Turn the jeans and close them. Run a seam along the bottom of the zipper flap below the zipper stop in order to help hold the flap closed. Then your zipper replacement is complete.
Now you know how to easily replace a zipper on jeans! This is just such a fast and easy project, I can’t tell you how excited I am to have breathed new life into my favorite jeans. I mean, it was going to be so tragic when I had to stop wearing them – and I was getting really tired of having to constantly check my zipper. Honestly, this is a relief. LOL!
If you liked learning how to easily replace a zipper on jeans, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Easily Replace A Zipper On Jeans
Quickly and easily replace a broken zipper on your favorite pair of jeans, You'll feel like a pro and save money while doing it.
Materials
- Jeans with a faulty zipper
- Replacement zipper
- Matching Thread
Tools
Instructions
- Before purchasing your replacement zipper, remove the zipper from your jeans with the seam ripper, taking care not to cut anything except for the threads holding the zipper in place.
- Using the removed zipper, measure the length of the zipper and procure one of an equal length for the replacement.
- Open the replacement zipper and fit one side of the jean opening (I chose to start with the inside side of the jeans) into the position in which the previous zipper was affixed. Pin it in place, starting at the top.
- Following the outside hem line previously used on the original zipper, sew a hem parallel with the zipper, removing the pins as you sew.
- Turn the jeans and run a seam along the bottom of the zipper, below the zipper “stop”.
- Turn the jeans once more and run a second seam between the zipper and the seam parallel to the zipper that you previously ran.
- With the zipper still open and working on the other side of the jean opening (I was working with the front side of the jeans), fit the loose side of the zipper in place and pin it, starting at the top.
- Following the outside hem line previously used on the original zipper, sew a hem parallel with the zipper, removing the pins as you sew.
- Turn the jeans and run a seam along the top of the zipper, above the zipper “stop”.
- Turn the jeans once more and run a second seam between the zipper and the seam parallel to the zipper that you previously ran.
- Turn the jeans and close them.
- Run a seam along the bottom of the zipper flap below the zipper stop in order to help hold the flap closed.
- Your zipper replacement is complete.
Recommended Products
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