How to Fix a Broken Slide on a Zipper on a Jacket

Zipper repair is a quick fix and can save your damaged jacket.

Zippers are the most commonly used mechanism to connect two separate pieces of fabric. Jackets often use them to close the front to completely enclose the wearer. The slider is that component of a zipper that is grasped by the hand when "sliding" the zipper up and down. Sometimes, after extended use or external damage, the slider can become disconnected from the zipper tracks rendering the zipper useless. Instead of throwing the jacket out, it is more efficient to repair the zipper yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Sewing scissors
• Thick thread
• Sewing needle

Instructions

1. Pry off the metal stop located at the bottom of the zipper track. This may require some fair amount of twisting and pulling for removal.

2. Run the zipper to the end of the teeth where the stop has been removed. Do not remove the zipper from the track.

3. Pass the end of the disconnected track through the zipper connector. Push the track into the zipper until it locks. Use the pliers to gently squeeze the zipper closed around the track to help secure it within the zipper.

4. Straighten out the tracks so that neither track is bunched up. Ensure that the teeth are locking by running the zipper up and down a bit.

5. Thread the needle with some thread and sew around the area where the stopper was located previously. Sew around and around this area about half a dozen times to ensure the zipper doesn't fall off the end of the track. Tie a knot with the thread on the inside of the zipper.

6. Pull the zipper to the top then back to the bottom to check your work. If it gets stuck or becomes disconnected, remove the stitching and retry.

References

• How Any: How to Repair Zipper