Things You'll Need:
- Needle and thread
- Needle nosed pliers
- Seam rippers
- Straight pins
- Paper clip
- Zipper replacement/New zipper
- Sewing machine
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Step 1
Decide if the zipper needs to be replaced or if it can be repaired. If a tooth is missing from the middle or upper parts of the zipper, it should be replaced.
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Step 2
Zip your zipper up above the damaged tooth of the zipper if the damage is near the bottom. Begin threading a needle and sew stitches around the rows of the teeth tightly right above the missing tooth. By doing this you make a strong new stop for the slider.
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Step 3
Check and see if the zipper is missing a pull tab. If it is missing a pull tab, see if the slider has a hole where the pull tab was attached. If there is a hole, slip a paper clip or safety pin through the hole. This makes a great substitute pull tab. If there is not a hole you can try to use a clamp on pull tab from an old zipper by placing the tab onto the slider using a needle nosed pliers.If the slider is off the track on a metal zipper, carefully rip out the stitching around the lower ends of the zipper tapes. Pry off the metal stop at the bottom of the zipper, being careful not to tear the tapes. Remove the zipper foot entirely.
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Step 4
Guide the track tapes into the grooves of the slider, inserting them into the top and pushing them through the slider to the bottom; use a pin if necessary to work the track tapes through. Pull the tapes carefully so that the slider is evenly seated on the tracks.
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Step 5
When both tapes have been threaded through the slider, carefully pull the slider up until the locked track teeth appear at the bottom. Make sure the slider is evenly seated on the tracks, or the zipper won't close evenly at the top. Sew a new stop at the bottom of the tracks with needle and thread, and repair the stitching that holds the zipper in the garment.
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Step 6
If the zipper is beyond repair, replace it with a new one of the same length. Buy a zipper in a matching color, and be sure it's the right weight and kind for the garment.
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Step 7
With a seam ripper, carefully remove the stitching holding the old zipper in place. As you work, note how the old zipper was put in, and in what order the various lines of stitching were made; pants zippers especially may be put in with several lines of stitching. If a waistband is involved, remove no more stitching than necessary to free the upper ends of the zipper. Remove the old zipper and pull out all loose thread ends.
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Step 8
Following the directions on the zipper package, pin the new zipper into place and stitch it the same way the old zipper was stitched; use a sewing machine with a zipper foot. Make the final topstitching on the outside of the garment, by hand or by machine.
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Step 9
Rip out the stitching carefully around the lower ends of the zipper tapes is the slider is off the track on a metal zipper. Take off the metal stop at the bottom and the zipper foot completely without tearing off the tapes. Next, guide the track tapes into the grooves of the slider by inserting them into the top and pushing through through the slider to the bottom. Have the sliders evenly seated on the tracks.
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Step 10
Carefully pull the slider up until the locked track teeth appear at the bottom when both tapes have been threaded through the slider. When the slider is evenly seated on the tracks, the zipper will close evenly at the top. Sew a new stop at the bottom of the zipper tracks with needle and thread and repair the stitching that holds the zipper in place in the pants.
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Step 11
Replace the zipper completely if it is beyond repair. Buy a zipper that matches the color of the pants and be sure it is the right kind of zipper for the garment. If this step is needed, with a seam ripper, remove the stitching that holds the old broken pants zipper in place. Note how the zipper was put in and repeat by putting in a new zipper. Stitch the new zipper in the same way the old zipper was taken out with a sewing machine or tightly by hand.
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Step 12
With a seam ripper, carefully remove the stitching holding the old zipper in place. As you work, note how the old zipper was put in, and in what order the various lines of stitching were made; pants zippers especially may be put in with several lines of stitching. If a waistband is involved, remove no more stitching than necessary to free the upper ends of the zipper. Remove the old zipper and pull out all loose thread ends.
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Step 13
Following the directions on the zipper package, pin the new zipper into place and stitch it the same way the old zipper was stitched; use a sewing machine with a zipper foot. Make the final topstitching on the outside of the garment, by hand or by machine.
