How to Put a Zipper in a Leather Coat

A leather coat is a quality coat that should provide many years of wear. If your zipper begins to wear out long before the leather coat, don't despair. Replacing a zipper is not a difficult project. If you remove your old zipper and sew in a new zipper, you can extend the life of your expensive leather coat for many years to come. Learn how to put a zipper in a leather coat and successfully complete this project.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Zipper
• Sewing machine (with zipper foot)
• Sewing notions (thread, scissors, pins)
• Seam ripper
• Tape measure

1. Remove the entire existing zipper from the leather coat. Both sides of the zipper will need to be replaced. Unzip the coat and expose the underside of the zipper. Carefully use the seam ripper to remove the stitching along the entire length of the zipper edges. Do not cut the leather in this process.

2. Measure the length of the old zipper and purchase a new zipper that is the same length and size. Compare the old zipper to a new zipper to make sure you purchase the correct zipper.

3. Lay the leather coat on a flat work surface and position the zipped zipper along the front openings of the coat. Make certain to line the zipper up perfectly and then pin each side of the zipper to the coat to hold it in place securely.

4. Install the zipper foot onto your sewing machine. Unzip the new zipper and machine stitch one side of the zipper to the leather coat in the same place as the old zipper was. The zipper foot will allow you to position the sewing machine properly so that you can sew right along the edge of the zipper teeth. Take the pins out of this side of the zipper and stitch the other side of the zipper into place on the other side of the leather coat. Remove the pins.

5. Test the zipper by trying on the leather coat and zipping it up and down.