How to Shorten a Zipper

A plastic zipper that is too long can be shortened by sewing stitches to form a new bottom stop, then cutting the excess zipper below that point.

Things You'll Need

• Zipper
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors

Instructions

Shortening a Zipper

1. With the zipper closed, measure from the top of the teeth down to the point where you want your zipper to stop. Mark the point with a pencil.

2. Set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch, wide enough to stitch over the coil of the zipper.

3. Stitch over the zipper at your pencil mark, taking a few stitches forward and a few back, three or four times. Cut the long threads.

4. Cut across the zipper half an inch below your stitches using scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the width of your zig-zag stitch before sewing over the zipper, as sewing into the coil can damage the needle.