How to Shorten Zippers
Pants, jackets, purses, skirts, dresses and even pillowcases have them: zippers. There are two main types of zippers. Separating zippers come completely apart, such as those found on jackets. Bottom stop zippers, the type found on pants, stay connected at the bottom even when the zipper is completely unzipped. Zippers come in a variety of lengths, but that doesn't mean you will always be able to find the exact right length zipper for your sewing project. You can shorten both separating and bottom stop zippers, however, to make them the exact length you need.
Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Tailor's chalk
- Needle
- Thread
- Scissors
- Nippers or small scissors
- Needle nose pliers
- Zipper stops
Instructions
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Closed Bottom Zippers
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1
Close the zipper.
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2
Measure from the top of the zipper tape down, and make a mark with tailor's chalk on the tape indicating the desired length of the zipper.
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3
Use needle and thread to make a new bottom stop over the teeth of the zipper at the point indicated by the tailor's chalk mark. Whipstitch over the teeth of the zipper to make the new stop. To whipstitch, stick the needle through the zipper tape close to the teeth on one side of the zipper, bring the needle and thread over the top of the teeth to the other side of the zipper, and push the needle and thread through the zipper tape on that side. Repeat this process at least five times.
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4
Cut off the excess zipper length an inch below the new bottom stop.
Separating Zippers
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5
Measure up from the bottom of the zipper. Make a mark indicating the desired length of the zipper on the zipper tape with tailor's chalk.
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6
Pull the zipper slide below the chalk mark.
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7
Remove the teeth of the zipper on both sides starting at the chalk mark and extending an inch above the mark. Use nippers to remove metal or plastic teeth. Use small scissors to snip away coil teeth.
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8
Trim away extra zipper tape on both sides an inch above the chalk mark.
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9
Place new zipper stops at the top of the shortened zipper just above the last tooth on each side. Pinch the stops onto the zipper tape with needle nose pliers.
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1
References
Resources
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