How to Sew a Zipper Stop

Shorten a long zipper to get more out of your sewing stash.

Sometimes you need to finish a project quickly, and the only zipper you have on hand is one that is too long for the job. It's possible to shorten a zipper when you can't get one that is exactly the length you need.

Things You'll Need

• Zipper
• Tape measure
• Tailor's chalk
• Sewing needle and thread

Instructions

1. Measure the opening in your sewing project where you will fit the zipper.

2. Use this measurement to measure the closed zipper starting at the pull tab and measuring along the length.

3. Mark the zipper with tailor's chalk at the measured point along its length.

4. Sew over the closed zipper teeth at the point you marked. You can do this by hand by pushing your needle down through the fabric of the zipper on one side of the teeth, and bringing the needle up through the fabric on the other side of the teeth, or you can use a sewing machine on the zigzag setting with the stitch width set to wide enough to clear the teeth and the stitch length set as short as possible.

5. Make at least 10 stitches in the same place to create a strong zipper stop. If you are using a sewing machine, you may need to hold the zipper in place, so it is not fed through the machine.

6. Cut your zipper to length 1/2-inch beyond your stitches.

Tips & Warnings

• You can give the stitches extra strength by painting over them with clear nail polish, or by dabbing on a spot of craft glue.

• Make sure your sewing machine stitch width is wide enough to clear the width of the zipper teeth otherwise you may break your sewing machine needle.