How to Fix a Zipper Without Sewing

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

It’s spring around here so that means put away the winter coats, hopefully for good, and get out the spring coats. Both of my boys have grown this past winter, I needed to go through the D-Man’s old coats for Big-C to wear. I dug up this cute fleece coat and remembered that right around the time D-Man outgrew it the zipper got caught in a door jam. It came apart and I was unable to repair it. That was 2 years ago, now I know how to fix that broken slider.

You won’t need to sew!

That’s the best thing. I thought I was going to have to take out the original zipper and sew in a new one. If that was the case I might of just gotten rid of the whole coat. Instead I figured out a way to fix the broken zipper without needing to replace the entire thing. This little endeavor took me about 5 minutes to finish and was well worth the effort.

The first and most important step

Go on a hunt through your house, you are looking for a slider to put on the existing zipper. Search for another zipper that is similar to the one you are replacing. I looked through my sewing box, I knew I had purchased zippers previously when I was making my son’s sleep sacks. Those zippers were definitely not the right size. Look for the zipper teeth to be the same size and the spacing between the teeth to line up. Hopefully you can find one. I found my in a pile of clothing that was going to be donated.

The only tool you need is a scissors

Once you’ve located the zipper and checked out the size, get our your scissors. You are going to separate the slider from the zipper. This is easily done with a slit cut any where along the zipper line and then just slip the slider off.

Next grab your coat that needs a new slider. Take your time and figure out which side the slider needs to go on and which direction it will face on the zipper. At the top of the zipper make a small cut and fold back the stopper. Place the slider over the slit and slide your zipper on. Don’t be too worried about the zipper sliding off. The slider spends most of it’s time down at the other end and will typically be attached to the whole zipper if it’s at the top. If you are concerned you could place a little material square over the top of the zipper.

Try it a couple times make sure it slides well and engages and disengages with the whole zipper. Prior to putting it on your child, because they squirm when they think they are stuck in a coat.

I hope you enjoyed this little clothing hack on Make it Monday. Come and join me every Monday for a new craft, creation or idea that you can do around your home.