How to fix a broken zipper on jeans

If your jean zipper has broken on your favorite pair, then learn how to fix a zipper on jeans by replacing it with a new zipper.

We all have a favorite pair of jeans. The ones we reach for first and are saved for those special events. The ones that are broken in perfectly and make you feel the best.

I have a favorite pair of jeans that I have worn for years and years, and I keep reaching for. I just love them so much. Unfortunately, the topstitching started coming off, zipper tape wore out and ripped, and the zipper pull came off.

It’s always worth it to replace a zipper instead of buying or making a new pair of jeans especially when your jeans are softened and broken in. They have kind of been molded to your body. Just like it’s worth it to mend a hole in jeans.

When you replace a zipper on jeans you do have to do a fair amount of seam ripping to remove the zipper. The only way to put a new zipper in is to completely remove the old zipper, but it is still easier to replace a zipper in a zipper fly than it is to create a zipper fly from scratch.

This is one of the sewing and alterations you can do yourself!

What is a zipper?

A zipper is two strips of fabric tape with interlocking metal or plastic teeth that are closed or open with a metal or plastic pull or slide. It’s used to fasten clothing and bags.

In this tutorial I use the words “teeth” meaning the interlocking projecting metal or plastic teeth, “zipper tape” meaning the two strips of fabric along each side, and “pull” meaning the slide that connects or disconnects the teeth.

If the zipper still works well but you lost the zipper pull, you can fix a zipper pull that has fallen off. I actually pulled the zipper pull off while I was replacing the zipper in this tutorial, and luckily knew how to put it back on.

Do you love to sew jeans and upcycle? Try one of these sewing projects:

supplies

Jeans with a broken zipper
Jean zipper
Sewing tools
Sewing machine

Seam rip all the stitches from the left side of the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.

Seam rip all the stitches from the right side of the zipper to fully remove the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.

Remove the rest of the topstitching that is keeping the fly in place.

Cut the new zipper to the size of the old zipper.

Pin the left side of the zipper onto the left side of the jeans. The zipper tape will line up with the edge of the fly. Sew the zipper in place.

Pin the left jeans front onto the zipper and topstitch it in place with a zipper foot. The left jeans front will have a creased fold that will guide you.

Here are some tips for sewing denim fabric.

Looking at the jeans from the inside pin the right side of the zipper to the right side of the jeans. You will be pinning the zipper to the back of the fly which should be separated from the jeans front.

Sew two rows of stitching on the zipper tape with a zipper foot. Make sure you’re not catching any fabric when sewing the zipper.

Pin the right zipper and fly to the front of the jeans and redo the fly topstitching.

Redo any topstitching that was removed below the zipper.

Sew the waistband closed with the zipper edge inside with topstitching.

Check to see if your zipper works.

The inside stitching might be a little messy, but nobody will see it.

Jeans with a broken zipper
Jean zipper

Sewing tools
Sewing machine

Seam rip all the stitches from the left side of the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.
Seam rip all the stitches from the right side of the zipper to fully remove the zipper. You will be unpicking the topstitching and the inner stitching.
Remove the rest of the topstitching that is keeping the fly in place.
Cut the new zipper to the size of the old zipper.
Pin the left side of the zipper onto the left side of the jeans. The zipper tape will line up with the edge of the fly. Sew the zipper in place.
Pin the left jeans front onto the zipper and topstitch it in place with a zipper foot. The left jeans front will have a creased fold that will guide you.
Here are some tips for sewing denim fabric.
Looking at the jeans from the inside pin the right side of the zipper to the right side of the jeans. You will be pinning the zipper to the back of the fly which should be separated from the jeans front.
Sew two rows of stitching on the zipper tape with a zipper foot. Make sure you're not catching any fabric when sewing the zipper.
Pin the right zipper and fly to the front of the jeans and redo the fly topstitching.
Redo any topstitching that was removed below the zipper.
Sew the waistband closed with the zipper edge inside with topstitching.
Check to see if your zipper works.
The inside stitching might be a little messy, but nobody will see it.