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Boot Zipper Replacement

Introduction

This guide shows the process of replacing a broken boot zipper.

Broken zippers are a common issue found on daily clothing, especially boots. Over time, zippers can wear out due to regular use. The teeth may become worn, or the slider may lose its grip, leading to malfunction. Sometimes, forcing the zipper when it’s stuck or overloading the boot can also cause the zipper to break, for zippers are designed to handle a certain amount of stress, and exceeding this can lead to damage. Broken zippers lead to the boots seen as unusable and open up the possibility for it to be thrown away.

Therefore, addressing these issues promptly can help extend the life of your boots and prevent the need for more extensive repairs or replacements.

With this guide, we will show how to replace a boot zipper, saving the overall boot and lessening the waste of thrown-out clothing.

What you need

  1. Boot Zipper Replacement, Zipper: step 1, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement, Zipper: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Using a seam ripper, carefully remove the stitching at the top of the boot on either side of the zipper.

    • Only remove enough to free the zipper, about ¾ of an inch.

    Edit

  2. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the stitching on the heel side of the zipper.

    • The stitches on the heel side connect four layers of material: the lining, the zipper underlay, the zipper, and the outer leather.

    • Work between the leather and the zipper by pulling apart the leather and zipper and inserting the seam ripper into the gap.

    Edit

  3. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the stitching on the toe side of the zipper.

    • The stitches on the toe side connect three layers of material: the lining, the zipper, and the outer leather.

    • Work between the leather and the zipper by pulling apart the leather and zipper and inserting the seam ripper into the gap.

    • Set aside the original zipper.

    Edit

  4. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove any leftover thread.

    Edit

  5. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Measure your zipper against the boot.

    • Use a pin to mark how long it should be.

    Edit

  6. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • If your zipper is too long, trim it about an inch below your pin.

    Edit

  8. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Fold down the excess fabric at the top of the zipper twice to create a right angle.

    Edit

  9. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Stitch in place.

    • Use pliers if the fabric is too thick to push the needle through easily.

    Edit

  10. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Pin your new zipper to the outer leather on the heel side.

    • Be careful to put your pins through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

    Edit

  11. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Using a backstitch, sew the zipper to the leather along the inner row of stitching.

    • Be careful to put your needle through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

    Edit

  12. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the toe side of the zipper.

    Edit

  13. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Pin the lining to the zipper and leather on the toe side.

    • Be careful to put your pins through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

    Edit

  14. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Using a backstitch, sew the lining into place along the outer row of stitching.

    • Be careful to put your needle through the existing holes in the leather to avoid damaging the leather further.

    Edit

  15. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Pin the lining and zipper underlay to the zipper and outer leather on the heel side.

    Edit

  16. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Using a backstitch, sew the lining and zipper underlay into place along the outer row of stitching.

    Edit

  17. Boot Zipper Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 Boot Zipper Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • This should be the final outcome after you repair the boot.

    Edit
Finish Line

Author

with 3 other contributors

Alex

Member since: 11/05/24

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1 Guide authored

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Team

UC Davis, Team 4-2, Vidal-Chiesa Fall 2024 Member of UC Davis, Team 4-2, Vidal-Chiesa Fall 2024

UCD-VIDAL-CHIESA-F24S4G2

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