Tutorial: Fixing the Length of a Zipper

In my New Year's Resolutions, I decided that this year I am going to make a dent in this:

Oh yeah, that is a pile of 50 zippers that my friend bought me for $1.

48 of the zippers work, and they come in a huge variety of colors.

The problem is that not every zipper is the right color or length for the project I am completing. But that isn't a problem, because there is a way to lengthen or shorten any zipper to fit your project! I am going to show you both ways today.

Note: There are other great ways to lengthen and shorten a zipper.
I am just showing you what I do!

How to Lengthen a Zipper

beware - this is involves some math and planning!

Recently, I was making a zippered clutch (I will be showing you a tutorial on it soon). The length of my fabric was 10.5", but my zipper was only 7.5". I really wanted to use a yellow zipper from the pile. So, I decided to add tabs on either side of my zipper.

When I was sewing this clutch together, I was using a 0.25" seam allowance. This means that the the length of my finished clutch would be 10". That means that I needed to add a total of 2.5" of tabs to my 7.5" zipper to equal 10".

2.5 + 7.5 = 10

A tab goes on either side of the zipper. So the finished size of each tab (because I want each of my tabs to be the same size) is 1.25". In order to have finished edges, I took this number times four. 1.25" x 4 = 5". So I need each tab to be cut 5" long by 1" (because that is the width of the zipper).

I then ironed the tab in half - hamburger style.

I opened it up and brought each edge in to the center crease. I ironed these flat.

I re-ironed the tab in half, so the raw edges are on the inside.

Now, attach the tabs to each end of the zipper. I pinned the tabs on either end so that the folded edges are closest to the zipper. The width of the fabric (in this case, 1") should be the same width as the zipper.

I sewed as close to the zipper as I could (about 1/8") with coordinating thread. After trimming the threads, the length of the zipper with the tabs is 10". Perfect for the clutch I am making.

Note: Your zipper is still the same length, but the tabs allow for you to use the zipper if a larger one is required for your project. Make sure that this is appropriate for your project.

How to Shorten a Zipper

relax - this method takes less math!

Sometimes the zipper you want to use is too long for the project you are sewing.

In this case, we can shorten the zipper to be the right size.

First off, figure out how long you want the zipper to be.

For ease, let's say that we want the zipper to be a finished size of 10".

I make sure the zipper is closed and measure from the top of the pull and make a mark 10" down (I used a piece of tape - where the side closest to the zipper pull is where I want my zipper to end). This is where we want the end of the zipper to be.

Using my sewing machine, I zig-zag back and forth over the zipper right where I made the mark several times.

After I trim the threads, I use scissors and cut the zipper just after the new 'end' (about 1/2" down). I used regular scissors (and not my fabric scissors) because I didn't want them to get dull from cutting through the plastic or metal of the zipper.

So, does anyone else have a lot of zippers that they are going to be using this year? What projects do you have planned?

Feel free to comment or email me with any questions!

Blogs I link to: CraftOManiac, Brassy Apple, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Tip Junkie, Shwin and Shwin, Home Stories A to Z, Creative Itch, Sugar Bee Crafts, Coastal Charm, Not Just a Housewife, Hope Studios, Chef in Training, Mommy By Day Crafter By Night, Southern Lovely, Passionately Artistic, Sew Woodsy, Savvy Southern Style, Ginger Snaps, Someday Crafts, Creations by Kara, Rae Gun Ramblings, Delightful Order, Remodelaholic, Tatertots & Jello, Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring, Simple Home Life, 30 Handmade Days, I Heart Nap Time, Positively Splendid, Nifty Thrifty Things

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