How to Shorten a Zipper (Tutorial)

Why shorten a zipper? Well there are a few reasons – often you can’t get the exact match of shade and the right length with the correct sized of teeth on the zipper. Rather than ruin a project with an oddly coloured zipper its best to buy one in a longer length and shorten it to your needs. If you are someone who sews a lot its saves time and money to buy zippers when they are on sale. Buy the longer lengths – they are usually exactly the same price as the shorter ones on sale and then you have them in stock at hugely reduced prices and don’t have to go on a special expedition to buy a zipper for a project

Facts about zippers to know before you start:

1. You can use a shortened zipper for almost any project except for when you need a separating zipper – you know the one used often on track suit tops so you leave it open or zip it closed. ( If you want to know more about types of zippers check out our comprehensive article on types of zippers here (insert link to types of zippers))
2. A zipper is measured from the top zipper stop to the bottom zipper stop. The extra tape above and below the zipper stops are not factored into the length.
3. When buying a zipper go by the measurements on the sales tag of the zipper. If you are sorting through a fabric/haberdashery stash with no size tags on the zipper then measure as above.

Know that it will be Murphy’s Law that you probably won’t get the perfect colour match in the correct length – so you will need to shorten a zipper at some point in order to get a project finished. We are going to show you three ways to shorten a zipper. It’s not hard – it just requires a few steps to do it correctly so you aren’t sitting with a zipper pull that slides off the end!

Method 1: Shortening a plastic zipper

Step 1:

Measure and mark the desired length of the zipper. Use a ruler or measuring tape to determine how much you want to shorten the zipper. Mark this measurement on both sides of the front of the zipper tape, so you don’t cut the end skew.

Step 2:

Use your machine or hand stitch to create a new end stopper exactly over the mark where you measured the correct length of the zipper. To do this simply stitch back and forth across the mark using a straight stitch 3 to 4 times, extending beyond the zipper teeth halfway into the tape on either side. Some people use a slight zig-zag, setting the machine so it doesn’t move forward but does multiple stitches across the zipper teeth.

To create an end stopper by hand, double the thread in your needle and stitch small straight stitches across the mark using the bar tack method which means inserting the needle just before the teeth and stitching over the zipper end, bringing out the needle next to the other side of the zipper teeth – do this few times to ensure the zipper slide cannot go below the end stopper you have created.

Step 3:

Move the zipper pull up near the top of the zipper before using sharp scissors to cut off the excess zipper tape at the bottom. Make sure to cut about 1 inch (2.54 cm) below the marked line to ensure a clean and even cut and that you have sufficient tape below where you will create the new end stopper.

Step 4:

Use a lighter or candle flame to carefully melt the cut edges of the zipper tape. This will prevent fraying.

All done – all that remains is to fit your newly shortened zipper into your project.

Method 2: Shortening an Invisible zipper

Follow exactly the same steps as you would to shorten the regular plastic zipper, only this time before you start remember that the teeth on an invisible zipper are towards the back of the tape. Make sure the front side of the zipper is where you mark and create the new end stopper as in steps 1 to 4 above.

Invisible zipper done and dusted – ready to use.

Method 3: Shortening a zipper with metal teeth

This is different because you remove the excess length from the top of the zipper not the bottom as in Methods 1 and 2.

Step 1:

Mark the length you need starting from the end of the zipper stop at the bottom and measuring up towards the top, marking on both sides of the tape so when you cut it isn’t skew.

Step 2:

Before you cut make sure the zipper pull is below where you plan on cutting. Cut the zipper ½ inch (1.27 cm) more than you require  so you can hide the end under the seam. Depending on the size of the zipper teeth you might need wire cutters.

Step 3:

Use a pair of pliers to remove the teeth from the cut end. Grip the teeth firmly with the pliers and twist them back and forth until they come loose. Be careful not to damage the surrounding teeth.

Step 4:

If you are confident use your machine to create a new end stopper exactly over the mark where you measured the correct length of the zipper. Set your machine to a zig-zag that extends beyond the width of the teeth, setting the machine to a 0 stitch length, so it doesn’t move forward but does multiple stitches across the end of the zipper teeth. Be careful not to hit one of the metal teeth otherwise you will break the machine needle.

To create an end stopper by hand, double the thread in your needle and stitch across the mark using the bar tack method which means inserting the needle just before the teeth and stitching over the zipper end, bringing out the needle next to the other side of the zipper teeth – do this few times to ensure the zipper slide cannot go above the end stopper you have created.

If you are using a separating zipper then stitch across only one half of the teeth and then repeat with the other side. The whole point it to make sure the zipper slide doesn’t come off the top of the zipper when you pull it up. Usually you will have a collar attached above the separating zipper or  some binding that will prevent the zipper pull going beyond the end anyway.

Step 5:

Trim any excess thread and test the shortened zipper by sliding it open and closed a few times. Make sure it moves smoothly and locks in place before inserting it into your project.

Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to find a zipper in the right length, size and color to suit a sewing project. We go from shop to shop but often it’s the right color and size teeth but too long, or right length but wrong color. We have a solution – shorten the zipper! It’s not as hard as it sounds. Watch our explanatory visuals and follow our step-by-step instructions with three different methods suited to the majority of type of zippers you may want to use in your projects. Once you know how you will never look back and sew like a pro!

We hope you found the three methods for shortening a zipper useful. If you would like more useful sewing tips and ideas for sewing then please hit the like and subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future projects.