How to prevent a broken zipper in jeans

There are a number of things you can do to prevent your jean zipper breaking.

 1.  When washing the jeans, do the zipper up.

2.  Make sure that you do the button up above the zipper

When you are washing your jeans, if you leave the zipper open then as the clothes agitate in the washing machine, the zip could become caught on other clothes or on the centre section of the bowl.  The zip could pull apart at the bottom.  The reason it may pull apart is because manufacturers use a larger zip that is cut down in size.  They bar tack across the bottom of the zip.  This is not sufficient to protect the zipper from opening.  

Shorten a zipper as follows:

1.  Determine the length you want the zipper

2.  Cut some bias or fabric about 2″/4cm long and 1″/2cm wide

3.  Sew the bias or piece of fabric across the zip just below the required length

4.  Cut the zip 1/8th”/1/2cm below the stitch line, working the scissors between the teeth (don’t use good scissors for this) 

5.  Fold the bias or fabric over the cut section and stitch across the zip again.

You have now completely enclosed the cut section of the zip.  This will do two things:

1.  Protect the zip from pulling apart where it was shortened

2.  The bias or fabric will mean that the zip will not cause any uncomfortable scratching when you are wearing the zip.

 Happy Sewing

 Judith aka Genie