Replacing Zipper in Pants

This is how I replaced the broken zipper in my son's pants.
Whether it's 'wrong' or 'right', when it comes to sewing, sometimes what matters is the end results.
TIME STAMPED:
Part 1 Removing old zipper (0:46)
Part 2 Installing new zipper (5:57)
Quick tip (20:43)
I realized after I finished this video I forgot to show two small things. Both times, someone was walking into room which distracted me.
1: re-attaching inside flap near button hole. Since it is a short stitch line, hand tacking this would be very simple.
2. replacing the secure 'stops' in the flaps. This is easily done by matching marks left from removing old ones and making small and short zig-zag stitches to secure.
****My other sewing videos****
Manual for Presser Feet: • Manual for Presser Feet
52 Piece Presser Foot Kit: Part 1 Identification: • 52 Piece Presser Foot ...
52 Piece Presser Foot Kit: Part 2 - DEMO 1: • 52 Piece Presser Foot ...
52 Piece Presser Foot Kit: Part 2 - DEMO 2: • 52 Piece Presser Foot ...
Invisible Zipper Foot: • 52 Piece Presser Foot ...
Sewing KNITS with the knit foot • 52 Piece Presser Foot ...
How to Make Cinch Sacks: • How to Make Cinch Sacks
Replacing zipper in pants • Replacing Zipper in Pants
Beads and Rhinestones: • 52 Piece Pressure Foot...
Sewing Sequin: • 52 Piece Pressure Foot...
Buttonholes: • Buttonholes - Multiple...
Sewing Tools: • Sewing Tools
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****** PRODUCT LINKS *******
Janome: unavailable (not all the feet in the 52 piece set will work on this machine but I'm liking this machine so far)
52 piece presser foot set: amzn.to/3eiVTcG
62 piece presser foot set: amzn.to/3fjj0oN
3Pcs Narrow Rolled Hem Sewing Machine Presser Foot: amzn.to/2VvYN7i
Sleeve board: amzn.to/2YEYHw7
Tailor ham: amzn.to/3i6XBAX
Pick it up mitt: amzn.to/3ibnOhy
Blocking mats: amzn.to/3dGCf9W
Dress dummy: amzn.to/327DGfG
6.5 x 24” acrylic ruler: amzn.to/3i77WwE
Quilter temples: amzn.to/2NCypEc
Square quilters rulers: amzn.to/2Vpt9s0
Rotary cutter: amzn.to/388G8U6
Scissors: amzn.to/31pucMu
Binder clips: amzn.to/3eAvN5I
Sewing clips: amzn.to/2Nywssn
Clamps: amzn.to/3eFVcuV
Hair clips: amzn.to/2NE8DPS
Pattern weights: amzn.to/389WsUo
Magnetic pin wand: amzn.to/2VlnhzW
Tag gun: amzn.to/3g2vuku
Leather rivet set: amzn.to/384Uu80
Grommet set: amzn.to/2BHxCPU
Triangle Tailor's Chalk Markers: amzn.to/2NHAnDs

[@sandythornton5166]

This is the BEST video ever for teaching how to put in a zipper!!! I DID IT!!! I am so excited!!! The zipper in my favorite pair of black pants broke and I had no idea how to replace one! I'm so glad I found your video!! You are an excellent teacher because first of all you explain things so well but also because you don't add a lot of unimportant information that just confuses people, well me anyway! I do know how to sew as I'm a quilter and make table runners and do hand sewing but I know nothing about garment sewing or mending which is a whole different thing!! I have tried to mend things before and ended up throwing them away out of frustration but after watching this I really felt confident I could do it and I did!!! I put my laptop on one side of the table and set up my sewing machine on the other and went back and forth for three hours!!! That was the fastest three hours in history!!! Haha!!! When I went in and tried my slacks on and the zipper worked perfectly I actually squealed!! Haha!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I am 61 and so excited to still be learning new things!! Again, thank you!!!

[@QueenBee1755]

I think I get as happy about people leaving comments letting me know it helped them just about as much as you enjoyed fixing your zipper! Thank you so much for your comment and I'm very happy to know the video helped you!

[@bajoobiecuzican]

You’re a marvelous teacher ❤. I love that you don’t do a bunch of unnecessary talking.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you!

[@priscillalartey1793]

You are an excellent teacher honestly. Very detailed and clear

[@judybullis679]

I like your calm, patient delivery. and your attention to detail, explaining how to adjust the fabric, and the zipper as you were working. Thank you for a very helpful video.

[@user-br9on4nw7d]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. You were very easy to follow and you made replacing my zipper so easy!

[@QueenBee1755]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pearltwixieramsingh7877]

I never thought in my life i would have seen a video like this , my dear i'm a slow learner and i cannot learn from a school or teacher this video is perfect , i did put on a new zipper on a suit pants and i feel so proud of myself, beleive me it took me a month to learn it, thanks to you, i appreciate what you do , i am happy.

[@QueenBee1755]

I'm so glad it helped and you were able to do the replacement! I love teaching people things and I'm always happy to hear when it does help. Thanks for the comment!

[@kathleensimpson2046]

A friend of mine asked me if I could fix his trouser zipper. The next day I stumbled upon this tutorial. Serendipity at it purest. 🙂

[@farzanehjafari1242]

You taught the best of all videos that I have ever seen.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you!

[@leah1122ify]

This worked great! First time replacing a zipper, you made me so successful. Thanks!

[@QueenBee1755]

Fantastic! Really glad it helped!

[@Obsidian_Iris_]

This is one of, if not THE best tutorials on how to replace a closed-ended zipper in a pair of pants on KZbin. I need to replace a closed-ended, invisible zipper that won’t likely be nearly this detailed, but watching this not only showed how me how to get started, it made me confident I can do it. Thank you so much!

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you so much! I also have a video for invisible zippers.

[@katflowers5419]

It's been a long time since I replaced a zipper. Your video really helped me, thank you

[@fabcraftsandmore]

This was so helpful! My son had a pair of perfectly good work pants that the zipper broke on and I was able to fix them for him! Saved us $50+!!

[@QueenBee1755]

That's awesome! Thanks for leaving the reply!

[@briarwoodimp]

I have procrastinated a full year replacing a zipper for my father on his only pair of dress slacks, for fear of mucking it up badly. Having butchered the job on a pair of my own pants many years back, despite being a decent sewist otherwise, I have taken zipper jobs to a tailor ever since. Sadly, my small town no longer has anyone doing alterations and mending professionally, so it had to be me. Dad, I should mention, can and does sew things like tarps for boat covers, but this was beyond him. Thank you so much for this video! Not only were the steps easy to follow, but your pants were so nearly identical in every way, down to the color, that my neuro-interesting brain had nothing to snag on and stall out. Now, assuming Dad hasn't been late night noshing on ice cream for the last year, these should look good as new on him. Whew!

[@QueenBee1755]

That's wonderful to hear! I really glad that the video helped you. And thank you so much for the wonderful comment!

[@rhondaelliott1004]

Thank you this is just what I needed

[@ruthhurley800]

I replaced a zipper on a pair of motorcycle pants for my son-in-law who is a reserve police officer who escorts funerals. It is the first time I have ever attempted this in the 60 years I have been sewing. Your video helped immensely. Thank you. (Also everyone please be cautious when you see an officer escorting a funeral. Last year he was knocked over on his motorcycle totaling it and ruining his side arm and helmet. Thankfully he walked away with terrible road burns and aches and pains.)

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank him for his service for me! And so glad it help. :)

[@KohAnn-pl3cv]

I love your demo, is very very clear and easy to follow .. thank you

[@ruthrusch581]

This is a brilliant video and explained by a brilliant teacher. Some videos are shown so fast I have to run them many times. . I've been knitting, sewing and crocheting since I was 8 years old taught to me by my mother. I'm now 74 and always still learning. I've replaced zippers many times in my own clothes, but would send my husband's zipper replacements to another dressmaker. I can't thank you enough for explaining in a well thought out and well presented video. Thank you once again, Chana R

[@deb1120]

Thank you for taking the time to instruct so thoroughly!

[@ImTash]

i just bought a fab pair of vintage pants today and the zip has gone and needs replacing. i had no idea where to start even pulling the thing out this is SO clear i feel like i can actually do it now, with a lot of pausing and rewinding but this is a brilliant tutorial thank you

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you so much! And I'm very glad it helped.

[@yvonnestalteri7165]

Thank you for showing me how to replace a zipper! I saved a pair of shorts with a broken zipper for about 5 years. Well I finally decided to replace the zipper and this morning. Job complete thanks to your tutorial I did it! This is the easiest and best tutorial I have used so far, thank you again you are a "shorts saver"!

[@QueenBee1755]

I'm so glad it helped! Thank you for commenting!

[@shazz18]

Such a great tutorial. Your explanation of each step and speed is perfect. I have never sewn a zipper in my life and it did it. So proud of myself. Could not have done it without your step-be-step guide. I hope you got some dinner😊

[@QueenBee1755]

So glad it helped! And thank you for commenting! LOL! I eventually did.

[@shazz18]

Queen bee, After getting the zipper in my pants I have been attempting to re-sew the waistband but am having trouble getting a “hidden” line of stitches. I don’t have a “Stitch-in-the-Ditch presser foot (my Singer is almost 40 years old and I can’t find one that fits my machine) and have really been struggling. Do you have any advice? Hand sew it? Use a very small straight stitch and try to get it close by pulling the left side fabric taught? I’ve undone my attempts several times and am about to give up. Thanks.

[@QueenBee1755]

@shazz18 Stitch-in-the-ditch is more tricky on some fabrics than others. Don't give up! I've had to pull and re-do stitches multiple times. Before I had a special foot for doing it, here are some different things I did: * gently pull the fabric snuggly to the sides to open the seam line * hold open seam and pin crosswise to hold fabric out of the way * go slow on the machine, sometimes even hand crank the wheel in the more tricky spots * when all else fails, hand-stitch On many items over the years, I have learned that hand-stitching, in the long run, was the fastest way for a nice look compared to using a sewing machine. Also, don't shorten the stitch length for stitch-in-the-ditch. The outcome is usually not very good.

[@shazz18]

Queen bee, thank you very much for the encouragement and detailed tips to finish the stitching in the waistband. I realized after reading your answer that the fabric has some stretch in it and I was ending up with a downhill stitch line aka crooked. Going slower and pulling the fabric evenly and pinning it really helped. Thank you so much.

[@QueenBee1755]

You're welcome!

[@WallyB_]

Great Video. I learned a lot and one of the best things I learned is there is a special zipper presser foot, and it's has two positions left and right. I had a few pressers in the toolkit. Once I switched to the Zipper presser things went like a charm. Many thanks!

[@erminesmart6034]

I love the pace of the instructions which made it easy to understand. Very clear instructions great tutorial.

[@renatakimmerly6497]

I am going to try it. My first men's pants zipper replacement - you are very good at explaining it. You make us think WE CAN. Thank you !

[@emmaleblanc2667]

Awesome job & video . The explanation is easy to understand. Thanks so much !

[@patriciaannettearhinson693]

Very well done tutorial, good pace and I was able to see clearly all you did,thanks so much,I am new to sewing but feel like I could actually tackle this task now!

[@suziebuttons]

I did it! Not perfect, but pretty, PRETTY good. Thank you so much and cheers to your hubby for checking on you ;)

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you for letting me know if helped! I very much enjoying hearing from people! And LOL, I'll tell him.

[@runninrob7922]

Thank you for the tutorials, as I need to replace the zipper on a pair of shorts. Will give it a shot once the zipper I ordered arrives. Thanks again!

[@marybradley168]

QueenBee1755 another great video! I like how you are so thorough on your explanations and how you zoom in on your work to show up close on where to sew. You are a GREAT teacher. Appreciate all of your time and expertise that you put into your videos. Thank you. Take care. Mary

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you so much! I've watched a lot of videos where you can't see anything they are doing. So I tried to address that, because otherwise, I feel it's useless as a teaching tool.

[@pennyguiberteau5343]

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to see. I am working on the same pair of pants for a friend. Your explanations were very clear and I really appreciate the close-up camera work. Your detailed instructions were very helpful!

[@dexter1097]

Easy to follow. I was able to replace my first zip. Thank you from Australia

[@miahanning8115]

Thank you. You have given me the confidence to try and do it.

[@donnam3841]

Was dreading replacing a zip in my grandson's school shorts, but your video was so easy to follow and the finished job looked good. Thank you.

[@QueenBee1755]

Glad it helped! And thank you for commenting!

[@PBCowgirl66]

Excellent video! You can see clearly what to do and she’s very thorough. I’m brave enough to attempt it now.

[@PBCowgirl66]

I just replaced a zipper in my son’s tailored pants. It was a bit of a challenge because at his house, they have a sewing machine but no zipper foot. It wasn’t as neatly done as the tutorial here. But it worked and I never would have attempted it without seeing this first!

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you for the update! I'm very glad to hear that the tutorial helped you. I know zippers can seem a little daunting, esp. without a zipper foot.

[@davidbrown9017]

Well done and straightforward. Thanks!

[@cheshkat6321]

I watched with fascination and curiosity. However I don't think I have your patience and fortitude to tackle something as tedious as this. Your family should be calling you Wonder Woman! I would not dare to make a video of me doing this because it would probably be filled with "bleep" and "bleep" and "bleep bleep bleep" and the family would think I was a different person, or thing. Hahaha.

[@QueenBee1755]

LOL! Thank you :)

[@sueharris5880]

Brilliant video well filmed. I have learnt so much.

[@marilynpeach7905]

Thank you. Very clear and easy to see

[@sewitseams2769]

Extremely impressive! Thanks for your in-depth video of how to replace a zipper in a pair of men's slacks/pants.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thanks for watching!

[@doreenludwig7380]

They !loo! so professional. Very well taught. I need to fix my husband's dress pants. Hope I can do as well.

[@kimjay2380]

This is a great video, thank you, I’m so glad I’ve found it. Really clear, well filmed, and relaxing instructions. Really really good - I’m now subscribed!

[@janellestevens4015]

Excellent, thank you for this video!

[@christineblake107]

I love the detail of this video

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you!

[@katybrown3943]

Thank you so so much for this video! Just managed to change the zipper in a pair of shorts, thought I'd get in a real muddle, but your video kept me right on track. It was paced just right and although my shorts were made differently, it gave me a method that I could adapt to my garment. The best thing - removing the zipper foot to get round the tab! Love little tips like that! Thanks! x

[@QueenBee1755]

I'm glad I could help! Thanks for commenting!

[@legonrobinson8561]

The information was very informative and useful to me thank you.

[@ophir10]

Thank you. This is a really helpful video. It breaks every step down so well.

[@QueenBee1755]

You're welcome! And thank you and thanks for watching!

[@louised7]

Thanks very well explained, your work is very neat.

[@RealDapperDude]

Hi Bee, Thanks for posting this. Those are most nearly like my khaki trousers. They're foreign-made, and QC isn't too keen. The zipper is the right length (I hope) but it was set with the top end being about a 1/2" short of the waistband. I plan to remove it and reset it. Either I'll try it (my first zipper, lots of button flies), or take it local. Thanks. BTW, that sticky roller is the best idea I've seen in weeks.

[@QueenBee1755]

Good luck with your project! I always feel great after completing a new task for the first time. And I love my sticky rollers! LOL

[@rosemaryevans6900]

Thankyou I,m loving watching you and learning

[@Bdady74]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you!

[@lynnkillion3681]

An excellent video! Thank you!

[@robinleverettedardy5034]

Great tips

[@yanzhang2042]

Thank you, now I can try to do it.

[@mrs.allenspattycake9676]

Love this thank you.

[@DetectIQsmarter]

thank you very helpful blessings to you :)

[@pearltwixieramsingh7877]

Hey i enjoyed watching this video, i'm so happy to have found you , thank you so much ,

[@janomalley]

Excellent video - thanks!

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you!

[@carolesmith9093]

Excellent video, thank you

[@dee4174]

This is why our local repair shop charges £15 to replace a zipper!

[@QueenBee1755]

They can take time!

[@daphneblake7889]

RESPECT!

[@LorenzoTheLeo]

W😊W.....That Was A Really Good Pant-Zipper-Repair Video! Thanks A Lot For Another Great Tutorial.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you!

[@Hovhhjj]

Thanks mam its awesome

[@Iamnot4Sure]

I hate replacing zippers, will you do them for me. Well it was wishful thinking but anyways it takes me forever to replace zippers.

[@QueenBee1755]

LOL, I know what you mean. It took me awhile to get comfortable with them. Sometimes it's easier putting zipper on 2 separate pieces of fabric before joining the fabric together. Or just practicing on scrap fabric with a basting stitch.

[@Iamnot4Sure]

@@QueenBee1755 yes I think that’s the easiest way but like you said not all zippers are put on the same.

[@sandywilkerson8525]

The Best video!! Subscribed to your channel.😊

[@susandickson9869]

Impressive! Replacing a zipper in ready to wear pants has been THE mending job that I took to a professional. I would tackle anything else except that. Now I want to get a pair of pants from the thrift store to deconstruct and practice on. I kept thinking how I would have gotten flustered and thrown in a few cuss words - but you have such a relaxing voice and thorough presentation that I am confident I will be able to keep my cool too. You are teaching this 'old dog new tricks'. Thank you. BTW: What sewing machine are you using? The control panel looks exactly like my Baby Lock Decorator's Choice. 'She' will be 16 in October and is currently in for her first ever repair - a broken gear. 😢 I get very attached to my machines that have proven to be faithful workers. I currently own 3 plus a Baby Lock Imagine serger. The others are a Bernina 930 and a Singer Genie 353. I am seriously considering adding a cover-stitch machine to my crew, but am working on using a twin needle to keep the impulse to buy at Bay for now. Thank you for all of your excellent, and diverse, videos! You are a very talented young woman.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you so much! I understand the 'getting attached'. I put mine thru so much abuse when on a job, I know what they can do. The main machine I use in the videos is a Brother PC-420 which is discontinued. I just bought a Janome but not all the feet in this set fits it. I've been wanting a cover-stitch for a long time but can't justify the cost yet. I have started making another video about the tools I use, which was a request from another viewer, but stuff keeps coming up. Life can be sooo busy!

[@liletteautrey8481]

Perfect well done, thanks for sharing , very interesting.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thank you! And thank you so much for watching!!

[@dee4174]

Brilliant. Like and subscribed

[@Blackair17]

Thank you :-)))

[@sums.s.gchinnu1043]

Thank you very much very usefull video

[@anisayasmeen9339]

Weldone

[@surjitgabria7251]

Excellent work

[@QueenBee1755]

Thanks!

[@wendynicholss6886]

Can I just remind people to be really careful when you use a seam ripper!!!I just ripped a pair of my dad's trousers with a seam ripper. I would use smalls scissors in the future. Thankfully they were my dad's!!!!!

[@QueenBee1755]

Very very true! New seam rippers can go through fabric, and fingers, like butter.

[@emmanix6317]

Seems like a lot of work if it was me they would be safety pinned together lol

[@QueenBee1755]

LOL

[@maxinejoie6615]

I knew this is an old video but since the 1st time I saw one of your video about the 52 piece pressure foot kit I started loving all videos.. I am trying to find if you have a video on how to use the type sewing machine you had on your videos. I am planning to buy one for me but I am scared to use it because I don't have any experience at all with this type of sewing machine. It's awkward but the truth is my experience about sewing was from the very old manual singer machine.

[@QueenBee1755]

Thanks for watching! I used the same machine in each of my sewing vids so far. What kind of video are you looking for? I'm planning on starting a new video within the next 2 weeks now that I'm home and the holidays are over. This one is a Brother and has worked well for me. It has a LOT of run hours on it as I used it for work purposes as well. I now have a Janome which I also love. Some of the feet in the set also works with the Janome but some don't.

[@sewfab7805]

What do you charge to replace a zipper? You buy the zipper, rip out old zipper and sew the new one in. Lots of work. What do you charge your clients? Thx.

[@QueenBee1755]

I honestly haven't even thought about what I would charge. Depending on what the zipper is in, and how it's in, could make a big difference in how much time it would take. I sew as a profession, but not in that way. Thank you for watching!

[@sewfab7805]

@@QueenBee1755 Thx.

[@conniemoody5063]

What if that zipper shield is fused down? Do I sew through all layers? Does not look good!

[@QueenBee1755]

There is a lot of variables in that situation. Sometimes, if heat fused on cotton or natural fabrics, appling an iron to it then slowly peeling open can work, but not always. Depending on the design of the garment, replacing that section might be required. If no teeth on the zipper are missing, pull tabs can be easily replaced without replacing whole zipper. Sewing thru all layers would not look good as you said. But there is also the option of a 'false' zipper cover being placed over it if you can get similar fabric. I hope that helps.

[@conniemoody5063]

@@QueenBee1755 thank You

[@rollandjoeseph]

Much respect, way too involved for me, ill buy a new pair..lol

[@QueenBee1755]

LOL I think most do. Thanks for watching!

[@ElviraSongalla]

almost tanggalin lahat ng areas kaya pla mahal singil niyan

[@DedeSews]

Comments anyone on how much to charge to replace a zipper like this?

[@QueenBee1755]

I charge a minimum of $25 for pant zippers but may be more depending on style.

[@Billy-gm6cg]

how much charge

[@QueenBee1755]

depends on the job and right now I can only do local work

[@erikahigginson8555]

What’s the noise on the video

[@QueenBee1755]

This was an audio lesson for me. In the video before this, I bought a mic. but could only afford the most inexpensive. My sewing room is right next to the air system in basement and I forgot to turn the air off while filming. Between the cheap mic. (which I've thrown away) and the air system on, the sound was awful. I'm sorry for that.