Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Remove zipper teeth to get the slider back on
• Part 2 of 2: Applying topstops and square tabs
• Necessities

When the slider comes off a zipper completely, it seems impossible to fix it. However, there is an easy way to get the slider back on your zipper. All you need is a pair of pliers and a pair of "top stops" or a square tab, and you'll have your zipper back to work in no time!

To step

Part 1 of 2: Remove zipper teeth to get the slider back on

1. If yours is damaged, buy a new slider. If the slider is broken and not working properly, you will need to buy a new one. You can buy a new slider at a textile store.
   • For best results, get a replacement slider that is the same size and style as the old one. Bring the old one to compare.
   • You can also purchase a zipper repair kit at most hobby stores. This contains everything you need to replace the slider and add top stops or a square tab if necessary. Otherwise, you will have to buy the replacement slider and the tabs or top stops separately.
2. Using pliers, pull the teeth off the end of the zipper. To get the slider back on, you need to expose some of the fabric at the end of the zipper. Pull the teeth of the zipper off one by one with pliers. Continue to remove teeth until you have exposed about 5cm to 7.6cm of the fabric.
   • To get the slider back on, expose as little dust as possible. If you have a large slider, this will be close to three inches. If you have a little one, an inch or two may be enough for you.
   • Before you pull the teeth, check the position of the zipper. When the zipper is open, you need to pull the teeth off the bottom of the zipper. When the zipper is closed, you need to pull off the teeth at the top of the zipper.
   • Make sure to expose the same amount of fabric on both sides of the zipper. If the sides are uneven, you may not be able to put the slider back on.
3. Work the slider back onto the fabric. The direction of the slider depends on whether the zipper was open or closed when the slider came off.
   • If the zipper was open, slide the slider upside down on the fabric so that the slider is facing away from the zipper.
   • If the zipper was closed, slide the slider right side up on the fabric so that the slider is facing the zipper.
4. Pull the sides of the zipper above the slider. To pull the zipper from the fabric part of the zipper to the zipper part of the zipper, pull on both sides of the fabric above the zipper. This creates tension and moves the slider towards the teeth of the zipper.
   • Keep pulling until you feel a click. This indicates that the zipper is back on the teeth.
5. Test the zipper after putting the slider back on. Try moving the zipper up and down a few times to see how it works. When the zipper is back on the teeth of the zipper, it should zip up and down easily. If things are skewed or won't move, you may have to try again.
   • Make sure you don't unzip the zipper again before securing the end with a new top stop or a square tab.

Part 2 of 2: Applying topstops and square tabs

1. Consider whether top stops or square lips are best. After removing some teeth from your zipper, you will need to replace some of the teeth with a top stop and / or a square tab to prevent your slider from coming off the zipper again. Top stops are small pieces that fit on one side of your zipper. Square tabs are larger pieces that bridge the zipper and prevent the zipper from coming down on both sides while covering the gap between the sides of the zipper.
   • Top stops are best for the top of your zipper, as they prevent the slider from coming off, but they will not prevent you from opening and closing the zipper.
   • Square tabs (also known as bottom stops) are best for the bottom of a zipper because they prevent the zipper from loosening and because they bridge the gap in the zipper that is left with the missing teeth.
2. Attach a top stop to the zipper with pliers. If you want to add a top stop to prevent your slider from hitting the oven side of the zipper, place the top stop directly above the first tooth at the top of your zipper. To do this, the zipper must be slightly open. After you've placed the top stop, use the pliers to squeeze it into place.
   • Make sure the top stop is snug and doesn't move or come off when you pull it.
   • Place a top stop on both sides of the zipper to stop the slider from running off.
3. Press the points on the sides of the square tab into place. If you want to use a square tab to close the opening at the bottom of a zipper, take the square tab and push the points on both sides of the zipper through the fabric. Pierce the ends right under the bottom teeth of the zipper. Make sure the zipper is closed when you do this. After piercing the ends, turn the garment or fabric over and bend the ends of the ends inward with the pliers.
   • Make sure to squeeze the tips well so that the tab is secure and the teeth are flat. It's important that the tips are flat so they don't catch on anything or scratch your skin.
4. Ready.

Necessities

• Slider of a zipper
• Tang
• Measuring tape
• Topstops (to secure the top of the zipper)
• Square tabs (to secure the bottom of the zipper)