Zipper repair and replacement in Amsterdam

Replacing a zip in a coat, trousers, dress or skirt

Most of our zip work is replacing a zip in a coat or trousers. On a coat we take the old zip completely out of the seam, fit a new zip in the same colour and length and stitch the seam closed again along the original stitching. A long open ended zip in a winter coat is done the same way.

On trousers or jeans the zip sits behind the fly. We open the fly, fit a new zip and close the fly again so you cannot see a thing.

A zip in a dress or skirt usually runs along the side seam or down the back and is mostly an invisible zip. We replace those too and make sure the seam lies flat again afterwards, even on thin or slippery fabric.

Replacing just the slider or the whole zip

If the zip splits open after you have pulled it closed, the slider is almost always the problem, not the zip itself. The slider wears and no longer presses the teeth together properly. Then we replace only the slider and the zip is as good as new.

If teeth are broken or missing, a new slider will not help. And if the fabric next to the zip has torn loose or frayed, replacing the whole zip is the better choice. We look first and tell you honestly what is needed, so we never do more than necessary.

Zips in leather jackets and leather bags

Leather needs a different approach from fabric. The old stitching leaves holes in the leather and the new zip has to go in exactly the same place, otherwise the old seam shows. That is why we work with a leather needle, strong thread and the original stitch length.

The same applies to a leather bag, with the added point that the zip is often attached to a lining. Want to know more about leather work? Have a look at our page on leather repair.

Zips in bags, backpacks and sports bags

We also repair bag zips every day. A backpack whose zip no longer closes, a sports bag with a broken slider or a handbag whose zip has come out of the seam. We replace zips in backpacks, handbags, large bags and sports bags.

Is anything else on the bag broken, like a handle, the lining or a stitch? For those jobs, see Bag repair.

Which zip suits your garment

A coat has an open ended zip, which separates completely at the bottom. Trousers, skirts and dresses have a closed end zip with a fixed bottom. These two cannot simply be swapped.

You also choose the type of teeth. A metal zip is strong and suits jeans, leather and rugged jackets. A plastic coil zip is supple, light and suited to dresses, skirts, bags and lighter jackets. For raincoats and outdoor clothing there is a waterproof zip with a covered row of teeth.

You do not need to work this out yourself. We have zips in every colour and length in the workshop and choose the one that comes closest to the original.

Fix it yourself or have it done

Some things you can easily do yourself. A tooth that is bent out of line can be gently bent back with small pliers. A slider that no longer grips can be squeezed slightly at the back, also with pliers. That often keeps a zip going for a while.

Is the fabric next to the zip loose, are teeth broken or missing, or has the zip torn out of the seam? Then it is wise to have it done. A zip that is fitted crookedly pulls the whole garment out of shape and is harder to repair afterwards. Not sure? Send a photo and we will tell you honestly whether you can fix it yourself.