Replaced the zipper on my tall boots all by myself!

[Sacred_Petra]

I dare any cobbler to tell me its hard to replace a zipper now. In the midst of my desparate search for new tall boots (since I’m riding english for my new job) zipper #3 blew out in my tall boots and I needed them asap. I couldn’t find a cobbler I trusted so I decided to try doing it myself since I couldn’t make them any less wearable.

It was so easy, aside from finding a proper zipper. Taking the old zipper out was much harder than putting it in because I had to navigate all the old stitching they hadn’t bothered to remove and they had about a gallon of glue holding everything together, but after that, a few hand stitches through the heel counter (which cost me 5 needles) and I was able to do the rest with my tough as nails sewing maching. If I hadn’t done it myself I’d have a hard time telling which zipper was done by the cobler and which one was done by me, and it only cost me 5 bucks and a about 3 hours. I’ll have to wait to find out how durable my repair was, but at least it bought me time to order new boots (since the local tack shops didn’t have anything in my size).

[SmartAlex]

You rock!

I hate even putting buttons back on my husband’s shirts

[Danier]

Yes! Getting the old zipper out is way harder than putting the new one in.
I have done several of my own, even replaced an elastic panel in one pair.
Much better than paying $$$ for someone else to do it!

[BEARCAT]

Where do you get the new zippers?

[RedmondDressage]

I’d like to know where you go the zipper too! I’ve got a pair of Ariats that I’d love to fix so that I have a backup pair! I haven’t done it because it’s kinda spendy but if I can do it myself I’d be all over it!

[Danier]

You should find zippers at any fabric store.
My local store has a whole zipper aisle, a rainbow of colours in many lengths and styles, metal and plastic.
I had to replace the zipper in my Tipperary vest too so I put in a hot pink one.

[Sacred_Petra]

I got my zipper at JoAnns. It was one of the really heavy duty parka ones. I had to cut the end off mine because it was a dual separating (just wrap a bunch of wraps of thread around the cut end), but it worked out better that way because it didn’t have a large zipper stop at the heel end.

I definitely recomend a seam ripper to help cut the glue, and tweezers to help pull out the old threads. I had to cut every other visible stitch on the inside of the boot and pulled them out with tweezers. After I had about 4 inches done I’d rip the leather off the zipper. I used super glue to give it some extra hold in the heel because I knew there was no way I was getting another zipper in them (the leather is way too chewed up now after 4 zippers that I’d have to narrow them and take off the leather zipper guards), but if you think you can get another zipper in if this new one breaks I’d use a shoe glue. My local Ace Hardware carried a shoe specific glue, but super glue was cheaper.

[not_really_new]

Very impressive!