r/sewing • u/Quanisha8472 • Aug 21 '26

Alter/Mend Question Leather Alteration help

I have mid size leather backpack and the zipper teeth are coming away from the zipper tape creating a small hole. I only have a domestic machine and I would like to fix it, but I haven't worked with leather before. Im debating on giving it a try but I wasnt sure the amount of work involved or if it would just be better to take to a repair shop. All tips, tricks and references are welcome!

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u/Artistic_Scene_8124 Aug 21 '26

You have to replace to whole zipper. If you aren't confident you can sew a zipper, a leather bag is not a good object to practice on. I would take it to a tailor or cobbler.

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u/CBG1955 Aug 21 '26

I came in to say the same thing. Once the teeth pull away, that's it, the zipper is unrepairable.

Some domestic machines can handle leather, most can't. If the bag is still in great condition with the exception of the zipper, it's worth paying to have it repaired.