r/Visiblemending • u/erikamoen • Feb 12 '25
TUTORIAL How to Replace Your Broken Boot Zippers (Comic Tutorial & Photos)
The zippers on my cheap-ass boots broke, so I replaced them and then I made this tutorial comic so everybody else can know how to replace their boot zippers too!
You will need: thread, a new zipper, binder clips, a seam ripper, and a sewing needle.
First, you'll use the seam ripper to rip out the original stitching holding in the zipper.
Position your new zipper in place and then clip it in with the binder clips so it won't move around while you sew.
Using the pre-existing holes in the shoe material, sew the zipper to the shoe.
Voila! You've replaced a zipper! These boots are once again made for walkin'!
Here's the full comic
My original busted-ass boots! I got them for like $20-40 at my grocery store. Not built to last.
Original zipper in place aaaaand zipper removed.
Replacement zipper, ready to go.
New zipper held in place with binder clips.
New zipper on the left and no zipper on the right (both original zippers were busted)
Finished boots! I messed up and sewed that black flap over the zipper on the right-hand boot, it was supposed to go behind it. WOOPS.
My cat christening my tutorial comic with her butt hole.
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u/astr0bleme Feb 12 '25
Erika Moen is a real one.
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
Accept no substitutes! U_U
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u/orosoros Feb 12 '25
I didn't know you're on here!! I used to follow OJST and loved it so much (before I fell off the wagon of keeping up with beloved content creators due to Too Much on my Plate syndrome)
Anyway I wanted to say this looks like an art project (in a really good way!) it's so pretty!
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
Hi! I’m new to Reddit! Well, new to USING Reddit, but I claimed my username over a decade ago (and then immediately forgot about it, so when I tried to register it recently I was like “WHO DARED SNIPE MY NAME?!” and then realized oh, it was me.) Thank you so much for the kind words! OJST is still going strong, turning 12 years old in a couple months in fact! I’m not drawing the comics anymore (burnt the fuck out) but it still updates weekly with a new comic from a different cartoonist in our roster. Honestly, I feel like Oh Joy is in its golden age right now, the stories we’re publishing are pretty fucking good 🩷
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u/astr0bleme Feb 12 '25
OMG I didn't see your username, just the tag on the art! YOU are a real one.
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u/Signal-Ant-1353 Feb 12 '25
I love all the work that went into this. And we get a cat tax bonus! Lol. She's adorable. I'm still chuckling about what you captioned with that pic. 🤣🤣
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
Bwaha, thank you! I'm glad the last caption wasn't too crass for this place ;)
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u/dust_dreamer Feb 12 '25
Fun Fact: Cats absorb importance through their butts. That's why they sit on your computer, your mail, phone, work, favorite outfit, etc. It's also why they're always so smug.
So it's a kind of compliment when your cat sits on your artwork, and the highest compliment when they sit on you.
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u/somebodysomewhat Feb 12 '25
Of the things I expected to come across today, a multimedia zine on boot repair made by the artist responsible for 90% of my sex education as a teenager was not among them.
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u/O_O--ohboy Feb 12 '25
You could readily assemble this into a zine! Beautiful work!
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
Thank you! I actually hadn't considered turning it into a zine, that's not a bad idea!
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u/SnooCauliflowers9888 Feb 12 '25
This is so helpful! (Not to mention gorgeously done.) I have a pair of boots that would be a prime candidate for this treatment!
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u/magickistheanswer Feb 12 '25
This is so well done! Love the simple instructions, the art and the design, the cat… all of it! Bookmarking this for the future, in case I need it. ✨
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u/Grumzz Feb 12 '25
It's always fun to see creators I love out in the 'wild'! Wishing you all the best and welcome to Reddit. It's a mess here but there are some nice people, especially in this sub :)
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
Bwaaaah, thanks :3 Yeah, I figure I'll stick to the craftier subs- although AITA is what brought me over here in the first place. I was reading AITA screenshots on Instagram for months and then I was like "I need more" so I started lurking without an account and now, here I am, sharing my mends.
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u/Grumzz Feb 12 '25
Ohhh I enjoy the occasional AITA as well! Me and a friend often discuss them when we disagree with the judgement haha
Hope to be seeing more of your content!
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u/Mother-of-Goblins Feb 14 '25
First, I gotta say I didn't have "boot repair tutorial by the creator of OJST" on my bingo card for 2025, but I'm here for it!
More importantly, may I humbly recommend r/bestofredditupdates ? All the AITA drama goodness, with the added gratification of what happened next.
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u/cryinglightning333 Feb 12 '25
Beautiful visualization!!! 💖 thank you so much for sharing, i will save it for later
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u/Jules2you Feb 12 '25
So cute!! Reminds me of my punk rock “zine” days! Love the creative DIY
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
I got my start making black and white zeroxed zines in the early 00s, hand stapling and folding them!
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u/61114311536123511 Feb 12 '25
Oh my god where were you all my new rock destroying life??? my bony ass ankles absolutely ruin boot zippers 😭 I just started closing the broken boot by wrapping it with a spiked belt a few times lmao. I had already gotten the zipper fixed once by then and couldn't be bothered to pay the money again. Also it turned out I could fucking loosen the straps to make the ankle space wider so I'll at least never bust a zip again but still
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u/61114311536123511 Feb 12 '25
Lmao wait i didn't notice it was erika moen posting this!! awesome to see you here!
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u/Pookie5858 Feb 12 '25
The repair to the boots is well done and the stitching is very uniform. I think most people would have given up on the boots so kudos to you for taking on the repair and sharing a tutorial. Hopefully more folks will know the possibilities for repairs after seeing this.
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u/Rubydoobydoo211 Feb 12 '25
This is great! I have 100% confidence I could replace based off of this comic/infographic!
Do you have one on how to glue the upper back down to the sole? I tried fixing a pair last year, and it didn’t work well. I’m missing them this winter!
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
I haven't tried gluing soles back down yet, although I have some that need it! Rest assured, when I do do it, I will definitely make a comic about it (although maybe not out of collage)
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u/toastedcoconutchips Feb 12 '25
This is so cool! Would this process work similarly for, say, a fabric messenger bag? I broke the zipper on mine ages ago and it could be a fun project.
Also - LOVE the boots. What brand are they?
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u/erikamoen Feb 12 '25
Yeah, I think it should be the same basic process! The shoe material has the stitching holes already punched in, while a fabric messenger bag will just have fabric to sew through. But other than that, I think it should be the same process!
Boots brand: Urrrrr I will check when I get home!
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u/TheOtherOneK Feb 12 '25
My favorite thing I’ve seen all week. Love the mend and ADORE the comic guide!
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u/barbermom Feb 12 '25
Honestly the best representation I have seen for those of us who need to see it!
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u/Impractical_Coyote Feb 12 '25
Oh holy cow this is perfect timing I just absolutely wrecked my boot zipper, thank you!
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u/aquaduckie Feb 13 '25
That's so cute! I wear boots like this all the time and -thankfully- haven't had to do a repair like this, but your collage comic was fun and informative lol. ✂️🥾
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u/headless_headphones Feb 13 '25
omg thank you, i’ve been putting off fixing mine for months now cause i didn’t know how and didn’t want to have to pay, now i have a project for this weekend!
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u/lilmxfi Feb 13 '25
First, I gotta get this out of my system: Holy crap it's THE Erika Moen! You're awesome! Now that that's out of the way, this is amazing and I needed this. My kid's got boots that may need the zipper repaired (it's on its way out on the one boot), so thank you for this. A new zipper is WAY cheaper than a new pair. You're my personal hero for this!
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u/erikamoen Feb 13 '25
Aww haha, thank you, you’ve made my day! Good luck with repairing your kid’s shoe- I found it surprisingly satisfying to cut through the original stitches with my seam ripper 🤤
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u/Far_Chocolate_5437 Feb 13 '25
Did you have to order a special zipper for boots
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u/erikamoen Feb 13 '25
The first time I did this, I used really dainty zippers that were not built to be used roughly and they did break. Those ones I got at a secondhand art store https://portland.scrapcreativereuse.org ) The second time I got thicker, sturdy zippers at Joanne's, but any place that sells sewing notions will have a selection of zippers to choose from.
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u/CatlynnExists Feb 12 '25
this is amazing! i love the how the use of multiple layers enhances the piece