Replacing jeans fly buttons with a zip - please help my DH retain some dignity

[GleamingHeels]

This might seem like a strange thing to want to do, but my DH has in the last three weeks become suddenly disabled and can no longer fasten buttons and I'm trying to find some practical solutions whilst it sinks in.

We bought his Gap jeans a while ago having spent ages trying to find the right shape for him, having found them we bought several pairs and now he can't do them up! We're pretty sure he'll be able to pull up a zip if I put a round keyring type thing on the bit you pull.

I don't think my ancient sewing machine will sew through several layers of denim, but is this the sort of thing I could get the seamstress at the dry cleaners to do for me, or will they just be ruined?

I believe replacing a zip in a pair of trousers is one of the most difficult things to do, in terms of clothing repairs. (So putting one in instead of buttons is probably even worse!) I think you would need to take them to a professional, maybe the person at the dry cleaners could do it, it depends on their individual level of skill.

I was in a bookshop yesterday and found a book dedicated to clothing repairs, DP has asked me to put a new zip in some trousers of his, so I looked it up in this book - it said, basically, take it to a professional!

This might sound like a crazy idea and I've no idea if it would work, but maybe you could leave the buttons where they are and install a zip at the side seam, like skirts have sometimes?

Or, alternatively, somehow sew a panel of velcro behind the button flap? I'm clutching at straws here, and don't have a pair of button-fly jeans handy to look at to see if it would work.

If none of the above are possible, you might just have to ebay them and buy new ones - sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.

Thanks for replying Donkey - I think probably replacing them is the way to go, side seams and velcro might work, but I think they'd feel very 'disabled' to him, so new jeans with zips it'll have to be!

Most dry cleaners can replace a zip but that's like for like. I can't imagine it would be that difficult for some one who does a lot of mending. I'd go and ask!

Sorry to hear about your husband, Gleaming. My DH has MS and struggles with buttons, so when his jeans need replacing we have to search everywhere for zipped ones.

I'd suggest getting someone else to do it too.

Sorry to hear about your dh!

If you take his jeans to a person who knows their way around sewing machines it really shouldn't be a problem! I am not an expert sewer, but I have replaced zips and would have a go at it myself.

Gleaming I can see how specially adapted jeans might put him off, I hope my post didn't come across as insensitive - I am on a massive money-saving binge at the moment so my brain automatically disregards buying new things and tries to work out how to adapt what is already there.

Continental I have to admit to having been scared off zip replacement without ever having tried it. Maybe I should try and repair DP's trousers? Not that I have a clue what I've done with them now...

donkey If you're going to throw the trousers away anyway I would definitely give it a go! It's honestly not as hard as it looks, all you need is a seam ripper (removing the old one with scissors will drive you nuts!) and a zipper foot.
Good luck!

It is possible to change to a zip. I've done it a few times over the years.

If they are unwearable as they are, then you may as well have a go.

Unpick and remove the button side and tack in one side of the zip. Close the waistband button and mark out where the other side of the zip lies. Unpick the inside section and take out the buttonhole strip. Pin and tack the zip on this side too. Machine sew both sides and then sew the flap back down. This last bit you will do on the outside to follow the original stitch marks. If you take it slowly a good sewing machine can handle it.