Houseworks: How to replace snaps on clothing and fabric

Replacing snaps on clothing is an easy job with the right tools. Snaps and the tool for installing them are cheap and easy to use. Photo by Photo Steve MaxwellArticle content

Got snaps on clothing and other fabric items that don’t work properly or are missing? There’s a DIY fix and that’s simple and cheap, as I was reminded last month.

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I got a new work jacket as a gift a little while back, and it’s nice except for the snaps. They were too small and weak to hold, opening up every time I brushed against something or picked something up (even though the jacket has plenty of room). But changing these snaps for larger ones (or replacing snaps that have stopped working or fallen off) is a fast and easy way to make things right. There are three steps to the entire snap installation process, and anyone can do them.

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Step 1: Buy replacement snaps

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Sewing stores and many online retailers offer snaps, and for my most recent upgrade I went with a company called Wawak (www.wawak.ca). I could have bought off-brand snaps from Amazon, but Wawak has been in business since 1907, and they only sell the good stuff. What’s the point in saving a few dollars on snaps that aren’t all they should be? I chose the Dritz brand of snaps from the Wawak website. They’re part of a German sewing supply company that’s been in business since the 16th century, so they’ve probably figured out the snap thing very well.

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15 mm or 5/8” is a common diameter for the heavy duty snaps I needed, but there are smaller ones available for more dainty applications. You can also choose different colours and styles, though all crimp-on snaps install the same way.

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Step 2: Remove old snaps

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This seems tricky, but it’s actually quite easy. Most snaps are crimped into place (some are sewn) and I use a pair or wire cutters with jaws perpendicular to the body of the tool to nip off the inner nubbin of the snap as a first step. Next, get the jaws under the edges of the snap, between the cloth and the snap, then gently squeeze, being careful not to damage the fabric. In most cases the snap pops right off more easily than you’d expect. If this doesn’t happen on the first squeeze, rotate 90º and squeeze again.

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Clothing snaps like these are crimped into place during installation, making them simple to install with the right tool. Photo by Photo Steve Maxwell Article content

Step 3: Install the new snaps

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Every snap has two parts that come together and lock, and each of these halves have two parts. This is where a little a pair of multi-purpose snap pliers come in. Mine cost $20, also made by Dritz, and it does different snap-related functions.

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First, the tool’s got a hole punching attachment in case you’re installing snaps in fresh fabric, or if the current snaps don’t actually fasten through an existing hole in the fabric (as with my new jacket).

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With holes punched and ready, swap out the hole-punching attachment on the pliers for the crimping attachment, then place both parts of one half of the snap into position. They’ll be loose, so you need to hold them together before you get the snap tool into position and squeeze. One firm compression with the snap pliers and your snap is fastened, though there’s something you should know.