I never pulled back in the video to give you a shot of the finished zipper, with all the loose threads cleaned up and the tape pulled off the back. (Yes, tape. Watch the video and you'll see.) Here's the front. . .
Happy sewing!
Best,
Wendi
Monday, August 08, 2011
Video - How to Sew a Zipper in a Seam
I didn't try using zippers for a LONG time because I thought they'd be too hard. Looking back, it's astonishing to me how many things I avoided because I thought they'd be too hard. Seriously - how long did I think I could make clothing without using any closures? And then when I did venture into closures - I tried sew-on snaps (Yuck! What a pain!) and velcro. Velcro! Anyway - when I finally learned out how to sew in a zipper I couldn't believe how easy it was. It's three straight lines and some work with a seam ripper. Don't believe me? Watch the video. You'll be putting zippers into everything you sew.
I never pulled back in the video to give you a shot of the finished zipper, with all the loose threads cleaned up and the tape pulled off the back. (Yes, tape. Watch the video and you'll see.) Here's the front. . .
. . . and here's the back.
This zipper is kind of hidden behind two flaps of fabric. If you want your zipper to be visible, take a look at this video instead.
Happy sewing!
Best,
Wendi
I never pulled back in the video to give you a shot of the finished zipper, with all the loose threads cleaned up and the tape pulled off the back. (Yes, tape. Watch the video and you'll see.) Here's the front. . .
Happy sewing!
Best,
Wendi
I used to sew the zipper out, but I will give a chance to your hidden zippers, it seems to be easy and much more proffesional!! thanks for your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this is so much easier than the ridiculous way I have attempted to do this in the past! Great tips, thank you!
ReplyDeleteGlad it was helpful!
ReplyDeleteI have a purse that is 11" wide and I can only find 10" or 12" zippers at my local Jo-ann store. Is there something I can do in either case to use one of these sizes or is there an 11" zipper out there somewhere?? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou need to buy the longer zipper and shorten it. That's really hard to do with metal zippers - but if you're buying one at a Jo-Ann I'm guessing it's a Coats & Clark plastic zipper. They actually have instructions inside the package showing you how to shorten it. It's easy.
DeleteGreat video. Have a question, why didn't u sew the sipper on the back. u could see the foot line up with the zipper. Also maybe thinner masking tape or even scotch tape (a little sticker but still easy to remove)instead of the thick tape. This coming from a person who hasn't put a zipper in since high school. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou could sew it from the back - but the stitching will be visible from the front so I like to watch it on that side to make sure it's staying lined up with the seam. Some people have had luck with using scotch tape - but not me. I've tried a few different types/brands and none of them stick well at all to fabric. Not well enough to hold the zipper in place.
Delete