I’m scared of the dark. And snakes. And I used to be scared of zippers too.
After my zipper post, some of you expressed your fear of zippers. Do you ever dismiss a project because it has zipper? Or decide to alter it into an elastic waistband or a button closure? I’ve been guilty, too.
Time to face your fear. It’s really not that bad! There are lots of ways to put zippers in. Zippers in a seam, lapped zippers, invisible zippers. So we’ll just start basic.
I used a turquoise silk for this tutorial, so the photos look a little funny. It looks like a flash, but really its super shiny fabric! (I got it at Mood in New York. Best fabric store in the world. Maybe universe.)
First, sew up the seam that you want to put the zipper in using a basting stitch. Press it open and center the zipper over the seam. Pin The zipper to one side of the seam allowance.
Starting at the top of the zipper, sew along the tape. Backstitch along the bottom and continue sewing back up the zipper.
Zippers can be scary. Thank goodness I had a mom who sewed everything and showed me how but your tutorial is great and very easy to follow for those who haven’t tried it yet!
Great job!
Hi Kate,
This is exactly where I am in my dress constructing ! Yippe, thanks so much !
also, I’ve a question re: zippers and color
I usually look for a zipper to match the garment I’m making, I was told once a long while ago by a sewer that ” If I sew properly it wouldn’t matter what color zipper I used , it shouldn’t show” That has stuck with me and made me Zipper Paranoid. Is this true or was it merely a snarky comment ? What if you can’t find a zipper to match would you go a little lighter or darker ? Thanks again, this tutorial is great!
Wow this is so awesome thank you for reading my mind!! this helps so much
I’m scared of zippers too and I ‘m scared of button holes! I need to reread this carefully and give it a go.
xo,
Sena
For some reason zippers don’t scare me, but button holes do. Can you help me with this in one of your 101 posts? Thanks. Great tutorial!!!!!
Help! I have a question. What about the rest of the seam? If you baste the seam in order to put in the zipper, then does it stay like that or do you go back and somehow try to restitch it more securely? Thanks.
^^^ You should actually only baste to the length of your zipper and regular stitch the rest of the way down. Minor details! I usually skip that part because I’m lazy, but good thinking!
Thanks for this! I have done zippers a few times, but they are always a bit wonky as I didn’t know about basting along the seam. Now I’m excited about doing a zipper!