Taunton's Threads - For people who love to sew
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From the pages of Threads magazine Sewing In a Zipper Tips for installing centered, lapped, and invisible zippers At one time or another, every sewer will probably need to insert a zipper into a garment, and with a little bit of preparation, you'll be able to do it easily with great results. I'll show you how to sew in a standard zipper, using both the centered and lapped methods, as well as how to insert the popular invisible zipper that "disappears" into the garment seam. But first, here are some helpful tips regardless of the type of zipper or insertion method you choose. Both standard and invisible zippers come in a variety of lengths. I suggest starting with a zipper that's slightly longer than the zipper opening on your garment, especially when working with a standard centered or lapped application (it's usually easier to shorten a zipper than it is to insert it precisely into a given space). For example, if your garment has a waistband, insert a longer-than-needed zipper that extends beyond the waistline seam, stitch over the zipper, and trim away the excess when you attach the waistband. You can cut a zipper at the bottom to shorten it as well; just be sure to add a new zipper stop by whipstitching over the teeth at the bottom of the zipper, then cutting it 1/2 in. to 1 in. below this new stop. Interface the zipper area Before inserting a zipper, it's a good idea to add a strip of interfacing along the seam allowance, especially when using a lightweight or unstable fabric, to help support the zipper's weight and stabilize the fabric. I use a strip of lightweight, fusible interfacing that's about 1 in. wide and the length of the zipper opening. Fuse the interfacing strip to the zipper-opening seam allowances, extending over the seamline about 3/8 in. For a crisp opening edge, interface only the seam allowances.
The centered zipper Sew the garment seam, machine-baste the zipper opening's seam allowances together, and press the seam open. Use a two-step process for this method, machine-basting the zipper tape to the seam allow-ances first, then topstitching the zipper in place from the right side of the garment. For best results, and to avoid rippled edges, topstitch directionally from bottom to top on each side through all thicknesses. Use your machine's zipper foot, which allows you to stitch close to the zipper teeth, and remove the seamline basting stitches once the zipper is inserted.
Sew the garment seam using 5/8-inch seam allowances, basting the zipper opening, and press the seam allowances open. From the wrong side of the garment, place the closed zipper face down over the seam allowances, aligning the right tape edge to the right seam allowance edge. Sew the zipper tape to the seam allowance only, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, and taking care not to catch fabric from the garment body. Flip the zipper over so it's right-side up. Sew the unstitched side of the zipper to the remaining seam allowance by stitching directly over the seam basting, or as close as possible to it. Unfold the fabric so the garment is right side up. To topstitch the lap, sew across the bottom of zipper first, pivot and stitch 3/8 inch from the seamline to the top of the zipper. Remove the basting stitches from the seamline. Sew the garment seam, baste the opening seam allowances together, and press them open. Place the closed zipper face down over the seam allowance and align the right tape edge to the right seam allowance edge and sew the two together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. With the zipper face up sew the other side of the zipper to the remaining seam allowance by stitching right over the seam basting. To topstitch the lap, sew across the bottom of zipper first, pivot and stitch 3/8- inch from the seamline to the top of the zipper. Remove seamline basting. The invisible zipper This is the easiest and fastest zipper application, because there's no need to baste or topstitch. Use an invisible zipper foot (available from your local fabric store or Clotilde, 800-772-2891; www.clotilde.com) that lets you sew extremely close to the zipper coils, making them invisible from the right side. Insert this zipper before sewing the garment seam. First unzip the zipper and press the coils as flat as possible with a cool iron, and don't close the zipper again until after inserting it.
Positioning this zipper might be confusing at first. Just remember to always keep the zipper and the garment right sides together with the zipper coils along the seamlines. And position the zipper foot for each side of the zipper so the needle clears the center hole and the coils glide under the groove. Sew the left side of the zipper to the right garment section, top to bottom, until you get to the zipper stop. Align the remaining tape to the left side of the garment and sew in place. Then complete the garment seam. Keep in mind that you cannot stitch the seam so it connects smoothly to the zipper stitching without leaving a gap. I recommend starting the seam as close to the zipper stop as possible, then hand-sewing the gap closed. Or machine-stitch the seam completely, but switch to a zipper foot to get those final stitches as close to the stop as possible.
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