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How to: Zippers (Part 2)

September 16th, 2008 in sewing, patterns & designs, fashion

Shannon Dennis, contributor

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Heres a simple craft zipper insertion. Start with two pieces of fabric and a zipper.

Put the right side of the zipper to the right side of the fabric, and match the raw edge of the fabric to the finished edge of the zipper.

Using your zipper foot, let the edge of the foot ride along the teeth of the zipper.

Here's a simple craft zipper insertion. Start with two pieces of fabric and a zipper.

Photo: Shannon Dennis

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I started using this zipper technique a few years ago on simple crafting items such as pillows and purses or when I needed a zippered pocket in a project. I also used it in my first book, Sew Hip, on the Tote Bag project.

Start with your zipper and fabric right sides together, making sure to match the raw edge of the fabric with the finished side of your zipper. Pin in place.

Put the right side of the zipper to the right side of the fabric, and match the raw edge of the fabric to the finished edge of the zipper.

Snap your zipper foot onto your machine, and sew using the edge of your zipper foot against the teeth of the zipper.

Using your zipper foot, let the edge of the foot ride along the teeth of the zipper.

When you get close to the bottom of the zipper, put your needle in the down position and zip the zipper closed about 2 inches. Continue sewing to the end of the zipper.

Zip the zipper partially closed when you're close to the bottom of the zipper.

Set your sewing machine on a zigzag and finish the seam.

Use a zigzag to finish the raw edge of the fabric and zipper.

Press the seam open with an iron and topstitch about 1/8 inch away from the seam.

Press the seam open and topstitch.

Repeat all the steps for the second side of the zipper and you're ready to turn it into a pocket or zippered opening for your project!

Complete all steps for the other side of the zipper.

If you are a visual person, hop on over to my site and watch the tutorial on how to complete a quick zipper!

You can also check out my Zippers (Part 1) post here where I talk about Garment Zippers or Zippers (Part 3) where we talk about Invisible Zippers.

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posted in: sewing, patterns & designs, fashion, quick zipper, craft zipper, pocket zipper

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Comments (4)

oceanblue writes: i feel so stupid. how do you put a zipper in the middle of a garmet or in a craft how do you hide the tabs without having the gap at both ends?? i'm having problems with zippers in placets and pockets! also closing the spaces at the ends of the tab at the ends of the zipper i am a begining sewer. thank you Posted: 9:02 am on December 4th

JhenniK writes: Great details. Zippers have always been my nemesis so these instructions will be very handy!! - - Thanks. Posted: 11:53 am on September 27th

abbek writes: Thanks for the instructions on how to sew in a zipper. I normally avoid patterns with zippers. This has made it seem so easy that I will have to try it. Posted: 11:04 pm on September 20th

jpattyjack writes: I have been looking for a great tutorial for zippers and this one is great!!!!!!! Thank you so much.
Jackie Posted: 8:56 am on September 20th

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