Sewing Zippers. Directory of How To Sew A Zipper.

Zippers

Zippers come in different weights for different fabric and purposes. A zipper is made with two strips of woven tape, and connected by interlocking teeth.

The teeth are made from metal, plastics or synthetic. Coil zippers are made from polyester or nylon. Coil zippers are light weight heat resistant and rustproof. Metal zippers are for heavier fabrics such as denim or canvas. Zippers come in many colors and sizes. They can blend into the garment or project, or you can use them as a design feature like a sewing trim would be used.

Polyester all-purpose zippers are used for all weights of fabrics and garments or projects.

Separating zippers are both metal and plastic. Separating zippers are available in medium and heavy weights and are used for jackets, sportswear, and home decor.

Plastic separating zippers are used in exercise wear. They are lightweight but still as strong as their metal counter part.

Invisible zippers are one of my favorites of all the zippers. Some zippers are used as a sewing trim, but in this case an invisible zipper is considered a notion.

I like a clean look to the garment that I make and invisible zippers eliminate visible stitching. These zippers are a little different from regular zippers in that the teeth coil inward. The only thing that shows is the pull.

You will need a special invisible zipper attachment for your mahcine, which can be purchased at your local sewing machine retailer. It is not expensive at around $5-$10 dollars.

Tutorial for a lapped zipper in a throw pillow.

Sewing A Centered Zipper

Start with a standard zipper. The length of the zipper will be determined by the garment or project you are working on. The pattern you use will tell you the correct size of zipper needed for your project.

Sew a machine basting stitch from the top of the garment to the point where the zipper will end.

Note: Machine basting stitch is a larger stitch, (3.0mm or more) used to secure a temporary seam. You will pick this seam out later.

Press open the seam so it is flat and ready to place the zipper on it.

Place the zipper so the teeth are centered directly on the seam.

Secure the zipper with hand basting, pins or double sided sewing tape. (my personal preference is the tape)

note: double sided sewing tape will dissolve the first time you wash your garment or project.

Using a zipper foot, sew a straight seam, approximately 3/8" all the way down to the point that you have predetermined the zipper to end. Sew down one side, across the bottom and back up the other side.

Once you have your zipper in place and you are happy with the look of your zipper installation, you can now unpick the basting you put in the first step.

This is how the finished centered zipper looks on the inside of the garment and the outside. I hope you can see how sewing zippers is not so intimidating at all.

For more information on sewing zippers, click here..