Date: 6/23/09 3:59 PM

I can't put in zippers to save my life. Everytime I go to put one in I end up redoing it several times. Then I forget what I have learned and have to learn a technique again.

I tried to put in a invisible zipper, but I couldn't understand the book, so I just put in a centered one, but I didn't catch the seam allowance in some places.

Is there any help for someone like me such as a DVD on putting in zippers? I can do buttons and buttonholes, but just freak out on zippers. Surely, I am making this harder than it really is I hope.

Thanks in advance,
Michelle

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Date: 6/23/09 4:09 PM

I bet if you googled "zipper insertion video" or something like that, you would come across all kinds of videos on youtube and those learning sites (I'd look for you but I'm at work right now and our firewall doesn't let me see videos). However, that being said, I used to be the same way with zippers and so I took scrap fabric, a couple cheap zippers and I practiced the methods right out of my Vogue Sewing book. A couple of tries for each kind of zipper and I was off to the races!

My favorite (the easiest IMHO) zipper is the invisible zipper and I do that anytime I can. My method (learned from this site) is to use steam a seam to tack it down and then use my invisible zipper foot to sew it on.

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Deborah Thompson
www.debthompsoncollection.com

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Reply to SewSlow
Date: 6/23/09 4:25 PM

I love invisible zippers, too. Pfaff has an invisible zipper foot that will fit your 7570. They came out with it a couple of years ago.

Doesn't Shannon Gifford have an e-book on zippers? Her stuff is always good.

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www.thereisjoyadventures.blogspot.com

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Date: 6/23/09 5:02 PM

Sew Slow, I feel your pain! I have been sewing for 30+ years, and STILL have trouble with zippers! I can probably count on 2 hands how many times I have done a perfect zipper. Don't get me started on invisible zippers! I have replaced hundreds (yes - hundreds) of them in Wedding gowns and other formal wear. It just never gets much easier for me. I have taken tutorials, read articles, watched videos, even gotten one on one tutoring. No dice. I hate them. But they area necesary evil. I just have learned to do the best I can and live with it!

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Reply to SewSlow
Date: 6/23/09 5:11 PM

I was afraid of zippers for the longest time. I finally found a technique that worked for me in the book, Sew What! Skirts. Instead of pinning the zipper, use glue. I use a washable glue stick. It's a miracle notion for me. I love invisible zippers and use them all the time now!

Hope this helps!

Larri

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Reply to SewSlow
Date: 6/23/09 7:22 PM

What does your zipper foot look like? The one that came with my Kenmore was horrendous -- looked sort of square. I couldn't put a zipper in with it either, and I've known how to insert zippers for about 40 years. I found a traditional long, narrow right-left adjustable zipper foot to fit my machine -- problem solved.

As for invisible zippers.... not going there until I absolutely have to. I've read too many horror stories on here. Of course, for every horror story there is at least one "I love them" story, but I'm still intimidated.
-- Edited on 6/23/09 7:24 PM --

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Formerly Joan1954
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ You can't do things if you're scared. ~Alex Stobbs (google Alex's name)
~ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein
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mon bouclier et ma très grande récompense
Gen. 15:1

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Date: 6/23/09 7:42 PM

I have a Pfaff zipper foot that is square can be put on the right side or left side and has a notch out of both sides where you can move the needle over closer to the zipper teeth.

I used a Singer book method where you baste the seam closed, then center the zipper coils under the seam. I used two sided tape to hold it in place, but I don't think it did a very good job. You then put invisible scotch tape on top of the fabric and stitch around it for a centered zipper. It was too wide as I didn't catch all the seam allowance when I sewed around it on the top.

I think I will check on U-Tube and see if I can find anything.

Thanks,
Michelle

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Reply to SewSlow
Date: 6/23/09 10:21 PM

Michelle, I have a skirt I am making that I have trying and trying to put the zipper in. I went to SL only to find there were no matching regular zips so I had to buy an invisible one....days later I am still struggling.

Your post has inspired me to wander to the library, get some ideas and keep going. Best of luck.

PS: I saw a link posted by another member for zip tutorials, I think this is it: Fashion Incubator

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Reply to jilly cooper
Date: 6/23/09 11:49 PM

Quote: jilly cooper

I went to SL only to find there were no matching regular zips so I had to buy an invisible one....days later I am still struggling

Jilly, there is an excellent tutorial at HV too
Sewing techniques - click on the sewing techniques main tab at the top and then on zippers

An Invisible Zipper foot makes the job much easier. I too struggled with the very first one I inserted. I hope you have success soon
Vonne

-- Edited on 6/23/09 11:52 PM --

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Vonne ºOº Brisbane Australia
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Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

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Reply to Vonnevo
Date: 6/24/09 1:24 AM

Thank you Vonne, I will check this out. Looked in the Readers Digest sewing book too, hopefully one of the techniques will make me have a lightbulb moment.

I am trying a 6 gored skirt with the zip at the side back. So I am going to move it to the side because that seem hasn't been overlocked yet so I thought if I just start afresh with this seam and try the zipper there I might have luck....

Thanks for your good wishes

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