Date: 7/1/09 10:44 AM

I'm wondering has anyone found this happening before, and how to fix it .

I have been putting zips into covers for foam pads, but I'm finding there's quite a bit of wrinkling/bunching/gathering. I'll try to post a picture later, but does anyone know how to fix this?

I'm basting the seam shut, machine sewing the parts of the gusset before and after the zip shut, basting the zip into position and then machine sewing both sides of the zip in the same direction (both from bottom to top).

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Reading from Europe

Reply to tg33
Date: 7/1/09 11:21 AM

how about some iron on interfacing.
When I do one of these i measure where the zipper will end and begin both sides the same. When putting the zipper in I just pull the fabric a little. Or just loosen the tention.
Hope this helps

Date: 7/1/09 11:35 AM

Thanks for the reply, but I'm not sure I understand .

Do you mean put iron on interfacing along the two pieces of fabric joined together by the zip?

By losening the tension, do you mean the thread? Or is it possible to decrease the tension on the presser foot. The fabric I'm sewing is very thick, when I raise the presser foot, there's almost no movement in the foot (though it's holding the fabric much more loosely).

I will try pulling the fabric. I find I'm focusing on getting the stitching to look a bit even, as it's visible when I'm finished ...
-- Edited on 7/1/09 11:37 AM --

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Reading from Europe

Reply to tg33
Date: 7/2/09 9:52 AM

Sorry for the confusion
What I did mean is iron on some interfacing this will give the fabric stability.
Second. Loosen the thread tension a little bit so the thread flows easier. You can also loosen the presure foot a little since you said the fabric is thick. Help feed the fabric through.

I went back and reread what you had written.
You based the zipper to the fabric and sewed .
Was this done all first before you put the rest of the fabric together or are these excisting covers?
when I make covers I put stablizer in and iron the area where the zipper is going to be placed after basting with the sewing machine ( very long stitches). Ironing flatens out the area where the zipper is being placed and makes it easier to sew it.
I can't think of what else you could do.
If you have extra fabric test the stitch out first this helped me getting the right stitch for the look.
I really hope this helps you I'm sure you will figure it out and do just fine.
-- Edited on 7/2/09 2:20 PM --

Subject: Getting zips in properly into cushions. Date: 7/2/09 10:08 AM

Thanks so much for coming back to answer me, I do appreciate the help!

My machine doesn't do basting, so I do it by hand and press the seam before stitching. I'm not sure if stabilizer will help, the material is quite thick, and seems to be fairly calm no matter what you do to it!! But there is no harm in trying, and I have some around somewhere...

I can decrease the thread tension, but not the presser foot tension (I think, I have a very basic machine. But I will go read the manual again).

These are new covers I'm making for a couch, so I'm basicly making six boxed cushions. I'm putting in the zip in one part of the cushion before sewing the lot together, IYKWIM.

So far I've done 4 of the 6 zips, they work and look OK (well, sort of OK), but they aren't as good as I would like them to be, so I'm looking for advice from anyone who has done a similar job.

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Reading from Europe

Subject: Getting zips in properly into cushions. Date: 7/2/09 11:36 AM

Since the fabric is very thick, try increasing your stitch length, as well as decreasing the tension.

Subject: Getting zips in properly into cushions. Date: 7/2/09 11:52 AM

I'm afraid I think it's at the max length already (though I will check).

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Reading from Europe

Subject: Getting zips in properly into cushions. Date: 7/9/09 1:14 PM

I think what may solve your problem is a walking foot. Sounds to me like the fabric is shifting under your presser foot.
Hope that helps,
Cherie

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Warm Regards,
Cherie

Subject: Getting zips in properly into cushions. Date: 7/13/09 8:58 AM

Try flipping the project over & sewing with the zipper tape up. The fabric would be against your feed dogs & the zipper tape against your foot. That way the fabric won't stretch as you sew.

Reply to my_seamstress
Date: 7/13/09 12:56 PM

Yes, I would agree with sewing with the tape up. Obviously sew the zips in and then put the pieces together, which is what you seem to be doing. Basting is a must for any problem fabrics, but since you are hand basting this actually might not work because the machine is going to carry the fabric along in a different way. I just have finished 8 cushions and had no problems when doing the above. I hate to say this but this is where a good machine pays off. I had a Necchi once and everything I sewed turned into a problem...way too frustrating. Sometimes there just is nothing you can do...the machine does not do it.
-- Edited on 7/13/09 1:08 PM --