KatieA
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UNITED KINGDOM
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Date: 12/4/12 1:31 PM I'm making a skirt in a cotton velvet - it is sewing fine along the seams and I am not having to use a walking foot, but the zipper is just a mess. I have unpicked it but don't want to unpick again.
I don't think I can sew in the zipper with my walking foot. I have a regular zipper but I could get an invisible one. Or do I have to handstitch in the zipper?
I've just spotted something saying to put the zipper in the lining - I am lining the skirt - would that be better?
Thanks!
-- Edited on 12/4/12 1:32 PM -- |
beauturbo
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Date: 12/5/12 0:10 AM If you used an invisible style zipper instead, then there would be no top stitching on the zipper at all, and it would just be inset into the seam line instead. Maybe try that? You might like it. I actually think invisible zippers look better as unseeen and are much more easy to insert into a garment than a regular one most times.
Or if it's just the top stitching on the regular zipper you don't like there, you could put zipper into skirt with machine, but just hand prick stitch only the part that is going to show from the outside of the fabric. I have never tried to sew a zipper into outer skirt fabric and lining at the same time. I think it might be too bulky for me that way, and too hard to finish off under it for me. Most times I just put zipper in fashion fabric, then just hand slip stitch the folded in edges of the lining to the zipper tape afterwards. But I don't mind some hand sewing at all either. |
Molliefran
 
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 2 members like this. Hand pick stitch. Is much easier than it sounds and is a gorgeous finish ------
"This is the day that The Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!"
Building my stable one machine at a time: Viking circa 1975, Viking Sapphire 870, Bernina 1130, Huskylock 905
Most prized possession: Grandmother's Singer treadle machine with the drawers filled with her things, just like she left them. |
TC Connie
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Date: 12/5/12 8:50 AM Use double sided Wonder Tape to hold in place while you sew the zipper. Just be sure not to stretch the fabric when applying the tape. |
KatieA
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UNITED KINGDOM
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Date: 12/5/12 10:23 AM Right, I'm going to be brave and try hand picking! |
skae
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Date: 12/5/12 10:52 AM velvet is a funny fabric. When you sew it It goes all over the place. I pin it down or hand based in place. then for the top I also do that. It works well for me. Invisable zippers are great too.
------
Galatians 5:22-23 The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these |
Doris W. in TN
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Date: 12/5/12 2:08 PM I hand-picked the zipper on the only velvet dress I ever made. It was *not* an invisible zipper. I'm not smart enough to attempt that by hand.
FIRST I hand-basted the zipper in place. Very important. The nap of the velvet will make the tape want to crawl everywhere. |
solosmocker
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Date: 12/15/12 6:16 AM A hand picked zipper is not meant to be invisible. The "picks" show with lovely little indentations. The trick to getting it to look good is to have evenly spaced stitches and the right thread. I like to use several strands of embroidery floss as it has a slight glow that shows up nicely in the picks. You can also put beads on the pick stitches as well which is very pretty.
This zipper has three tiny seed beads at each stitch:
-- Edited on 12/15/12 6:17 AM -- ------
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SheBear0320
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Date: 12/15/12 9:27 AM My experience is all with stretch velvet but I find the invisible zipper works best -- that way there is no top-stitching so no visible holes if you have to re-do. I apply fusi-knit interfacing to the zipper opening before installing the zipper.
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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
2012/2013 Stash Busting Sew-Along:
27.25 yards sewn (as of 05/15/13)
21.75 yards purchased (as of 05/15/13)
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MartiP
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MI USA
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Date: 12/15/12 10:22 AM Has anyone tried what they call a "V foot" on velvets? It looks like a narrow foot that rolls, like a mini pizza cutter shape. I am wondering if it would also work as a zipper foot. I am thinking of purchasing one to try. I sometimes have to make self-welted velvet pillows with zips for designers, and they are a real pain. ------
MartiP |
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