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Moderated by Sharon1952
Posted on: 10/10/18 7:54 PM ET
I think I went to JoAnns for the last time. The selection of colors for zippers was limited and I couldn't get a match for the shade of blue fabric I was sewing.
So how do you match your thread and zippers if you don't have a local store? I placed my last order with Wawak, guessed and came out better than I did at JoAnn's. I hope I can do even better though.
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So how do you match your thread and zippers if you don't have a local store? I placed my last order with Wawak, guessed and came out better than I did at JoAnn's. I hope I can do even better though.
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Mary
Posted on: 10/10/18 8:04 PM ET
Maybe you could email Wawak and ask them for the best thread color match for a particular zipper. They can look at it in person and not just rely on a photo. They are very helpful at Wawak.
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Susan
Posted on: 10/10/18 8:04 PM ET
Maybe you could email Wawak and ask them for the best thread color match for a particular zipper. They can look at it in person and not just rely on a photo. They are very helpful at Wawak.
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Susan
Posted on: 10/10/18 8:18 PM ET
In reply to marymary86
Wawak does offer several printed color charts for some of their threads, and I think also for zippers. Just call and ask. The chart for Mara 100 is pretty good, but not exact, particularly the last short grouping of colors. The "orangey-pink" I picked out from the last group on the printed color chart was actually neon orange -- I was expecting something more like a Tropicana rose shade.
The chart for Maxilock is quite a bit better than the itty bitty squares in the catalog.
I did bite the bullet and buy the real thread color chart for Mara 100 threads and have been ordering happily since. I don't think real thread charts are available for all the threads Wawak stocks, but as it happens, I like Mara and rarely sew with anything else any more, so that has been an investment that paid off for me.
I don't use a whole lot of zippers... mostly just boring old fly zippers, and a few jacket zippers. When those are on sale, I buy replacements for the ones I used and any new colors that look likely to see some use here. Because it's easy to shorten zippers, I typically "buy long", as it's cheaper to shorten a zipper sold at Wawak's prices than to buy anything locally, even much shorter. And in the past few years, I've found I've accumulated enough spools of Mara to fairly closely match any color I've got on hand.
The chart for Maxilock is quite a bit better than the itty bitty squares in the catalog. I did bite the bullet and buy the real thread color chart for Mara 100 threads and have been ordering happily since. I don't think real thread charts are available for all the threads Wawak stocks, but as it happens, I like Mara and rarely sew with anything else any more, so that has been an investment that paid off for me.
I don't use a whole lot of zippers... mostly just boring old fly zippers, and a few jacket zippers. When those are on sale, I buy replacements for the ones I used and any new colors that look likely to see some use here. Because it's easy to shorten zippers, I typically "buy long", as it's cheaper to shorten a zipper sold at Wawak's prices than to buy anything locally, even much shorter. And in the past few years, I've found I've accumulated enough spools of Mara to fairly closely match any color I've got on hand.
Posted on: 10/11/18 1:26 AM ET
In reply to marymary86
I have purchased thread charts and the YKK zipper tape chart.
Posted on: 10/11/18 2:23 AM ET
There's also buying in bulk lots and matching from there. (I bought a pack of 30? zippers, and pick the closest match.)
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 10/11/18 2:37 AM ET
I don't buy either on line for that reason. However, if I was forced to, I'd buy invisible zips as they don't need to match too well and sometimes the stitching around a zip is the only time the thread actually shows.
Most of my stitching is done with the serger where near enough is good enough. Otherwise my top and edge stitching can be contrasted anyway.
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Most of my stitching is done with the serger where near enough is good enough. Otherwise my top and edge stitching can be contrasted anyway.
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Achieved 2023 50yd (45.72m) Dash: 56.48m Untried Stash Patterns: 13, Dress a Month: 3
2024 50yd Dash: 28.6m sewn, Untried Stash Patterns Sewn: 7, Dress a Month completed: 3
2024 50yd Dash: 28.6m sewn, Untried Stash Patterns Sewn: 7, Dress a Month completed: 3
Posted on: 10/11/18 5:49 AM ET
In reply to marymary86
I mail a sample of my material to the zipper company with my email address included. I received an email with a picture of the zipper next to the sample. Perfect match. Went online and bought the number recommended.
Woggy
Woggy
Posted on: 10/11/18 7:31 AM ET
Disclaimer: The following works for me. YMMV.
I don't buy online, neither fabric nor notions. Whenever I travel (private, business) on a day when shops are open, I see if there's a fabric store or habadashery in the area. If so, I go to the place with a small Zipbloc bag, containing small fabric swatches for which I need notions. I also buy notions in hard to find colors for which I don't have fabric yet; it's just a matter of time I'll be happy to have stocked up on it! This works for me because I haven't changed my color palette for decades and don't plan to in the foreseeable future.
-- Edited on 10/11/18 at 2:47 PM --
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I don't buy online, neither fabric nor notions. Whenever I travel (private, business) on a day when shops are open, I see if there's a fabric store or habadashery in the area. If so, I go to the place with a small Zipbloc bag, containing small fabric swatches for which I need notions. I also buy notions in hard to find colors for which I don't have fabric yet; it's just a matter of time I'll be happy to have stocked up on it! This works for me because I haven't changed my color palette for decades and don't plan to in the foreseeable future.
-- Edited on 10/11/18 at 2:47 PM --
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For 2019 committed to:
- Continue using what I have (fabric, notions, patterns, books, mags, tips & tricks etc.).
- Strive to re-use 52 items from my upcycle cupboard.
- Continue purchasing fabric and patterns mindfully.
- Continue tracking my fabric stash.
- Resume tracking my pattern stash.
- Continue with RTW fast. Exceptions: bras, socks, panty hoses, shoes. Plus anything that coincidentally crosses my way and is a truly mindful purchase.
- Prioritize replacing some plain wardrobe basics (pillars or backbones) that are close or past their lifespan over adding fun, more exciting garments that I, strictly speaking, do not need (nice-to-haves).
2018 Summary:
- Used successfully what I had and bought mindfully, i.e. fabrics.
- Got a very good grip on my stash (measured and catalogued almost all of it) but failed to sew 10% down (got 9.28% done).
- Did not meet goal to make 50 projects (new, finish or re-use UFOs, upcycle, mend, repair).
- Key take away for 2019: Set fewer number-specific goals. My sewing should be driven by needs and love, not by achieving numbers.
- Continue using what I have (fabric, notions, patterns, books, mags, tips & tricks etc.).
- Strive to re-use 52 items from my upcycle cupboard.
- Continue purchasing fabric and patterns mindfully.
- Continue tracking my fabric stash.
- Resume tracking my pattern stash.
- Continue with RTW fast. Exceptions: bras, socks, panty hoses, shoes. Plus anything that coincidentally crosses my way and is a truly mindful purchase.
- Prioritize replacing some plain wardrobe basics (pillars or backbones) that are close or past their lifespan over adding fun, more exciting garments that I, strictly speaking, do not need (nice-to-haves).
2018 Summary:
- Used successfully what I had and bought mindfully, i.e. fabrics.
- Got a very good grip on my stash (measured and catalogued almost all of it) but failed to sew 10% down (got 9.28% done).
- Did not meet goal to make 50 projects (new, finish or re-use UFOs, upcycle, mend, repair).
- Key take away for 2019: Set fewer number-specific goals. My sewing should be driven by needs and love, not by achieving numbers.
Posted on: 10/11/18 10:36 AM ET
For zippers, esp. invisible ones, I keep a supply of nail polish, and enamel paints, that I use straight or mix to the shade, and paint the zipper tab.
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height 5'2" bust 36, waist 31, hip 39.
I have way too many yards to count, and I will never use them up, but I will die trying!
I have way too many yards to count, and I will never use them up, but I will die trying!
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