PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,262 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,262 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 4/25/17
Posts: 507
Body Type:
Send Message
2 Replies
Posted on: 10/12/23 9:00 PM ET
I shortened an invisible zipper and inserted it into a satin dress. Now the bottom of the zipper is sticking straight out, like a duck tail. To the best of my knowledge, the invisible zipper was inserted correctly, I then closed the CB seam, then tacked down the zipper end. Did I shorten the zipper incorrectly?

I am running very short on time to finish this dress. Any help would be appreciated!

The satin dress has been inter-lined with a cotton fabric.
  
Member since 12/26/07
Posts: 3075
Send Message
thumbsup 5 likes
Posted on: 10/12/23 9:38 PM ET
In reply to Dee Hill
Off the top of my head, "tacked down the zipper end", did you have to? I don't as a rule, I just leave it, well, flapping, I guess. If you release the tacking, will the end behave itself?
  
Member since 1/23/06
Posts: 6190
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 3 likes
Posted on: 10/12/23 10:11 PM ET
When I finish of the last stitches on the side of an inviz zip I backstitch at and angle to the edge of the zipper tape. This is about an inch long at least. It secures the zip down nicely.

I also use the forcep method to pull the zip into position. This allows the entire seam to be sewn ahead at the same time before doing the zip install part and therefore guaranteeing a totally smooth seam finish. Just google Kenneth King Invisible zipper on youtube. Best tute out there.
------
http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 2/4/17
Posts: 768
Send Message
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 10/12/23 10:50 PM ET
I would release the end of the zipper tape from the seam. It sounds as though the zipper bottom is pushing out your bottom of the seam allowance. You could wrap the ends of the zipper tape with bias tape and not have it tacked into the seam.
  
Member since 6/10/10
Posts: 1441
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 10/13/23 6:50 PM ET
Is it possible you didn't apply interfacing to the zipper seam and it stretched out?
  
Member since 3/14/20
Posts: 134
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 10/16/23 6:28 AM ET
In reply to Dee Hill
I don’t leave anything less than 2-2.5 inches of zipper tail when the fabric is lighter in weight than the zipper. That way the zipper tape will weigh itself down. Then I’ll tack the tail onto the seam allowance, making sure it is flat. What size was your stitch length when you installed the zipper? Sometimes I find that smaller stitches will create unnecessary tension at the bottom of the zipper opening.
------
Poly linings-- not even once
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!