cut out the lace

Are you using an invisible zipper or are you lapping the zipper? Don't want to tell you anything confusing till I know which. ;)

Sharon

Hello Sharon,

The zipper is invisible, but not lapped, and not one from a packet that says "Invisible Zipper".

Ordinary zipper. I will explain, may be easier to follow.

I stitch up the whole seam. I use biggest stitch on part where zipper is to go. From the bottom of the zipper downloads I stitch in ordinary size stitching.

I place and sew zipper in - then unpick those big stitches and you have the zipper with only the pulling piece showing.

My main concern is that the lace may get torn when pulling zipper up and down to get into the dress.

Or maybe the bride will just have to be extra careful not to catch the zipper in the fabric.

Thanks Sharon

Katherine

Katherine wrote: ...

It's not like she'll be wearing it every day for a month. ..

--Karen D.

Katherine will the bride have someone to help her into the dress and then out of it into her going away outfit? I would assume that someone will help, so perhaps if you make sure that this person knows to place a finger/thumb into the space between the teeth and immediately in front of the zip pull as it's pulled up then there shouldnt' be a problem.

Fran

After I posted I thought about it - it will only be for a few hours, and yes I am sure she will have someone to help, even if I have to be there :-)

Thanks Katherine

OK. You should be fine doing it this way. The only thing you might want to do is stitch the zipper portion of the the dress by hand. Hand basting usually pulls out easier than machine basting. You don't want to snag the lace. Press very carefully once the zipper is in. You may want to use a press cloth (just any lightweight, similar colored piece of fabric) over the lace and press from the right side. Also be sure to trim out any bulk under the zipper. I would probably trim off all the lace on the wrong side of the zipper. That will help that to lay flatter. Since you will have the lining to cover the zipper tape on the wrong side it won't show.

I think it will be fine zipping and unzipping. She will be careful, and like others have said she will have someone to help her.

Sharon

Even though I may have other questions before finishing this dress, I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU, to this newsgroup.

I wouldn't have done such a job without you all. I am sure Spandex put in some good suggestions along the way too, but...... I cannot receive her postings :-( Sorry.

Thank you again Katherine