Inserting Zippers, Another question

I've gone through the archeives, I've read instruction in a bunch of books and I still have the same zipper probllem I always have. kate says she's been putting in zippers since she was 8 and I can't find her answer to my problem either. I put a lapped zip into a dress today. It went in fine UNTIL I got to the slide.What the heck do you do with the slide? I stopped just below it with my needle in the fabric. Lifted my presser foot and struggled to get the slide down far enough to continue sewing. Is there an easier way? @ @ @ \)/ \)/ \)/ Juno

Reply to
Juno
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That's how I have always done it. You may be able to swing the needle to one side *while it's in the down position, through the fabric* to make additional room to move the slide, I don't know what machine you use.

Reply to
BEI Design

That is the only way I have ever done it, either. Emily

Reply to
CySew

Me too, try attatching string or safety pin to it so its easier to pull? I don't know any other way for it. Sorry I couldn't help.

Michelle Giordano

Reply to
dnmgiordano

Thank you all for your speedy answers. At least I know that I'm doing it in about the only way there seems to be. I have a Viking "Sarah." It's a very basic machine. I'll try the string and safaety pin on the next dress I do. I'm pleased with the way the dress is coming along. It's very pretty and I know my DGD will be happy with it. Juno

Reply to
Juno

you can always take the needle out of the fabric, move the slide, reinsert the needle into the same hole.....

penny s

Reply to
Small Change

No. I slide it down as I go, and when it gets close to the bottom, I niggle and wriggle it UP past the foot. With chunky zips, this takes patience.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

In article , Juno of AT&T Worldnet uttered

Always use a zip a good inch or two longer than you "need" and stitch the 2nd side with the slide all the way down at the bottom, then finagle it up through the little hole at the bottom of the seam afterwards

Reply to
She who would like to be obeye

In article , Small Change of uttered

Not if you don't want a boggle.

Reply to
She who would like to be obeye

I have been reading this thread and trying to remember why zippers don't usually bother me. you reminded me. sew to the bottom, run zip up, across below the stop, and up the other side. it does help if it is a nylon zipper to use one an inch or two longer, but really how many of us use a zip that it is imperative that we get EVERY coil out of it to make it work? not usually, it isn't worth the worry, we would go get the right size.

One thing I do try to remember, is not to sew RIGHT up against the teeth. if I am not careful, I can sew so close that I have trouble moving the pull at all.

So Then, I sew down the left side to the pull, run it up, go on around below the stop, or sew across the teeth at the "right" place for you. then up the other side.

Reply to
Kitty In Somerset, PA

I know how you feel! My method for zippers. 1 - Pin baste into position,

2 - turn over and check its straight (the pull can distort the position of the zip with respect to the opening) 3 - thread baste and 4 - sew by machine.

Now getting the zip pull past the foot - tricky as you've noticed. My methjods for dealing with this include - a - using the NARROW zipper foot - you should be able to buy one for your Viking Sarah - I have one for my Viking Platinum this makes things VERY easy, - b - stop with needle down lift the presser foot, turn your work through 90 deg so the pull passes under the front of the foot - you can also (if you have 3 hands, engage in bodily contortions or find a helper) push the foot lifting lever the little bit further up at the same time to get an extra

1/8th inch height out of the presser foot, - c- possibly slip the foot of the shank, move the pull and put the foot back on., - d - finish sewing at that point, remove garment from machine move zipper, start sewing again, - e- swear!

HTH,

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

I recently started doing zippers this way. When done sewing in the zipper, I then sew across the bottom of it, where the new 'end' is, and cut off the excess. It's SO much easier.

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

--------------

Reply to
IMS

I never have that problem.

Reply to
Small Change

She who would like to be obeyed once every Preston Guild Mar 26, 1:01 am show options

Newsgroups: alt.sewing From: She who would like to be obeyed once every Preston Guild

Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 09:01:42 GMT

Subject: Re: Inserting Zippers, Another question

In article , Small Change of uttered

Reply to
sewingbythesea

Dear Friends,

I taught all of my students to put in a lap zipper for most applications. We never used a slot application--it screams homemade. It takes less than two minutes to use this method once it's perfected, and looks great. No problem with the pull, either. You can use a longer than needed zipper, or just sew carefully when you reach the top.

Sew the seam into which the zipper will go up to the bottom of the opening. Leave a finger's width of space, and baste the rest of the seam. Press the seam open.

With the zipper open and UPSIDE DOWN, sew it to the seam allowance only on the right side, from the bottom up, as the zipper faces you. The zipper tape should be lined up with the raw edge of the seam allowance. The sewing should be along the corded line in the zipper.

Close the zipper. Fold over the seam allowance that you just sewed, and again, sewing just through the seam allowance, sew the fold as close to the zipper as you can get.

seam. Your zipper is installed. Remove the bastings. If you have used a longer zipper, leave it until the facing/waistband/other finish covers the top end of the zipper, then cut the excess away.

The space left between the "good" stitching and the basting is the marking for the last step, and helps to identify when to turn for the bottom of the zipper.

For elegant gowns and wedding dresses that don't use buttons, the outside step can be done by hand with a prick stitch. Doesn't take that long, and adds that couture feature not available with a machine finish.

Teri

Reply to
gpjones2938

I've read and printed out every answer. Now ia will sit, read and digest all the help. When I get a clear picture in my mind of how I want to do this next time I'll give it a try. I really do have to make a mental picture of things before I can actually do something. That has always been the way I learn new things anad refine old techniques. Actually the zip when in very well. It is a lapped application. It's just that I have always struggled with the slide and wondered if there was an easier way to work around it than I was using. Generally I sew both sides of the zip from the bottom. I find it goes in the best for me that way. Thank you all again for sharing your methods. Juno

Reply to
Juno

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