Zippers

Exteriorly applied zippers, especially big bulky ones, have been au courant on Project Runway for at least 4 years. My own view is that zippers are not "decorative". Either learn how to insert a zipper, or use buttons, or snaps, or Velcro.... ;-)

B

Exteriorly applied zippers, especially big bulky ones, have been au courant on Project Runway for at least 4 years. My own view is that zippers are not "decorative". Either learn how to insert a zipper, or use buttons, or snaps, or Velcro.... ;-)

B

Yes, it's about time they were over, IMO. Granny panties with sheer overlays can go away too. Speaking of Project Runway -- since whatever happens can't possibly be any more disappointing than the last three seasons, I guess I'll pour a glass of wine and tell myself not to take it too seriously. As DH says (yes, he watches it too!) it's just a game show.

Iris

I see this a lot on TV shows. I would think you'd have to be very careful in the application.

I once thought that sewing a zipper on the outside to keep it off my skin was a good idea. I caught the bottom of the zipper in a yoke seam, and sewed it on with embroidery stitches.

I *hated* it.

Finally realized that I never open my jersey for ventilation, and I didn't need a zipper to put on T-shirts made of similar fabrics, so I now make jerseys with no zipper.

Then I switched to linen for hot weather, and need the opening after all, but I use hook-and-eye tape.

Tickles me sometimes to be watching an 'old' movie where the costumes are fastened with fine zipper installation. Sort of like a teased 50's hairstyle in a covered wagon setting. Polly

Since it was a costume for a TV show, it's quite likely that the zipper was done that way to facilitate quick costume changes. Even when a show it taped, quick changes are necessary because so many other people and processes depend on efficiency. Not so much, perhaps, for a multi-million dollar film production, but soap operas are at the opposite end of the scale. Five to ten days of soap opera episodes are usually done in a single day.

My mom broke her wrist about 10 years ago, in midwinter, and I couldn't go out to help her.

I did go buy some sweatshirts and insert big sports zippers on the forearm, down into the cuff, on the outside of the sweatshirt, then added mitered ribbon trims and the like. Since mom never liked undressing for a doctor, all she had to do was unzip the sports zipper.

Her orthopod (who must have been really green!) thought it was the best idea since sliced bread, and took photos of the 20 minute sweatshirt fixes; two of her friends asked if they could have 'em when she no longer needed 'em and she told them no, and wore them till she died years later.

Personally, I thought they were kinda gaudy.

Kay

Were they gaudy at night?

;->

I do like your personalization for your Mom. I did all sorts of custom work for my father after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, anything to make his life easier.

B

That was a good idea! Barbara

Fashion isn't always rational, sensible, or beautiful. That said, I made this one:

for DD (from a kind of plush with flowers in pinks on a burgundy background) and I just couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw the outward zipper. However, there's (fortunately) no Burda pattern police to check if you stick to their instructions, so I just put it inside. And I made the whole thing somewhat longer so that DD's kidneys are well covered. Actually, it turned out to be more like a dress right now, but it will be a nice tunic next winter. ;-)

U.

I'm with you. I cringe when I see zippers used as embellishments on garments. And I really hate to see a badly inserted zipper. Especially when invisible zippers are so easy to do!!!! :)

Unfortunately, the zipper madness is spreading. I saw some (way spendy) pumps at the mall with "flowers" made from zippers on the toe. They were like these

with the teeth of the zippers pointing outwards along the edges of the petals. All I could think was how often I would scrape the backs of my ankles on those zippers!!!

Sharon

The latest Threads has an article on how to install zippers on the outside -- for some strange reason, the author thinks it's important to also expose the teeth on the inside -- or, perhaps, just didn't have enough time and space to describe more than one method.

My first thought was ew, ecch, yucckers -- but on second thought, an exposed zipper could be part of a very attractive design on casual clothing.

But what the article showed was plain zippers randomly slapped onto dress-up clothing, in colors that slap you in the face, and they do

*not* "instantly add a modern designer detail to any garment."

After the way people snickered and snortled at the 70's just for wearing bright colors, can you imagine what will be made of the teens for this fad?

It's a wonderful time to be able to sew.

"Joy Beeson" < clip......

The clothing worn now by the teens is wild enough now, with the wild colors and the underwear showing! The colors are OK but I don't care to check out their undies! Barbara in HOT SC

DH and I ran away last weekend. ;) We were waiting to check in and I was people watching to kill time. The lady in front of us was a successful looking executive type. (Really great, but not over the top shoes. Coach leather bag. Very nice, high quality luggage. Everything was expensive but understated.) She had on a cute (on first glance) sheath dress. Very nice black and white color blocking. Similar to the Stella McCartney dress that's been making the rounds lately. She turned her back to me and the zipper was on the outside of the CB.

To me, it ruined the entire outfit. It really, honestly made it look like she had the dress on inside out. The bottom of the zipper tape was finished off. Looked like it was bound with bias tape. (I didn't want to stare at her behind so I had to look quick. LOL) Couldn't see the top of the zipper tape because her hair covered it. It was bad enough when I realized the zipper had been put in exposed. But somehow, seeing the end of the tape, even though it was finished, sticking out there just really made it so much worse. It would have looked so much nicer if that had been an invisible zipper. SOOOOO much nicer.

Blech!!!

But pretty funny that we were just talking about that and I saw that dress. lol

Sharon

I **KNEW** it!!!! Now we not only have to wear tin foil hats, we gotta make tin foil tights too. That's gonna be a little warm.

Very welcome!!!

Sharon

Kinda makes me wonder if these people KNOW how to insert zippers. Barbara in SC

Easy-peazie:

and remember, shiny side OUT! ;-}

No need for full-body tin foil undies:

B

BOOKMARKED!!!!!!

I really loved the smashing and the tape. lol

Oh thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew I could count on you, Miss Beverly!!!! lol I feel oh so much more secure now.

Sharon

I knew you'd need that! ;->

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