In my last blog I showed you how I successfully made a skirt with wobbly seams which was WAY too big, I certainly have been learning a lot making this project. I learned that when sewing two pieces of checkered fabric together, it is best to not sew at the end of a row but rather right up the middle. When you sew up the middle, the seam fits in as opposed to looking like a thick stripe, it also happens to be much better at hiding wobbly seams. So I went back in and sewed the seams again with this in mind.
Once the seams were resewn, I braced myself and started to put in my zipper. Larisa was very patient with me and walked me through what to do with a zipper foot. Now, the only other time I have sewn a zipper, I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a zipper foot, so I had a lot to learn. Larisa gave me some sage advice I felt like I had to share with you, “Never sew your zipper all the way around.” Meaning if you sew the first side of your zipper from top to bottom , don’t sew the other side from bottom to top. Why? I’m not entirely positive, but it seems like good easy advice to follow.
The first side of my zipper came out a little wobbly, you REALLY have to hold that sucker down if you don’t want it to move. The second side was actually pretty straight, it only took me 5 minutes of pure concentration as Larisa’s watchful eye guided me. I sat back, satisfied, realized that I had been so nervous that was sweating profusely only to discover that the bobbin had run out about half way down. After a good laugh I finally finished up the zipper and am one solid step closer to having a skirt!
I am finally getting an inkling of why this can be so fun and addicting. With the finish line in sight I can hardly wait to get the lining in and attempt to hem my wonderfully misshapen skirt!
Sep 9, 2009, 09.42 PMby foxyroxy
Just keep at it. I spent three weekends putting and taking out a zipper. I finally got it then I didn’t like the way the dress flatted my chest. I am not teaching myself how to do a FBA (full bust alteration). I enjoy sewing and I enjoy the mistakes. I learn something new. Even though my dress didn’t wasn’t a complete success I don’t ever feel like my time was wasted, since I’m always learning something when I sew.
Sep 9, 2009, 09.05 PMby kdrodgers
Although I hate zippers in general… I much prefer to do invisible zippers. I don’t know why but they seem less complicated.
Sep 9, 2009, 11.53 AMby jowinchester
I’m just as new to sewing as you are, hun. If not more. I attempted, attempted being the operative word, sewing a zip two days ago and failed miserably.
I read on an above comment about tacking/pasting the zip in place, as well as using pins for placement. That could be something for a pair of novices like us to note down, huh?
Sep 9, 2009, 10.22 AMby janetheclerk
i feel your pain :) but, i’ve figured out a few tricks in getting zips right:
tip 1: always pin down and then tack / baste your zip in place, and do one side at a time; the difference in the end product is visible and makes your life easier too; it also only takes about five minutes. tip 2: buy a zip foot – for normal zips and invisible. the investment will avoid much swearing, and allow you to make more items tip 3: if you don’t have a zip foot: pin down and tack the zip in place, then reduce your foot pressure so that one side of the foot can rest on the teeth of the zip while still sewing close to the teeth. as far as i know, this only works for normal zips, not invisible. tip 4: with invisible zips, put them in first, then do your seam tip 5: always sew from top to bottom – makes the pressure and direction the same. much the same with seam sewing: the same seams should always be sewn in the same direction, otherwise they hang slightly differently. tip 6: sometimes the invisible zip foot doesn’t lift the teeth up enough for you to get right in there, so you may have to do it for yourself – do a few practice ones to see.
the best thing to do with zips is to practice – buy a bunch of short ones, and do them until you can refine your technique. either that, or put buttons in :)
2 Replies
Sep 11, 2009, 06.36 PMby alden
AMAZING tips! thank you so much, I have copied these into my sewing notes guide.
Sep 12, 2009, 09.52 PMby violet47
Thanks. I copied your advice too!
Sep 9, 2009, 12.48 AMby missymay
Whilst it might seem painful, I also hand baste a zipper prior to machine sewing it
Sep 9, 2009, 12.26 AMby emily greensmith
I’m pretty sure zippers were invented by a sadist. I’ve been sewing since I was 7 and they still give me pause. Good luck and I hope you turn out to be one of those (much hated by me) natural sewers who learn things like zippers with only one mistake! Emily
Sep 8, 2009, 11.52 PMby sewhipmomma
I feel ya !! ugh i hate that when i see a pattern i just love! and then bam i flip it over and discover it needs a zipper! i am so wary of zippers! if only it were easier…i sew alot for my girls and hate the fact that i hold myself back because of my fear of zippers!
Sep 8, 2009, 09.50 PMby lawpizzihc
Master tailor and ex-sewing teacher here…….. What I can say is that even when you make mistakes, you need to make them. This way you know that “That Way” is not a write way to do it. Invisible zippers seam to be hard for almost every one. I found a while ago – like in 1994 – a 99c plastic zipper foot that my students found very easy to use. Just hang in there and you will get a knack for it. My first day in school, I was told to iron my fabric (and I NEVER ironed before in my life). I almost burned down the school. When I fly home and visit the school, all the students here about my flaming iron story, and now I make clothes for stars and for the 7th On 6th runway shows here in NYC.
2 Replies
Sep 11, 2009, 06.39 PMby alden
I’m glad to know there is hope! The biggest mistakes always make the best stories. Good luck with fashion week!
Sep 12, 2009, 09.54 PMby violet47
Since you are a pro, I have a question that I was afraid would sound dumb, but I need to ask someone. If I can find someone to make a fitting pattern for me, and I have one from Burda, will I be able to use the sheath fitting pattern when I work on patterns that are not of the same style?
Sep 8, 2009, 09.49 PMby saucysewer
I’ve been sewing for a gazillion years and there seems to always be a time when one has to “unsew” a seam. The quickest way I’ve learned is with the seam lying flat like it was sewn, cut every 4+ stitches with a seam ripper from one side of the seam then flip seam and pull long thread from other side and all the stitches will fall away. It saves the time of cutting every stitch. Just thought I’d throw in this time saver. I’m “sew happy” to see there is a young generation interested in sewing!
Sep 8, 2009, 08.17 PMby chiyi
I’m totally new with sewing too and I haven’t sewn in a zipper yet! Could you explain what you mean by sewing one side top to bottom, but not the other side?
1 Reply
Sep 11, 2009, 06.38 PMby alden
What i mean is sew each side from the top of the zipper to the bottom, not top to bottom on one side and then bottom to top on the other. I hope that helps!
Sep 7, 2009, 11.47 PMby kiraph
ugh…. zippers!!!! ;) Can’t wait to see the finished project alden!!!
Sep 7, 2009, 12.39 PMby littlemissstitch1
Ha ha… your blog just made me laugh out loud… so many times i’ve smuggly smiled at how easy that side of the zipper/hem/seam was sew… only to find out the cotton had run out half way through!!!
Good luck with the lining ;-D
Sep 6, 2009, 09.43 PMby reliablechef
I feel you, I always loathe putting in the zipper! I just finished my second pair of pants and didn’t have to redo the zip at all. Yeah :)