Zippers, Zippers, and More Zippers with Donna Cash

Zippers, Zippers, and More Zippers with Donna Cash

Let s talk about closure, closure with zippers! In this class you will learn all about the different types of zippers and how to insert these in a variety of pillow and home goods styles. The following lessons include step-by-step instructions for zipper basics. Learning the basics first will allow you to insert zippers in other soft home good items. I love pillows and I love zippers so let s get started.

Common zipper types.. Nylon regular zipper coil in #4.5 and #5.5 Nylon invisible zipper coil in #3 and #5 Molded tooth zipper coil in #5.5 and Metal zipper coil Zipper # - what does this refer to? The width of the zipper teeth is measured in MM. This number corresponds to the zipper size number. Pictured here is a #5.5 molded tooth zipper.

Common zipper types.. Use size #4.5 zipper with drapery weight fabrics. Use a size #5.5 with fabrics with heavy texture and upholstery weight fabrics. Purchase a good quality zipper intended for use in custom home goods. Zippers intended for use in clothing are not strong enough for custom home good products. Purchasing zipper chain and slides is less expensive than buying individual zippers. Keep a separate pair of scissors in your workroom for cutting zippers.

Inserting a zipper pull onto a regular coil zipper.. Use the blunt end of the zipper pull. Push zipper pull on the zipper until you hear a click. Peel zipper coil open like a banana.

Regular zipper coil next to welt cord One of the most common applications for regular zippers is inserting them next to welt cord or decorative braid cord at the bottom of a pillow.

Regular zipper coil next to welt cord Step-by-step Prepare a regular zipper 2 inches larger than pillow zipper opening. Press ¾ Inch seam allowance to the back side of the pillow back at the bottom edge. Place pillow back over pillow front, with welt or braid cord already attached, right sides together. Stitch a 2 inch seam on either side of the pillow at the bottom edge. Leave the center open for the zipper insertion.

Regular zipper coil next to welt cord Place the zipper, right side down, with the teeth next to the welt cord. Stitch the zipper close to the cord. Place the second side of the zipper over the pressed up flap of the pillow back, matching the edge of the zipper tape to the serged edge of the flap. Stitch close to the zipper teeth all the way across. To complete the pillow, put a cording foot on the sewing machine. Open the zipper before stitching the remaining three sides of the pillow.

The lapped zipper The lapped zipper is a technique used on projects where inserting a zipper in the seam will make the zipper difficult to operate. This may be a pillow or duvet cover where a brush fringe or decorative braid cord is used. Using an additional cut of fabric, the zipper strip, keeps the lapped zipper about an inch above the seam on the back side of the project.

The lapped zipper Step-by-step In addition to the project back, cut a zipper strip the width of the project by 3 inches. Serge all four sides of zipper strip, project front and back. At the bottom edge of the project back, press a 1 seam allowance to the back side. This will become the flap covering the zipper once your project is complete. Prepare a zipper the project width plus 2 to 3 inches. Place the right side of the zipper (the side with the teeth) over the zipper flap, matching the edge of the zipper tape to the edge of the folded up edge. Pin the zipper in place. Stitch all the way across.

The lapped zipper Step-by-step Pin the second side of the zipper over the zipper strip, right sides together. Stitch close to zipper teeth. Press zipper strip flat. An alternative method would be to top stitch the zipper strip next to the zipper teeth. To complete your project, lay the project back and project front right sides together. After stitching the two sections together, clip any excess fabric from the zipper strip.

Invisible zipper The invisible zipper is commonly used in knife edge pillows that have no trim. Once you learn the basics of sewing an invisible zipper, you will find it also works in the seam of boxed pillows, cushions, duvet covers, and slip covers.

Keep in mind, the invisible zipper The invisible zipper may not be completely invisible. The face side of the invisible zipper is the side where you do not see the teeth. (the teeth are on the back side of the invisible zipper) Use a #3 invisible zipper when using drapery weight fabrics. Use a #5 invisible zipper for upholstery weight fabrics. For fabrics with heavy texture or when seams or trim will be within the zipper area, you will need to stitch slightly away from the teeth of the zipper or the zipper will not open and close. Purchase a good quality zipper intended for use in custom home goods, not those intended for use in clothing. Purchasing invisible zipper chain and slides is less expensive than buying individual zippers. An invisible zipper foot is available for use with the #3 invisible zippers. Keep a separate pair of scissors in your workroom for cutting zippers. Face side of invisible zipper Back side of invisible zipper

Invisible Zipper Step-by-step Cut the invisible zipper chain approximately 3 to 4 inches longer than you need. This helps keep the zipper pull out of the way when sewing the zipper onto your project. To insert the zipper pull onto the invisible zipper chain, first separate about 1 ½ inches of the zipper teeth. You ll insert the zipper tape onto the wide end of the zipper pull. With the right side of the zipper facing you, hold the zipper tape with the edge toward your face. Slip one side of the zipper teeth into the channel on the zipper pull. Pull this up to the point on the zipper pull where the teeth will mesh together. Do the same with the other side of the zipper. Once both sides of the zipper are fed into the zipper pull, pinch the zipper tape together with one hand. With the other hand, pull the zipper pull onto the zipper. Before doing anything else, stitch over both ends of the zipper. This will keep the zipper pull from falling off the end.

Invisible Zipper Step-by-step On the face of your project, (pillow, duvet cover, etc.), front and back, within the seam allowance, mark the placement of the zipper, about 1 ½ - 2 inches from each end. Make corresponding marks on the wrong side of the zipper. While the zipper can be placed anywhere along the seam, marking the starting and stopping point on both the fabric and zipper will let you know everything is lining up correctly as you stitch. Open the zipper. Place the right side of the zipper against the right side of the face fabric, matching the marks made in the previous step. Align the edge of the zipper tape with the edge of the fabric. Pin the zipper to the fabric before stitching. Open the zipper teeth and place the needle a close to the teeth as possible. Stitch the zipper, starting and stopping at each mark.

Invisible Zipper Step-by-step Test the zipper to make sure you haven t stitched too close to the teeth. Stitch the second side of the zipper to the other side of your project. Once the zipper is completely stitched to the project, stitch the remainder of the seam, just to the point of the zipper. To complete your project, stitch the remaining three sides of the pillow.

Bound zipper. The Bound Zipper is a dressmaker detail I use when the pillow back extends all the way to the edge of the pillow. Because this is my favorite type of zipper, I often highlight the zipper by using contrasting fabrics and place the zipper on the face of the pillow.

Bound zipper. There are a few tools I find helpful when making the bound zipper. One is a buttonhole chisel and block. The other is an quilting tool measuring ½ wide with a line down the center. Let s learn the basics first though.

Bound zipper. Step-by-step Cut the pillow front and back fabrics the same size. Cut a zipper strip the pillow cut width minus 3. Ex. Pillow cut width of 19 3 = 16 zipper strip The zipper strip cut length is 3. Serge around the zipper strip. Fold the zipper strip in half matching long edges. Press a crease in the center. This crease will become a cut line for your bound zipper but do not cut it at this point. On the wrong side of the zipper strip draw a rectangle ½ wide and 2 less than the zipper strip. This rectangle is the stitch line. Ex. For a zipper strip of 16, the rectangle will be 14 wide x ½. Mark cut lines on the zipper strip along the center (the pressed line) and lines that veer off to the corners.

Bound zipper. Place the zipper strip on the pillow back, right sides together, about 3 up from the bottom edge. Pin in place. Stitch the zipper strip to the pillow back along the marked rectangle using small stitches. Reinforce both ends with a second row of stitching. Clip the line in the center of the rectangle, starting and stopping one half inch from each end. Clip diagonally into each corner without cutting the stitches. Do not cut off the triangles.

Bound zipper. Turn the zipper strip to the back and press. Notice the rectangular hole. Still working on the back side, press the zipper strip seam allowance back toward the center of the hole. Roll the zipper strip toward the hole and press the zipper strip over this seam.

Bound zipper. Cut and prepare a zipper Using iron on bonding tape on the face of the zipper tape will help hold the zipper in place while sewing the zipper. Press the zipper in place. Place the zipper, face down on the back of the zipper strip, centering the teeth over the center opening of the zipper strip. Press in place. From the front of the pillow back, sew the zipper in place by stitching in the ditch between the zipper strip and pillow back.

Learning the basics of zipper insertion will allow you to move to more advanced zipper placement in your custom home goods.

donna@designsbydonnaatlanta.com www.designsbydonnaatlanta.com Facebook.com/designsbydonnaatlanta Donna Cash 404-664-6543