Sewing zips

Ladyhawk

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of trying to sew my first ever item all by myself (previous efforts were disasterous attempts during sewing class at school). I am trying to do a full length skirt.

Anyway despite the instructions that say that sewing a zip is super easy... I am baffled. I have sewed the left side but have no idea how to do the other side.

Anyway suggestions?

Thanks

PS - sorry if this is in the wrong board...

BitterAndTwisted

I think you need to fasten the zip and then sew the other side up. It's so long since I sewed a zip into a garment but I know they can be ruddy tricky to get looking right. Good luck!

Have you tried looking at YouTube to see whether there's a tutorial on there which may help you?

yorkiepud_2

depends on how you sewed in the left side but the cheat's way to do a set in zip is just to fold the fabric to where you want it and place the zip underneath and sew.
hth but if not more details would make it clearer to see what you need.

zippychick

I sewed zips on one occasion but winged it! i can only find one thread which may help - replacing a zip on a pair of jeans

Zip

lazysheep

Don't know if this helps but there is a thread on the Special Occasions board for sewers: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2169321

they might be able to help you with some advice?

Ida_Notion

I would unpick the side already sewn, fold the fabric in the way you expect it to sit once the zip is inserted and then press. After this, I would put the zip right side up on a surface, then place your fabric (also right side up) on top of the zip. Once you have the zip and the opening together (with the edges of the opening touching so that you cannot see the zip beneath), tack the zip and the opening together - down one side of the zip, across the bottom and up the other side - and then you can pull the zip open and closed to double check that it's correctly positioned. Then you just machine where you have tacked. This is probably quicker than I am making it sound - I used to sew for a living, but would not claim to be the world's greatest teacher Failing that, search YouTube. Someone somewhere has probably video'd the entire procedure.

Ladyhawk

Thanks everyone... I kind of did it like Ida's instructions. It is far from professional but nor is the rest of the skirt! The next one will be better

meritaten

I know you have already done it - but you may find this method easy and professional looking. Its the way I was taught at school.
you do the side seam on the machine all the way up to the top. make sure the zip is closed then place the zip as centrally as possible on the seam and pin in place. Sew down one side and sew across the bottom of the zip about a quarter of an inch under the end of the zip, taking out the pins as you go if your machine cannot sew over them. Sew up the other side of the zip. now carefully unpick the SEAM stitches until you reach the end of the zip. This should give you an 'invisible' zip.