Ive been a seamstress for many years and have NEVER mastered machine stitching in a zipper. It was always a major source of frustration for me. Even having someone work with me more than once to sew in zippers i would always forget what they taught me the next time i wanted to sew something that required a zipper. So i gave up. But seeing there are those out there who can patiently teach someone to hand sew them in makes me want to try again. So thank you for this tutorial. God bless.
Thank you. I prefer to sew my zippers in by hand. Maybe I gave up on a beautiful machine set center zipper too soon but I was never satisfied with how mine turned out. I've gotten pretty fast at sewing in the zipper by hand and I never have to unpick it or part of it to make it look better ;-) Sometimes, hand sewing just works best. Thanks for watching the video.
My sewing machine is just a very simple one that only does straight stitches. It only came with a standard straight stitch foot and I am rather reticent about getting a zip foot only to find it not fitting. In haute couture, it is common for zips to be hand sewn, so you are not alone. :)
Just wanted to say a huge huge thank you for this tutorial! I made my first ever dress entirely by hand and was really really nervous about putting in the zipper in case I messed up or misaligned the seams - this tutorial (and your other video on the various backstitches) eased my worries so much and the dress looks great! Thank you for all that you do
Thank you so much! I'm a beginner, this is so much easier, than trying to do it with a machine. I was almost frustrated to tears, trying to do this on my sewing machine.
Yes - me too! When I was just starting to sew I would want to quit every time I came to the zipper. Eventually, I learned to only buy patterns that didn't have a zipper. When I learned I could put zippers in by hand, faster and better looking, - game-changer! I'm so happy you found this helpful.
Very nice, I use this method on high priced bridal alterations. The fabrics are often very shear or delicate so I baste away from the line I’ll use for my permanent prick stitches. I avoid entangling my basting thread into the finishing work just to be sure I don’t damage any stitches.
Oh, I hadn't thought about zippers for a hand-knitted cardigan. This stitch should do the job. How wonderful to be able to knit your own hoodie. Learning how to knit is on my list.
@@TheDailySew After two years of knitting with thread, I can’t bring myself to restart! It has to be a hoodie with a zipper now! Just need to find a way to attach a hood to the body next.
Thank you, I love the video, but I can’t picture this: “If you don’t have a sewing machine fold back the seam allowance on each side of center back, press and baste the seam allowance down to the garment, then open up the zipper and pin it face down along each edge so the zipper teeth are just inside the fold of the folded back seam allowance.” I don’t have a machine, which is why I’m here. How much to fold the seam allowance and which way? To where? The center? Why are we unzipping the zipper? How far do we move the teeth- how far is “just inside the fold”? What does that look like? Do we then sew through 4 layers of fabric? It would be wonderful if you could describe the distances and and locations in more detail. Perhaps you could upload a few screenshots to show what you mean? Thanks again.
Sorry for the lack of detail. I went back to the post and edited it for clarity. I can not (or can I 🤔?) put pictures in the comments. But I think I answered your questions below. Thank you for the feedback btw Helps me make better content. If you don’t have a sewing machine you could baste the center back seam closed and then iron the seam allowances open and flat. Mimicking the above instructions for machine basting the seam closed. (The "above" instructions are in the post: thedailysew.com/blog/2018/06/how-to-sew-in-a-zipper-by-hand/. but also from the video) Or, skip the basting and simply fold back the seam allowance on each side of the center back seam to the backside of the fabric. You are folding the entire amount of seam allowance, on the stitch line where the zipper is going to go. Example; Your pattern calls for 5/8" seam allowance. You will fold back 5/8" to the backside of the fabric. Press this fold flat. Place the zipper face down on the wrong side of the garment/fabric. Unzip the zipper so you can see what you're doing to line up the zipper teeth with the edge of the fold. (This is the fold you just pressed. This is also the center back seam line) Remember the zipper is face down on the backside of the garment piece. The long edge of the zipper tape will be on top of the edge of the seam allowance, or close to it depending on the width of your seam allowance. The teeth are right ontop of that fold. If you looked down on this, you would see the teeth and only 1/16" to 1/8" of fabric peeking beyond the teeth. This is what is nice about basting the seam first, before laying the zipper down on the seam. You would know that the fabric, after sewing the zipper in, will "kiss" not overlap and not gap. So, maybe go back to the "hand baste the seam closed ;-) I'm sorry, there is never an easy answer Pin the zipper tape to the garment to hold it in place. Hand-baste the zipper to the garment. This stitching will be pulled out after you sew the zipper down so it does not have to be small, and should be in a color thread that you can see easily. There are woven lines in the zipper tape that act as guidelines. If you baste following one of these lines then your basting can be a guideline for your permanent stitches on the outside of the garment. Or you can mark in lines with a fabric marker.
Thanks! I think it would work for a concealed zip too - The stitch definitely would. Since the teeth of the invisible zipper turn in, you may need to change the positioning, but the prick stitch would be your stitch.
Sorry you found it confusing. Knowing how to put a zipper in by hand properly is a good skill especially when the zipper is going up your center back. A handset zipper is practically invisible, you don't need to pick out and redo any machine stitches that go off course and for delicate fabrics, like lace, it really is the only way to put in a zipper.
Ive been a seamstress for many years and have NEVER mastered machine stitching in a zipper. It was always a major source of frustration for me. Even having someone work with me more than once to sew in zippers i would always forget what they taught me the next time i wanted to sew something that required a zipper. So i gave up. But seeing there are those out there who can patiently teach someone to hand sew them in makes me want to try again. So thank you for this tutorial. God bless.
Thank you. I prefer to sew my zippers in by hand. Maybe I gave up on a beautiful machine set center zipper too soon but I was never satisfied with how mine turned out. I've gotten pretty fast at sewing in the zipper by hand and I never have to unpick it or part of it to make it look better ;-) Sometimes, hand sewing just works best. Thanks for watching the video.
My sewing machine is just a very simple one that only does straight stitches. It only came with a standard straight stitch foot and I am rather reticent about getting a zip foot only to find it not fitting. In haute couture, it is common for zips to be hand sewn, so you are not alone. :)
Just wanted to say a huge huge thank you for this tutorial! I made my first ever dress entirely by hand and was really really nervous about putting in the zipper in case I messed up or misaligned the seams - this tutorial (and your other video on the various backstitches) eased my worries so much and the dress looks great! Thank you for all that you do
Ah, thanks. I'm really glad the video was helpful but happier that your dress looks great (I love clothes ;-)
Thank you so much! I'm a beginner, this is so much easier, than trying to do it with a machine. I was almost frustrated to tears, trying to do this on my sewing machine.
Yes - me too! When I was just starting to sew I would want to quit every time I came to the zipper. Eventually, I learned to only buy patterns that didn't have a zipper. When I learned I could put zippers in by hand, faster and better looking, - game-changer! I'm so happy you found this helpful.
Very nice, I use this method on high priced bridal alterations.
The fabrics are often very shear or delicate so I baste away from the line I’ll use for my permanent prick stitches.
I avoid entangling my basting thread into the finishing work just to be sure I don’t damage any stitches.
Smart.
Oooh oh lo
Thank you so much for doing this zipper! It was so much easier then any I have seen so far! Joanne
For got to say I do most of my sewing by hand so this was really great for me!
Yay! I’m glad this video was helpful. I like sewing by hand. It’s calming and it goes slow enough that mistakes are usually avoided.
Can't wait to try this! (And meet you!)
even though a machine can put in a zipper, I like how it looks when put in by hand so much better
Very nice video! I just knitted a cardigan that looks more like a hoodie and would likely need a front zipper.
Oh, I hadn't thought about zippers for a hand-knitted cardigan. This stitch should do the job. How wonderful to be able to knit your own hoodie. Learning how to knit is on my list.
@@TheDailySew After two years of knitting with thread, I can’t bring myself to restart! It has to be a hoodie with a zipper now! Just need to find a way to attach a hood to the body next.
@@meghavarshinikrishnaswamy2511 :-) whip stitch?
@@TheDailySew yes! After I finish making a hood. First venture in the world of cables!
Thank you, I love the video, but I can’t picture this:
“If you don’t have a sewing machine fold back the seam allowance on each side of center back, press and baste the seam allowance down to the garment, then open up the zipper and pin it face down along each edge so the zipper teeth are just inside the fold of the folded back seam allowance.”
I don’t have a machine, which is why I’m here. How much to fold the seam allowance and which way? To where? The center? Why are we unzipping the zipper? How far do we move the teeth- how far is “just inside the fold”? What does that look like? Do we then sew through 4 layers of fabric?
It would be wonderful if you could describe the distances and and locations in more detail. Perhaps you could upload a few screenshots to show what you mean? Thanks again.
Sorry for the lack of detail. I went back to the post and edited it for clarity. I can not (or can I 🤔?) put pictures in the comments. But I think I answered your questions below. Thank you for the feedback btw Helps me make better content.
If you don’t have a sewing machine you could baste the center back seam closed and then iron the seam allowances open and flat. Mimicking the above instructions for machine basting the seam closed. (The "above" instructions are in the post: thedailysew.com/blog/2018/06/how-to-sew-in-a-zipper-by-hand/. but also from the video)
Or, skip the basting and simply fold back the seam allowance on each side of the center back seam to the backside of the fabric. You are folding the entire amount of seam allowance, on the stitch line where the zipper is going to go. Example; Your pattern calls for 5/8" seam allowance. You will fold back 5/8" to the backside of the fabric. Press this fold flat.
Place the zipper face down on the wrong side of the garment/fabric. Unzip the zipper so you can see what you're doing to line up the zipper teeth with the edge of the fold. (This is the fold you just pressed. This is also the center back seam line) Remember the zipper is face down on the backside of the garment piece. The long edge of the zipper tape will be on top of the edge of the seam allowance, or close to it depending on the width of your seam allowance. The teeth are right ontop of that fold. If you looked down on this, you would see the teeth and only 1/16" to 1/8" of fabric peeking beyond the teeth. This is what is nice about basting the seam first, before laying the zipper down on the seam. You would know that the fabric, after sewing the zipper in, will "kiss" not overlap and not gap. So, maybe go back to the "hand baste the seam closed ;-) I'm sorry, there is never an easy answer
Pin the zipper tape to the garment to hold it in place.
Hand-baste the zipper to the garment. This stitching will be pulled out after you sew the zipper down so it does not have to be small, and should be in a color thread that you can see easily.
There are woven lines in the zipper tape that act as guidelines. If you baste following one of these lines then your basting can be a guideline for your permanent stitches on the outside of the garment. Or you can mark in lines with a fabric marker.
Got it! It’s very clear now. Thank you so much for taking the time to clarify this! I can’t wait to get started. 🪡
New to your channel. This is amazing! Takes out all the stress of machining a zip in. Would this also work for a concealed zip as well?
Thanks! I think it would work for a concealed zip too - The stitch definitely would. Since the teeth of the invisible zipper turn in, you may need to change the positioning, but the prick stitch would be your stitch.
Thank you for the tips :)
Fantastic finish!
Thank you. Hope you find putting in a zipper by hand useful and easy:-)
Hi, Mary !!! New sub#468. I enjoyed your video very much. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks and thanks for subscribing :-)
Way too many steps and confusing. Must have been nothing else to teach us.😳
Sorry you found it confusing. Knowing how to put a zipper in by hand properly is a good skill especially when the zipper is going up your center back. A handset zipper is practically invisible, you don't need to pick out and redo any machine stitches that go off course and for delicate fabrics, like lace, it really is the only way to put in a zipper.
He must have been watching something else. I found it clear and helpful!! Thanks!