Zealous for Zippers!

Yes. I really do like to work with zippers. I'm not even being sarcastic. They've never been a problem for me and I actually think they are fun! :) Ok, ok, before you hurt me - I was going to share my zipper trick here:

Secret Weapon #1:

The Zipper foot. If you don't have one, you need to get one. They help you get a close stitch to hard items that you want to sew around without breaking your needle or pushing on the foot. If your machine doesn't support a zipper foot, then it's time you bought a new machine. ;)

Secret Weapon #2:

WashAway Wonder Tape. This tape is awesome. I use it for just about every zipper I sew and on some other things.Like slippery fabrics that just don't stay pinned properly (i.e. minky). This tape is double sided and repositionable. You can sew through it and it will not gunk up your needle or damage your machine. Finally, It washes away! No gunk or residue is left. Typically, I hate basting with thread because you have to take it out once you put in your final stitches or risk the basted stitches showing through on your masterpiece! In many cases I just use a little Wonder tape and I'm all set.
Here's how to use this tape to make zippers a breeze. Then you can be zealous with me! Get your zipper, your material and some WashAway wonder tape!

Step 1: Apply the tape to one side of your zipper. Line the edge of the tape with the edge of the zipper material on the correct(right side up) side of the zipper.




Step 2: Peel off the protective cover. Now you will have a sticky line on your zipper.
Step 3: Line up your fabric Right side against the tape edge of fabric flush with sticky edge of zipper.
Tada & Oops! I wanted the zipper to be in the middle of my fabric!

Have no fear! The tape is re-positionable! See:

All fixed:

Step 4: get to your machine and have your zipper foot all set up:


Put your fabric and zipper piece under the zipper foot so that the foot is pressed right against the zipper.

Place the needle in the down position and get ready to sew:


Step 6: Sew the zipper to the material. Easy-peasy:

Oh my! It seems I have come to a stop...why? (I'm not really this obnoxious, I promise.)


Ah, the zipper pull is in the way of the foot. It's ok.

Make sure the needle is in the down position and then lift up your presser foot:


Pull back the zipper pull so that it is out of the way of your foot:

Don't forget to put the foot back down! (It happens to me...a lot.)
Finish sewing your zipper:

Step 7: Fold over the material so that the right side is showing and you can see your zipper. Iron a nice crease there:

Step 8: Back to the machine! Switch your zipper foot to the other side. The foot still needs to be up against the zipper, however by changing the side of the material, the zipper is on the opposite side now.

Sew, sew, sew:

And done! Tada! See that wasn't so bad, was it? Now go do the other side. =)



Come on, you know you are zealous for zippers now. If this was confusing, please let me know, so that I can revise!

PS. Order a zipper or some WashAway wonder tape and get 10% off of your entire order by entering the word Zealous in the notes to seller on Etsy or using this cool new coupon code, ZEALOUS, at my ArtFire shop!