Zipper question

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Subject

Author

Date

Zipper question

Lee & Cathi Thomas

01-31-2007

Kate XXXXXX

Lee & Cathi Tho...

BEI Design

Kate XXXXXX

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Posted by Lee & Cathi Thomas on January 31, 2007, 9:16 am

I plan on making a couple of bolsters (cylinder shaped) for my son and his
new wife. I've made them before, but the only size form I could find this
time is 6" X 20". After I bought them, I started thinking that it might be
hard to put in a long zipper. I would probably normally use a 16-18"
zipper. I don't really like the idea of putting in a smaller, maybe 9",
zipper, but I think it would be easier to sew around if I put it off center.
I'm one of those mathematical, symmetrical kind of people. As I was walking
the puppy last night, the idea of an invisible zipper occurred to me. How
hard would it be to put one into the middle of a seam instead of at one end?
Would you sew above the pull after the zipper was inserted just like you do
at the bottom? I've only done one, and it was the standard skirt side
zipper. I could sure use some expert advice. Thanks.

Posted by Kate XXXXXX on January 31, 2007, 10:23 am

Lee & Cathi Thomas wrote:

> I plan on making a couple of bolsters (cylinder shaped) for my son and his

> new wife. I've made them before, but the only size form I could find this

> time is 6" X 20". After I bought them, I started thinking that it might be

> hard to put in a long zipper. I would probably normally use a 16-18"

> zipper. I don't really like the idea of putting in a smaller, maybe 9",

> zipper, but I think it would be easier to sew around if I put it off center.

> I'm one of those mathematical, symmetrical kind of people. As I was walking

> the puppy last night, the idea of an invisible zipper occurred to me. How

> hard would it be to put one into the middle of a seam instead of at one end?

> Would you sew above the pull after the zipper was inserted just like you do

> at the bottom? I've only done one, and it was the standard skirt side

> zipper. I could sure use some expert advice. Thanks.

Yes, just the same way! :) I put one in the back of a velvet gown with
a big collar all across the back (a historic recreation with easy access
for one without a ladies maid!), and I did just that: put the zip in
first, sewed up the seams, and finished the last inch or so right up to
the end of the zip opening by hand. Worked a treat in that, and I can't
see why it shouldn't for a bolster cover.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Posted by Lee & Cathi Thomas on February 1, 2007, 9:33 am

Thanks Kate, that's what I thought. Any reason not to machine stitch above
the tab?

Cathi

> Lee & Cathi Thomas wrote:

>> I plan on making a couple of bolsters (cylinder shaped) for my son and

>> his new wife. I've made them before, but the only size form I could find

>> this time is 6" X 20". After I bought them, I started thinking that it

>> might be hard to put in a long zipper. I would probably normally use a

>> 16-18" zipper. I don't really like the idea of putting in a smaller,

>> maybe 9", zipper, but I think it would be easier to sew around if I put

>> it off center. I'm one of those mathematical, symmetrical kind of people.

>> As I was walking the puppy last night, the idea of an invisible zipper

>> occurred to me. How hard would it be to put one into the middle of a

>> seam instead of at one end? Would you sew above the pull after the zipper

>> was inserted just like you do at the bottom? I've only done one, and it

>> was the standard skirt side zipper. I could sure use some expert advice.

>> Thanks.

> Yes, just the same way! :) I put one in the back of a velvet gown with a

> big collar all across the back (a historic recreation with easy access for

> one without a ladies maid!), and I did just that: put the zip in first,

> sewed up the seams, and finished the last inch or so right up to the end

> of the zip opening by hand. Worked a treat in that, and I can't see why

> it shouldn't for a bolster cover.

> --

> Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls

> Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

> http://www.katedicey.co.uk

> Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Posted by BEI Design on February 1, 2007, 4:33 pm

Lee & Cathi Thomas wrote:

> Thanks Kate, that's what I thought. Any reason not to

> machine stitch above the tab?

I'm not Kate, but here is a link to my sewing site, where I
describe my method for inserting an invisible zipper:
http://home.comcast.net/~beidesign/wsb/html/view.cgi-photo.html--SiteID-1532860.html

I always apply an invisible zipper in this order:

1. sew both sides of the zipper in place.
2. *Hand stitch* the seam for about an inch below the bottom of
the zipper.
3. Using a zipper foot, sew the remainder of the seam. (IOW, I
do not sew the seam *at all*, until the zipper is in place.)

In your case, I would also hand sew the first inch above the
zipper, too, and then machine sew the balance of the seam.

You can (and invisible zip directions usually say to) sew the
seam with a zipper foot starting at the bottom of the zipper, but
I have found that hand stitching that first inch results in a
much smoother insertion.

But, YMMV,

Beverly

Posted by Kate XXXXXX on February 1, 2007, 4:58 pm

Lee & Cathi Thomas wrote:

> Thanks Kate, that's what I thought. Any reason not to machine stitch above

> the tab?

I machine the main part of the seam above and below the zipper at each
end, but finish the last inch or so by hand for a neater look on
clothes. For a bolster you might get close enough with the zipper foot. :)

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

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