Though I do prefer an invisible zipper, sometimes it just isn’t practical. So I usually end up centering an all purpose zip. This is when you sew the seam before installing the zip, and then top stitch on the right side of the fabric, on either side of the seamline, avoiding the zipper teeth.
The problem is you quite often end up with a bubble around the zipper pull as it hits the zipper foot. I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for getting around this by opening the zipper and sewing each side seperately, then zipping it up and finishing blah blah blah. But honestly I find that to be really fidley.
I prefer to do it this way:
NOTE: the top of the garment or the folded over edge of the zipper becomes the zipper stop.
UPDATE: A lot of people have been asking me what to do with the excess zipper at the top. For a skirt this is easy, you can just leave the ends sticking up and encase them in the waistband. For a dress, you can fold it to the sides as I have done in the picture. Or you could install the zipper before the lining, leave the ends sticking straight up and then when you sewed the lining to the dress, and turned it to the inside of the dress, the excess would be enclosed in the lining.
I love doing centered zippers this way, and they always turn out really well.
great idea! you should post this as a burdastyle how-to also! people would find this very helpful :)
Thanks elily00 that’s a great suggestion… I just added it as a how to on burdastyle.
I know that you posted this a while ago, but thanks for the tips! Installing zippers is always a struggle for me, so I can’t wait to try out your tips. :)
Thanks Trisha, I think zippers are a struggle for most people!! I’m really glad my tutorial helped you out!
Well I just finished smacking myself on the forehead repeating, “Why didn’t I think of this?” about 5 times.
Thank you very much for not only posting this, but making it so incredibly clear.
I have a long roll of zipper tape and pulls that you install yourself so I can cut any length I need. Again, thanks!
lol! thanks lorrwill :)I’m sooo glad it help you!
that is a great tip…cant wait to try this
Thanks! I hate zippers!
You made it look so easy! I normally dred putting in the zipper because there is a chance I will totally ruin my hard work! I’m feeling much more confident now! Thanks for the great tutorial!
thanks, you just help me do my fashion project! :)
Just found this tutorial and it is great! I’m terrified of zippers (think it was from my school Home Ec class). Yes, I’m that old and I still avoid zips. Thank you for taking time to put this tut together and sharing it. I think I can do this!
Hi, this might be a silly question… I’m at step 7 and I’m stuck. How do I close it all up without the stitches showing on the outside and messing up the neat zip? Do I need to hand stitch the inside of the zip?
Hi Natalie!
The lining hides all the raw edges. If you see on Step 6 with it unfolded, when you fold the lining down you would then need to either handstitch the lining to the edge of the zipper tape to close it all up, or you could topstitch right over with your sewing machine, along the line of stitching you originally made to attach your zipper.
XOXO
Very helpful. I will share this with my American Sewing Guild Chapter.
Wow, what a great idea, thanks for sharing!
Amazing! it worked perfectly for me…. thank you for this tutorial x