...But first, a Lydia update, because I am obsessed.
I have a 60 year-old roommate named Lydia. She's small, quiet, doesn't eat much, but packs quite a punch.  |
| Yay!!! |
I heart her, big time.
I am slowly getting used to life with a vintage Singer. I have to say, I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!! :-D There is a learning curve, as with all new things, but it is well worth it! I have so far made 3 skirts on her and will finish a 4th and 5th one by tomorrow evening, I am sure.
Anyway, onto a tutorial:
Inserting Zippers With Masking Tape
Note:
I hate, loathe, despise sewing zippers. Really. I can never get them looking right... until I tried this.
Step one:
Measure your zipper (bottom to top where the zipper pull ends and you see two small metal "stops" on each end)
Note:
I hate, loathe, despise sewing zippers. Really. I can never get them looking right... until I tried this.
Step one:
Measure your zipper (bottom to top where the zipper pull ends and you see two small metal "stops" on each end)
Step two:
Pin your two pieces of fabric together as usual. Measure from the top of the garment down to the same length as your zipper. Mark this measurement (I used two straight pins)
Step three:
Sew the fabric pieces together using a normal-length stitch, starting from the bottom of the garment to the top. On my machine, this is between 8 and 12 (stitches per inch).
Pin your two pieces of fabric together as usual. Measure from the top of the garment down to the same length as your zipper. Mark this measurement (I used two straight pins)
Step three:
Sew the fabric pieces together using a normal-length stitch, starting from the bottom of the garment to the top. On my machine, this is between 8 and 12 (stitches per inch).
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| A stack of post-its for a seam guide |
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| Medium stitch length |
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| Sew up to your marking |
Stop when you get to your marking and choose the longest stitch length (Mine is 6). Continue sewing to the top.
Step four:
 | ||
| Longest stitch length |
Press the seam open.
Optional: First, cut a notch where your marking is (not through the seam, though). This is only necessary because this pattern calls for all of the seams to be pressed in one direction and topstitched, whereas the zipper seam needs to be pressed open.
Optional: First, cut a notch where your marking is (not through the seam, though). This is only necessary because this pattern calls for all of the seams to be pressed in one direction and topstitched, whereas the zipper seam needs to be pressed open.
Step five:
Position your zipper (closed) with the coil (face down) lined up with the seam.
Position your zipper (closed) with the coil (face down) lined up with the seam.
Step six:
Apply masking or painter's tape across the zipper to adhere it temporarily to the garment.
Apply masking or painter's tape across the zipper to adhere it temporarily to the garment.
Step seven:
Sew around the zipper. I don't have the zipper foot yet (had to find one online) so I just used my regular foot and positioned it right next to the coil. Yep, sew right over the tape.
Sew around the zipper. I don't have the zipper foot yet (had to find one online) so I just used my regular foot and positioned it right next to the coil. Yep, sew right over the tape.
Step eight:
Peel the tape away. The needle should have perforated it enough for easy removal.
Peel the tape away. The needle should have perforated it enough for easy removal.
And remove your basting (long) stitches to open up the zipper seam...
TA DAAAA!
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