7 Additional Uses for a Zipper Foot
Extending from the last tip and in celebration of “National Zipper Day”, it is wise to realize how many additional uses a plain old zipper foot can be used for. It has personally saved my day recently when topstitching close to a magnetic snap.
Double/Triple Piping
Use as a decorative edge or sewn into a seamline, double or triple piping gives a bolder and/or colorful look to garments and home decorating projects. Use a narrow 1/8″ cord and light to medium weight fabric.
Attaching Snap Tape
An easy way to create a snapped closure, this tape can be used in infants clothing, decorator pillows, or any place a quick and easy opening is desired.
Shirred Piping
A softer look than regular piping, this can be used as a decorative accent along garment edges and for home decorating projects.
Mock Welting
A type of self covered piping, the project and piping are cut as one and the is than cording inserted.
Circular Elastic Casing
Used for elastic edges with cut-on casing such as waistbands and cuffs, this technique gives a snug fit to the elastic, making it lay flat and smooth.
Topstitching Around Magnetic Snaps
When magnetic snaps are placed near the top edge of a bag, use a zipper foot to stitch the final topstitching without running over the snap.
Non-Stick Zipper Foot
Request a non-stick zipper foot when sewing any of the above combinations on leather, plastic, rubber coated or other hard-to-feed fabrics.
After reading these additional uses for a zipper foot, be sure it is guaranteed a front row seat in your sewing machine’s accessory box.
What other ways have you used a zipper foot? Login and post your comments below!
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
National Zipper Day
According to the Holidays For Every Day website (www.holidaysforeveryday.com) April 29th is National Zipper Day.
Patented in 1913, the zipper has helped simplify every day life from clothing, luggage to sporting equipment eliminating time-intensive hooks and eyes, buttons and ties. So why does this slick closure still have a bad rap in the sewing world? We must stop running the opposite direction when a pattern calls for a zipper! These days there are specialty feet and great directions for inserting the perfect zipper.
The most common frustration is how to sew accurately around the zipper tab. The easiest fix is to purchase a zipper 1″ to 2″ longer than needed. The added length will extend past one end and will be trimmed after it has been sewn.
Selecting the right type of zipper is the next question. Zippers are divided into categories by open or closed and metal or nylon/polyester. Dresses and pants require a closed zipper where as jackets require an open zipper. It is recommended to preshrink a zipper by soaking it in hot water for five minutes and air drying before use. Directions for how to replace a zipper are often printed on the zipper’s package. Be sure to keep the packaging until using the zipper!
When sewing a zipper, always try to sew both sides of the zipper in the same direction. This will eliminate the chance of the fabric shifting. Basting with thread or tape is another way to prevent a zipper from moving while being sewn. On lighter weight fabrics, consider interfacing or stabilizing the seam allowances before inserting a zipper to achieve a pucker free finish.
The most common zipper opening is centered down the back or front of a garment. Also, zippers placed in purses, pillows, and other items usually use a centered application. Centered zippers are ideal for everyday clothes, especially for fabric that’s heavyweight, has thick pile or needs to be matched at the seam. In a centered closure, the zipper is concealed by two flaps of fabric running along either side. When completed, two lines of stitching (one on each side of the zipper) are visible from the right side.
When zippers first became popular, most of them were sewn in what is called a lapped closure. Lapping a zipper hides the teeth better, which is why it is often the application of choice for dressy clothing or when the zipper doesn’t match the fabric exactly. It’s also an excellent choice for delicate fabric or pile fabrics that can catch in the zipper teeth. A lapped zipper is concealed by a single fabric flap; only one stitching line is visible from the right side. Lapped zippers are often used in the left side-seams of pants and skirts.
An invisible zipper is my favorite type of garment zipper. Though it requires a special invisible zipper foot and a “backwards way” of thinking for the zipper insertion, the outcome looks like a million bucks! It is worth test sewing this special zipper into a sample piece of fabric to fully appreciate its application.
Other unique zipper types is the cut-to-length zipper tape. This roll of zipper usually has 5 yards or more of zipper tape along with 10+ zipper pulls already placed on the zipper teeth. This allows for any length of zipper at any time. Just measure the length, slide a zipper pull in place and cut!
Many of you know that I love using a serger to put a zipper in our charity gift bags. When using a serger, the zipper should be at least 4″ longer than the desired length. These quick bags can be used for travel items, adjusted in size for a special pencil case or jewelry tote. To print off a free pattern click here.
So the next time a zipper is called for in a pattern, trust your sewing talents to following the pattern and enjoy the benefits that a zipper provides.
“Nothing has done so much to bring husbands and wives together as the dress that zips up the back.”
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Buying a Travel Size Sewing Machine
Summer is the time to be out doors, traveling and visiting friends and family, but that does not mean you have to leave your sewing at home! People sew just about anywhere they can: on a picnic table while camping with an extension cord, in an RV, at a lakeside cabin or hotel room. No matter the location, it is nice to take along a smaller sewing machine. If you do not already own a second machine, check out a list below before making a purchase.
Do you want the same brand of sewing machine so feet and accessories can interchange?
Will it mostly just be used for straight stitching?
Will you need a blanket stitch for appliqué?
Make sure the light is suitable based on what you are used to. Will you need to pack an extra light to see?
Do you want the needle up/needle down feature?
Select a machine heavy enough so it does not bounce while being used.
Will you be flying or driving to your destination? If flying, ship the sewing machine ahead in its original box via UPS or FEDEX with insurance. We recommend not checking the sewing machine in its box as luggage. Airlines will not be able to insure it for real replacement value.
These are the common questions that should be answered before selecting a second machine.
Sewing Machine Weigh In:
12 Pounds – Janome JEM
16 Pounds – Husqvarna Viking Emerald
18 Pounds – Bernina activa
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Sticky-Note Spray in a Can
The last tip “Liquid Pins in a Bottle†AKA Roxanne’s Basting glue was such a hit, I thought it suitable to continue along the same topic and talk about basting sprays. After discovering the large amount of people flocking in and calling on the phone wanting to purchase those “liquid pinsâ€, we now know that people want products that can help any way possible to save time and frustration!
So let’s say that a larger project needs to be temporarily held in place and you don’t want to use pins? This is where 505 Spray comes in!
Basting sprays have been available for many years, but with so many negatives. Too strong of an odor (do not spray in doors), it gums up the needle and then the sewing machine skips stitches, or people with asthma or breathing issues can not be around the toxic chemicals. If any one of these items have been an issue, then it is time to try 505 Spray. This temporary spray adhesive will dissipate after being exposed to air within 4-24 hours depending on humidity, is environmentally friendly containing no fluorocarbons (CFC’s), and is odorless and spotless.
Machine embroiders first started using 505 Spray years ago as a way to help stretchy fabric such as knits, sweatshirt fabric, fleeces and even denim from been stretched during the hooping process. Without this special “spray insurance†fabrics would appear puckered after the designs had been embroidered.
Then the quilters decided 505 Spray would help in basting smaller items such as table runners, place mats and small quilts without the use of safety pins. Since 505 Spray will wash out or dissipate over time, the uses can be unlimited.
Now people use 505 Spray for appliques, crafts and since it is acid-free even scrapbooking!
It is important to know that 505 spray is a ONE-SIDED stick. This means that the spray will not transfer to the second surface. Knowing this, it is best to always spray the batting or the stabilizer and not directly on the fabric. When using 505 Spray to temporarily adhere two pieces of fabric, spray the fabric that will not be seen or will be on the bottom or back side. It is also always best to spray lightly and spray as needed. Excess spray can sometimes spot or transfer to the second fabric. Too much spray has been used if the fabric becomes wet.
Having a can of 505 Spray and a bottle of Roxanne’s Glue always on hand might be just what saves the day during the next project on your list!
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Liquid Pins in a Bottle
It’s a proven fact that no one really likes to take time to baste. We want to jump right in and sew! Whether it is basting a quilt together by hand or with safety pins, preparing a zipper to be inserted properly or pressing in and pinning a hem in place prior to stitching. It would be safe to guess that since we sometimes omit this much needed step in prepping our project, it has led to numerous basting products readily available. One of my favorite temporarily basting products is Roxanne’s Glue-Baste-It. This 100% water soluble temporarily basting glue places a tiny, controlled dot of glue in the desired area. These glue dots will hold firmly until moistened or washed. Basting glue is designed specifically for temporarily bonding fabrics together. Roxanne’s Glue-Baste-It is available in two handy sizes – 2 oz. bottle with metal tip, and travel size with plastic tip.
Use this glue for one of many different applications such as:
Holding applique shapes to a background or to adjacent pieces
Adhere a quilt binding edge before stitching in place
Create and maintain a collage of fabrics or fabric scraps for art backgrounds
Temporarily hold hems in place prior to stitching
Hold bias trim for stems, Celtic work or stainglass leading in place until it can be permanently stitched in place.
Paste fabric pieces for a project color chart
Secure slippery fabrics or tiny edges together
Keep edges matching and corners neat
Though not much glue is needed to hold fabrics in place, always test glue when securing synthetic fabrics for the desired hold and color fastness. Most fabrics will not bleed but it is always good to test the glue on a scrap of fabric.
Basting with Roxanne’s Glue-Baste-It is quick and easy. Once everything is anchored down, the sewing machine will have no problem stitching through the glue dots nor will the needle become sticky. After construction is completed, the glue will wash out easily
Healthy Sewing Habit – April 2007
Contain the Choas. Designate an area that projects in progress can be temporarily stored while working on other projects.