Vida Winter Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 In all my years of sewing I have never tackled zippers. Now I have to, and I'm in a slight panic. The project is a poodle skirt made of felt, and it takes a 7" zipper. Please tell me this is going to be okay. :scared: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I have never done one myself. I don't imagine them being too hard. It seems to be just a strip of fabric with the zipper on it all ready to be sewn in place. Maybe try youtube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I'm doing this for the first time too! The videos make it seem easy. Lots of tutorials on Youtube. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Do you have a zipper foot? It makes things easier..... But even without it you will be fine. ;) I would recommend basting it in, making sure you like the way it looks, then stitching it down. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 It is not hard to install a zipper although I'll admit that I have not put one in felt. I agree that a zipper foot will make you life easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 A zipper foot helps. My zippers are never quite right, but I only sew costumes, so I live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 My best advice is make the seam allowance bigger than the normal 5/8 inch. Gives more area to top stitch. I am no good at typing out directions but no, they don't have to be difficult. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 ladybugs Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 They are not hard even without a zipper foot (I seem to have mine in a safe place that is known only to God ;) ). You just need to sew carefully and remember, seam ripper is always there for the backup plan. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Zippers are easy. Here is a video from Oliver and S. Also check out Coletterie. Both sites have very good tutorials. http://oliverands.com/free-videos/how-to-sew-a-zipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yes, YouTube is your friend. My mom was an expert seamstress and she had me sewing my own clothes and costumes since my teens. But, any time things got complicated, instead of teaching me how to do it, she would just do that part herself. Since I never learned these things, I wasn't able to teach them to my daughter when she was starting to sew her 4-H projects. We have found everything we have needed from YouTube. One of dd's first projects was to sew a felt poodle skirt for herself for Halloween. While we were able to sew in the zipper with a machine, we had to hand sew the waistband because it was just too thick with that fabric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Do you have Washaway Wonder Tape? It's magical for zippers and other stuff that moves when you're trying to sew them. If not, sometimes a regular washable glue stick works. But I guess you're not going to be washing felt anyway, so just find something to stick it in place before sewing. If you don't have anything that won't gum up your machine, hand basting is worth the few extra minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thank you, everyone. I'll be working on it Friday and let you know how it turns out! Will be definitely be watching youtube. I learned how to clean a fish that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I sew, but I'm definite a novice and I put them in a project ages ago and it was super easy. I remember being shocked at how I shouldn't have been so intimidated. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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