My First Zipper

A couple weekends ago, I sewed my very first zipper and I just wanted to share it with you all.  Since I am relatively new to sewing, anything outside of the ordinary straight stitch sounds scary to me, so naturally, I was deathly afraid of sewing a zipper.  However, I found a very simple and detailed tutorial on how to make a zippered pouch on Cinderberry Stitches and so I decided to take the plunge and try it out.  What have I got to lose anyways??  (Besides some money spent on a zipper.)  Part 1 explains the measurements of the fabric and has step-by-step instructions on how to sew the zipper.  Part 2 shows you how to make the rest of the pouch!  When my mom gave me her machine she also gave me a box of random little plastic/metal gadgets which at the time I had no idea what they were… but I was able to dig through it and found the one that looked like a zipper foot!  A zipper foot ensures that your stitches are next to and really close to the zipper.  My husband, the engineer that he is, was able to help me figure out how to install the foot, whew!

That really wasn’t so bad!!  The only thing that was a bit different was that her tutorial required a 7 inch zipper and I had already bought a 6 inch zipper so I needed to re-adjust my measurements (which apparently I did wrong since my pouch turned out to be a square rather than a rectangle).  And if you’re thinking, that fabric looks familiar, yup, you’re right, it’s the same one I used for my Bag, it’s Amy Butler fabric and I just can’t get enough of it!  I’m thinking about making some more little pouches, maybe a small makeup bag, perhaps a jewelry roll… we shall see! And then eventually I’ll need to move on to an invisible zipper because that looks better in skirts and dresses! 🙂

35 Comments

  1. April 20, 2010 / 8:05 am

    Nice nice! It looks very well made! (Just as you said maybe the invisible zipper would be even better…)
    Love the fabric you chose!
    Brava!
    Ciao!
    Suze

  2. April 20, 2010 / 8:37 am

    Zippers intimidate me too – I am pretty much a straight-stitch gal. Nice job on the purse and choice of fabric (*chanting* A-my-But-ler, A-my-But-ler, A-my-But-ler . . . )

  3. April 20, 2010 / 9:08 am

    It looks awesome! Putting in your first zipper is such a big accomplishment – once you conquer that fear, you are free to sew so many new things. Congrats!

    • April 20, 2010 / 9:17 am

      @Alli Thanks Alli!! Soon, I will make the Burdastyle Marie skirt with the zipper!!! =)

  4. April 20, 2010 / 9:18 am

    great job Sandy! that’s awesome. thanks for sharing the tutorial. i might have to try and tackle learning how to sew a zipper but first i will need a zipper foot.

  5. April 20, 2010 / 10:24 am

    I love it! The pattern is great and you did a great job on the zipper! I learned how to sew on a zipper in high school, but I probably don’t know how to do it anymore…I don’t have a sewing machine!

  6. April 20, 2010 / 10:26 am

    Yay! Good job! I can sew buttons…and that’s it. But I really want to learn how to do so much more! My husband’s mom is a seamstress so I know she’ll be able to teach me…I just need to find the motivation!

  7. April 20, 2010 / 10:36 am

    great job sandy … i wouldnt even try to tackle sewing a zipper… i’m a skilled button sewer only…lol

  8. April 20, 2010 / 12:57 pm

    wow! awesome job! looks so pro. you should open an etsy shop, seriously!

  9. April 20, 2010 / 1:34 pm

    That pouch is adorable, well done! Doesn’t it feel so good to jump into a project that scares you and rock it?
    I’m going to have to check out that tutorial. I’ve been meaning to make a couple of pillows for our sofa but I want to be able to wash the covers so they definitely need zippers.

    • April 20, 2010 / 1:36 pm

      @hip hip gin gin OHHH I just sewed a pillow cover that doesn’t require a zipper… it’s a foldover pillow that I found on Apartment Therapy! I will be blogging about it soon!! =)

  10. April 20, 2010 / 1:38 pm

    Sandy!!!! Yay your first zipper. Awesomeness! I remember when I sewed my first zipper. It was quite intimidating. 🙂 I’m still no “pro” at it, but I get by… and I’ve been sewing all these years (of course only self taught) and I still haven’t even attempted an invisible zipper! Let’s do it together!! We can both share our first attempts.. hee hee.

    Hope you’re having a fabulous day!! HUGS.

    xx Love & Aloha

  11. April 20, 2010 / 2:09 pm

    super-cute fabric Sandy! And great job!!!!
    Denalee

  12. April 20, 2010 / 3:10 pm

    Truly awesome! You go girl. I had to learn to befriend the machine since I didn’t take any formal classes. I’m no expert but I can get by. You’re talented so I can’t wait to see what you’ll whip up now that you’re fearless.

  13. April 20, 2010 / 3:17 pm

    That is so cute! I wish I could sew but my sewing machine broke 🙁

  14. April 20, 2010 / 3:45 pm

    Looks good! I’ve never really sewn anything.. I don’t even own a sewing machine, but I want to eventually try it because it seems like everything has sewing involved!

  15. April 20, 2010 / 6:40 pm

    Congratulations on successful zipper installation! I think thebag is really cutee square! For invisible zipper installation, the directions in Sew U by Wendy Mullin are great. I never truly had an invisible zipper until I followed her instructions.

  16. April 20, 2010 / 8:23 pm

    Wow! That looks really lovely! Great job with the zipper, that always seems to mess people up.

    When I had sewing lessons my teacher was excellent at teaching how to sew zippers on.

  17. April 20, 2010 / 10:57 pm

    Sandy! This is fantastically cute! You did such an awesome job. And think of all the things you can do now! Can’t wait to see what’s next.

  18. April 21, 2010 / 12:29 am

    Nice job. Your zipper looks great! This is a super fun post!

  19. April 21, 2010 / 12:35 am

    Great job, Sandy! I remember my first zipper and it didn’t look nearly this good. It is definitely a milestone in sewing skills! xo – g

  20. April 21, 2010 / 1:57 am

    Hi Miss Super Duper Talented! Zippers were always on my “too scared to try it” list. I figured I’d just screw it up and waste a lot of zippers. But you make it look so easy! Well done!!!!

    I’m not sure if that creme really works but people say it does wonders. I almost bought it once but ended up getting the one by Nivea. That actually works but you have use it EVERY day. It’s a pain.

  21. April 21, 2010 / 2:16 am

    Sandy! You did so great! Thanks for the tutorials! Oh yes, please make more pouches! I can’t wait to see them! 🙂

  22. April 21, 2010 / 10:54 am

    That’s great!! Never knew zipper was one of “most feared”! I have been taking zippers for granted! Now I am afraid to put zippers on things… especially on knits… hmm..

  23. April 21, 2010 / 5:38 pm

    so handy Sandy! Great work!!

  24. April 21, 2010 / 7:12 pm

    fantastic job! i’m still afraid of my machine, so the thought of a zipper terrifies me, lol. so nice to see what you’re making 🙂

  25. April 21, 2010 / 7:22 pm

    It’s SO cute, Sandy! Look at you – a lady of SO many talents! xoxo

  26. April 22, 2010 / 8:31 am

    yay. this is fab. you did a great job for your first zipper project. xo! lou

  27. April 22, 2010 / 7:20 pm

    How nice! 🙂 Sewing should be on every woman’s curriculum! I should get back on it!

  28. tintin
    April 25, 2010 / 8:22 pm

    yayyy! your first zipper!! you did a great job =)

  29. April 29, 2010 / 3:52 pm

    you are a rockstar with the sewing machine! i wish i was nearly as good. i am trying to get more practice. all your projects are AWESOME!

  30. irene
    April 30, 2010 / 11:15 am

    oh I’m so going to try to make one!

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