{"id":3844,"date":"2018-06-04T11:59:23","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T15:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedailysew.com\/?p=3844"},"modified":"2024-07-27T16:00:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-27T20:00:29","slug":"how-to-sew-in-a-zipper-by-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/how-to-sew-in-a-zipper-by-hand\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sew in a Zipper by Hand"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3862\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-main.jpg\" alt=\"how to sew in a zipper by hand\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-main.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-main-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-main-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-main-640x430.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A\u00a0zipper sewn in by hand is a beautiful thing. Sometimes it&#8217;s a necessary thing too. But never is it daunting or frustrating.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll put in a zipper by hand especially if it&#8217;s a centered back zipper. I don&#8217;t care for the look of two rows of machine stitching going up my back. Stitches, that if not perfectly straight or even, show, no, shout to the world, and\u00a0the person behind me, their imperfections.<\/p>\n<p>The video demonstrates just how uncomplicated and easy it is to put a centered zipper in by hand.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OLN9ni40kfU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>And quality is never compromised\u00a0because the stitch is strong and you have complete control over it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3860\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-7.jpg\" alt=\"how to sew in a zipper by hand\" width=\"1000\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-7.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-7-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-7-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-7-640x403.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-7-216x136.jpg 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Beautiful and strong.<\/p>\n<h3>Close-Ups &amp; Details<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3858\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-5.jpg\" alt=\"baste in a zipper to sew it in by hand\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-5.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-5-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-5-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-5-640x430.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Machine baste the seam where the zipper is going, in this example, the center back seam. Open the seam allowances, and press them flat.<\/p>\n<p>Place the zipper face down along the basted seam. Center the teeth up with the seam. Pin the zipper down. You\u2019ll place the top zipper stop as far down from the neckline seam as your pattern directs. If your pattern left that out (they do on occasion) put the top zipper stop about 1\/4&#8243; below the seam line.<\/p>\n<p>Baste the zipper down through the seam allowance and the garment using an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedailysew.com\/2018\/04\/sewing-by-hand-even-basting-uneven-basting-tailor-basting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">uneven basting stitch.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are woven lines in the zipper tape that act as guidelines. If you baste following one of these lines then your basting can be a guideline for your permanent stitches on the outside of the garment. But don\u2019t worry if you have wobbly stitches like mine, just mark in guides.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>If you don\u2019t have a sewing machine<\/em> you could baste the center back seam closed and then iron the seam allowances open and flat. Mimicking the above instructions for machine basting the seam closed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Or, skip the basting and simply fold back the seam allowance on each side of the center back seam to the backside of the fabric. You are folding the entire amount of seam allowance, on the stitch line where the zipper is going to go. Example; Your pattern calls for 5\/8&#8243; seam allowance. You will fold back 5\/8&#8243;.\u00a0 Press this fold flat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Place the zipper face down on the wrong side of the garment\/fabric. Unzip the zipper so you can line up the zipper teeth with the edge of the fold. (This is the fold you just pressed. This is also the center back seam line)<\/p>\n<p>Remember the zipper is face down on the backside of the garment piece. The long edge of the zipper tape will be on top of the edge of the seam allowance, or close to it depending on the width of your seam allowance. The teeth are right on top of that fold. If you looked down on this, you would see the teeth and only 1\/16&#8243; to 1\/8&#8243; of fabric peeking beyond the teeth. This is what is nice about basting the seam first, before laying the zipper down on the seam. You would know that the fabric, after sewing the zipper in, will &#8220;kiss&#8221; not overlap, and not gap.<\/p>\n<p>Pin the zipper tape to the garment to hold it in place.<\/p>\n<p>Hand-baste the zipper to the garment. This stitching will be pulled out after you sew the zipper down so it does not have to be small, and should be in a color thread that you can see easily.<\/p>\n<p>There are woven lines in the zipper tape that act as guidelines. If you baste following one of these lines then your basting can be a guideline for your permanent stitches on the outside of the garment. Or you can mark in lines with a <a href=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2024\/04\/how-to-mark-your-fabric-for-sewing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fabric marker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3854\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-1.jpg\" alt=\"how to sew in a zipper by hand\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-1-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-1-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-1-640x430.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After tacking the zipper tape to the seam allowance with a couple of stitches for extra security,the needle is brought to the right side of the garment and the zipper is stitched on with a prick stitch.<\/p>\n<p>To do the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedailysew.com\/2018\/04\/sewing-by-hand-back-stitch-half-back-stitch-prick-stitch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prick stitch<\/a>, the needle comes up, and is inserted into the fabric\u00a0a couple of threads of the garment to the right (backward). The thread travels across the back to the left (forward) about \u00bc\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Read more and watch a video about the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedailysew.com\/2018\/04\/sewing-by-hand-back-stitch-half-back-stitch-prick-stitch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prick stitch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When there is only about 3\u201d of thread left, go to the wrong side of the garment and make a few stitches securing the zipper tape to the seam allowance before knotting and cutting the thread.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3855\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-2.jpg\" alt=\"how to sew in a zipper by hand\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-2-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-2-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-2-640x430.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When taking out the basting stitches don\u2019t pull too hard because you may have sewn through the basting thread. Snip those threads close to the fabric surface. The basting thread&#8217;s fibers will unwind and escape the thread sewn through them.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3857\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-4.jpg\" alt=\"how to sew a zipper in by hand using a prick stitch\" width=\"1000\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-4-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-4-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-4-640x430.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The prick stitches are almost invisible after a light pressing.<\/p>\n<p>If the zipper is going to be under strain, stitch the zipper tape to the seam allowance with a hemming stitch. I find with loose garments that are not worn every day\u00a0this isn&#8217;t necessary.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3859\" src=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-6.jpg\" alt=\"how to sew in a zipper by hand\" width=\"1000\" height=\"635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-6.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-6-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-6-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-6-640x406.jpg 640w, https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-6-216x136.jpg 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Behold your handiwork. Well done you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A\u00a0zipper sewn in by hand is a beautiful thing. Sometimes it&#8217;s a necessary thing too. But never is it daunting or frustrating. I&#8217;ll put in a zipper by hand especially if it&#8217;s a centered back zipper. I don&#8217;t care for the look of two rows of machine stitching going up my back. Stitches, that if [&hellip;]&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/how-to-sew-in-a-zipper-by-hand\/\" class=\"post-read-more\">Read more&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,275],"tags":[148,68,325],"class_list":["post-3844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sewing-skills","category-sewing-tips","tag-dressmaking","tag-hand-sewing","tag-zippers"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2018-6-tds-bg-sew-zipper-in-by-hand-ft.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EZxn-100","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3844"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5673,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3844\/revisions\/5673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedailysew.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}