Comments on: Lapped zipper construction

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:04:57 +0000

The only way to really know is to see your sewn sample for comparison. I did another of these a few months ago and it came out a bit off, I later examined it and saw it was because I didn't take the full allowance so I did it again and it was fine. I know that one other time I did this that it was off but that was because the print out was not set to 100%. I was planning to actually digitize this rather than scanning which would ensure more consistent output but haven't gotten to it yet. Maybe I can get to it next week. There's another in the forum you might like, a vintage method to create the effect of an invisible zipper. Since you have the book, you could join.

By: Monica

Monica — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:37:37 +0000

Thanks, Kathleen! I must have printed it out wrong, because the right facing is a lot longer than the right back.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gyozafan/5643692414/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gyozafan/5643123851/in/photostream/

It is strange, though — everything else lines up perfectly. In any case, it’s mostly a curiosity for me — your centered zipper tutorial was also enlightening and produced such great results it’s hard to imagine needing another installation method.

I think I’ve read through most of your archives and your book. I’m a beginning sewist and enjoyed these very much, so thank you for sharing your work.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:42:45 +0000

Hi Monica, yes they should be aligned neatly. I’m guessing there was an issue with the pattern. Perhaps you cut two of one piece? Each side has its own pattern.

By: Monica

Monica — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:52:03 +0000

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. Are the shoulder seams supposed to be aligned the right side after attaching the facings to the zipper? I find mine to be about half an inch too long.

By: Marie-Noëlle

Marie-Noëlle — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:08:25 +0000

I can’t thank you enough for this awesome tuturial and blog.
I am going to use this for cushion covers for a client.

By: Yvonne in England

Yvonne in England — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:56:48 +0000

Thank you for this excellent explanation of *how* to pefect this opening. Even when I was at school, I used to tell the teacher that there wasn’t enough fabric on the pattern to make a proper lapped construction. Now I know why. You can’t just use ‘mirror’ pieces for the left- and right-hand sides. I must track down that teacher – its only 40 years ago. ;-)

By: Sue Whelan

Sue Whelan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:45:32 +0000

Fabulous instructions, Kathleen. Thank you. Now I know why my lapped zippers never looked as good as RTW: the instructions were dreadful. I’m going to try using the flat side of my ball-peen hammer (that I normally use for jewellery making) on the corners. The one home-sewing maven who often recommends using a hammer to flatten seams is Sandra Betzina. I always wondered where she got the idea from; now, I know :-)

By: Sophie Kats

Sophie Kats — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:39:55 +0000

You are absolutely AMAZING!
You couldn’t have explained it any clearer if you were standing next to me :-)
THANK YOU!
My zips will look professional!
Much obliged.

By: Kerrie

Kerrie — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:22:58 +0000

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you for sharing this elusive method and making it achievable.

By: Nicky

Nicky — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:53:55 +0000

Thank you so much for this tutorial Kathleen!