Comments on: Shorten a separating zipper

By: Sabine

Sabine — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:43:02 +0000

Good point, I will have to give it a try some day.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:21:59 +0000

This is a woven tape that will fray. Cutting off the tape last minimizes the stressors on the weave. I also trim *plastic* teeth with side cutters and then pull off the remnants but these teeth are metal and yeah, the side cutters would probably cut those too but why mar the edge of the cutting surface if pulling is neater and cleaner? Feel free to link to the entry.

By: Sabine

Sabine — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:48:55 +0000

Is there a specific reason why you cut the teeth off first and then cut the zipper tape?
I always do it the other way around, cutting the tape first, 6 teeth above finished length for nylon and 8 teeth above finished length for metal teeth zippers and generally just use sidecutters to cut off the teeth . I am also in the process of writing a tutorial for basic alterations, which includes sewing in separable zippers. Would you like me to share? There will be pictures too.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:07:21 +0000

Ack! I just found some of this here and my, it is expensive. $4.70 for goods 20" wide. And, they're out of stock so I guess it sells well. The stuff I have is three times as wide, maybe I should sell it for $14 a yard? How about $7 a yard? If anybody is interested, you can have it for the price of a (4 yd minimum) $30 donation to the marathon I'm raising money for which will include shipping. What a deal, interfacing AND it's a tax deductible charitable expense.

By: Carol Kimball

Carol Kimball — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:25:31 +0000

Cool fuse tape is (now) used extensively by the leather industry. I got some at a Kathryn Brenne workshop. Search “Meet Henry Hibbard” for a possible link to source(s)?

Google “cool fuse interfacing” for other sources.

By: J C Sprowls

J C Sprowls — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 21:59:19 +0000

Then, try cool fuse interfacing. I don’t recall any specific product names at the moment. But, I do recall that the adhesive bonds at (or below) 280F; and, was specifically designed as a result of microfibres coming onto the market.

By: Roseana Auten

Roseana Auten — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 05:59:18 +0000

Fusing interfacing to fleece? I’ve been told, No can do because the fleece can’t take the sustained heat required to get Fusi-Knit to bond. Enlighten me!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:27:59 +0000

The puller doesn’t just zip right off the top when you do this? Does the folded tape edge keep it from coming off?

Good point! Thanks for bringing that up.
One, before it’s sewn in, you can put in top stops, little metal bendy things that wrap around the tape at the top. Me, I’ve never used those. The reason is, once the thing is sewn and finished in the garment, the slide won’t come off; the top of the garment edge secures it. Second, if during the process of sewing it the slide does come off, it’s a separating zipper; you can feed the slider right back on, no problem.

By: Christy B.

Christy B. — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 01:24:27 +0000

The puller doesn’t just zip right off the top when you do this? Does the folded tape edge keep it from coming off?