Sewing a Centered Zipper Application

By Debbie Colgrove, About.com Guide

• Set your sewing machine to a normal stitch length.
• Place the right side up and smooth the fabric and zipper.
• Starting at the top of the zipper, topstitch an even distance from the seam line, stopping with the needle down when you reach the straight pin. Tip Always watch a guide and not the needle when you are sewing. It is almost impossible to sew a straight line if your eyes are watching the needle. In this photo, my eye was watching the area with the arrow so I maintained an even distance the entire length of the zipper.
• At the bottom of the zipper, remove the straight pin and pivot.
• Sew perpendicular to the seam line, counting the number of stitches until you reach the seam line.
• Sew the same number of stitches on the other side of the seam line, stopping with the needle down.
• Pivot and sew the opposite side of the zipper, again keeping the topstitching an even distance from the seam line.
• Sew to the top of the zipper and back stitch in the top seam allowance, where the facing or waistband will be attached.
• Carefully remove the basting stitches that are holding the seam closed.

Previous

• A Centered Zipper
• Getting Started
• Baste, Press and Seam Finish
• Placing the Zipper
• Basting the Second Side
• Topstitch

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