Putting in a Zip

That sentence usually strikes fear into my heart and into the heart of many others also.      When I decided to make some zippered pouches I looked at "google" and found many different ways of making them.   I did a couple and took what I considered the best way from each of them for me but putting in the zip was always the same - fiddly and difficult.   They all mentioned using a  zip longer than the intended pouch but had you cutting them down to size or even smaller and making sure that the zipper pull or head was in the middle of the bag and open.    This is where the fiddly bit happens as you are moving the pull along  upside down was you sew.     After giving this some considerable thought and thinking that there must be a better way I just happened to stumble across someone else who had the same problem and her method was a light bulb moment for me.

I will not go into the actual pouch making but just the insertion of the zip.   So here is the secret to successfully getting the zip in without any bad thoughts or words flying around your sewing room.

Make sure that the zip is longer than the intended pouch but have it closed all the way and sew in.   This is what it will look like when in from the top.    As you can see the zip pull is nowhere along the area that you are stitching

Just give a quick press and you are ready for the next step which is to top sew down both sides to keep the lining in place.

Next step is to bring the zip pull into the middle of the pouch - this is most important as you will cut off the zip pull if you do not - and sew cross the zip where it meets the ends of the fabric.     Once you have sewn across the zip at both ends you then trim off the zip to fit the pouch size.

 A close up of the stitching across the ends of the zip can be seen below.

Then proceed to finish off your pouch with a perfectly non fiddly inserted zip.   I hope the above helps anyone else who finds putting zips in purses etc difficult.

Now as you know the first Friday night of the month is always FNWF run by Cheryll at Gone Stitchin" and last night I decided to do a little knitting just for a change.    I was inspired by Cheryll last month when she showed us her pretty beanies.    Being the slow knitter that I am the thought was I could start a beanie for Miss M for next year and it may be finished in time.....LOL.     I still have a long way to go.

Linking with Oh Scrap.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all