How to Insert a Zip

Decide on the best position for your zip. Take your two pieces of fabric and stitch them together with a flat seam, right sides facing. Leave a gap in the center that matches the length of your zipper teeth plus 5 mm.

Using a different, bright-colored thread, tack the opening of the seam together so that it does not slip apart when inserting the zip. Lay the fabric reverse side up and press open your seam with an iron.

Open the zip about half way and lay it face down centrally along the line of your opening. Pin one side of the zip in place and tack through both layers of fabric, making sure the line of the stitching is just 3 mm from the teeth of the zip. It is very important that you stitch as close to the zip teeth as possible.

Close the zip fully and pin and tack the other side of the zip just 3 mm from the teeth of the zip. Turn over your fabric and check the position of the zip and check that there are no openings in the seam.

With the fabric right side up, removes all pins then machine stitch the zip in place. Top stitch through all layers of the fabric, just outside the line of tacking. You will need to use a zip foot attachment when you do this. Do not attempt to attach a zip using a regular foot on your sewing machine. It is important you stitch closely to the teeth of the zip and only a zip foot attachment will let you do this.

Stitch across each end of the zip, as close as possible to where the teeth end. Remove the tacking and give the fabric a final press with the iron.

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