Closures are an undeniably important part of a garment and unavoidable if you plan on growing your garment sewing repertoire. Zippers and buttonholes don’t have to be something to be dreaded. They can be really fun and they can even be the focal point of a garment.
In this class Nicki LaFoille demonstrates how to insert zippers in several different ways: the lapped zipper, which is great in the side seam for a professional, the concealed zipper and the exposed zipper.
There are a lot of different ways to get the same kind of look for an exposed zipper, but used for different fabric and project scenarios. Nicki will demonstrate how to insert an exposed zipper in a seam and without a seam.
Nicki explains how to create a buttonhole by simply using a buttonhole foot and using the zigzag stitch on your machine. In-seam buttonholes are easy, understated and professional-looking. Nicki shows you how they’re created and what design styles they are suitable for.
Learn the steps to get professional looking bound buttonholes. This detail adds a vintage, couture look to garments, and they don’t have to only be used on wool jackets. Insert a bound buttonhole in a garment and it instantly adds a retro elegance that’s always in style. Nicki shows you two different bound buttonhole methods to choose from.
Lastly learn about loops as closures, either elastic cord or tubing, and how to alter a pattern from buttonholes to buttons and loops.
In addition you will get two printable PDF bonus materials that include step-by-step instruction.
Class Sessions
Session 1: Introduction
3:42
Get an overview of what you will learn in this course, such as inserting zippers using different methods and how to create a bound buttonhole.
Session 2: Zippers
1:02:10
Learn how to insert a lapped zipper and an exposed zipper. Nicki demonstrates several different exposed zipper methods, both with a seam and without.
Session 3: Button Holes
36:55
Discover three different buttonhole methods. Nicki explains how to create a buttonhole simply using the zigzag stitch on your machine. Nicki also demonstrates how to create easy in-seam buttonholes and explains what design styles they are suitable for. Plus learn the steps to get professional looking bound buttonholes using two different methods.
Session 4: Buttons & Loops
15:48
Nicki shows you how to alter a pattern from buttonholes to button loops. Plus learn how to create your own fabric loops and attach them to a garment using a facing.
Your Instructor
Nicki LaFoille
Nicki LaFoille has been sewing for over 20 years. After her grandmother taught her to hand sew at the tender age of 11, Nicki fell in love with the craft and went on to receive a degree in Apparel Design from Central Michigan University. She worked as Associate Editor, then freelance contributor for Sew News, Sew It All and Creative Machine Embroidery magazines, and appeared as a guest on Sew It All TV. She lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her husband, daughter, and red worm colony. In addition to being a seamstress, she is an author of several novels and enjoys gardening and canning the bounty.
Bonus Material
Class Resource: Zipper with Topstitching
Download this PDF for step-by-step instructions and photos to creating an exposed zipper with topstitching.
Class Resource: Bound Buttonhole
Download this PDF for step-by-step instructions for the bound buttonhole patch method.
Meet your Expert Video
Download this video to hear Nicki discuss how to work around stumbling blocks, a reminder that there are always multiple ways to do something.
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
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