How to Install a Zipper

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Duration: 12:05

Krista Williams demonstrates how to install a center (or slot) zipper using a self-basing zipper. She shows you every step including preparing the opening, marking a 5/8th inch seam, ironing the fusible interfacing and more.

Related Article: 6 Tricks for Sewing Zippers

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17 Responses to “How to Install a Zipper”

  1. Phoebe Fay Read

    Thank you for the video.
    I cannot baste the fabric I’m using for a project, as the needle holes would show. So this will be very helpful.
    It might not be the quickest way but different situations need different methods. Great to have in my technique arsenal.

    Reply
  2. Janet Hammond

    I’m with Grace on this one – just baste the seam closed, centre your zipper over the basted seam, sew the zipper in place then remove the basting – simple.

    Reply
  3. SUE

    Great tips. I’ve been sewing for over 50 years and zippers have always been an issue. This may take a little more time, but a professional look is what I am wanting.

    Reply
  4. jane

    Person takes a relatively simple process and explains in a complicated manner to make a video. Possibly to explain to very novice beginners or to sell sticky tape. Informative but I think I’ll stick with my method that takes one minute.

    Reply
  5. Michelle Gomez

    She’s talking so fast, I had to rewind it several times to understand her first three sentences. Then I had to keep hitting pause. She can take a breath, it’s ok.

    Reply
  6. Karen kurdziel

    Great video of the installation steps; however no reference was made to the zipper foot and the role it plays

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Karen!

      I will send this feedback to our content team! Thank you for letting us know!

      Sincerely,

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
      • Mickie

        I agree with Grace 8/22/2016. I started sewing in 1957. Zippers are sooo easy to sew in as Grace described. This tutorial is like trying to learn the “new Math”. 😳

        Reply
  7. Dee

    I found this video to be really helpful.

    One thing that would have been nice, however, would be if for the tutorial she used a sharpie or more visible marking instead of the fabric pencil you can barely see in the video.

    Reply
  8. Carole Shaw

    I have really enjoyed this wonderful tutorial. I have learned a great deal, and I thank Krista Williams for her fantastic style of teaching. I appreciate all the steps to ensure that I would make a professional look to any garment. I have sewn since a young child, mostly self taught, watching my Mum sew…but not tutored…she didn’t have the patience lol…. Zippers have been something that I have tried to avoid, but , now learned a professional way to do it, I can’t wait to give it a try!….Thank you so much Krista Williams x

    Reply
  9. June Pitsley

    Never mind. I thought she was talking about the bottom stop not the top. Looking on my phone and the pic was small until I turned my phone sideways

    Reply
  10. June Pitsley

    What does she mean after keying the zipper to go ahead and open it up with scissors? Is she cutting through the metal stop or what?

    Reply
  11. Grace

    WOW! That sure is complicated. As far as I’m concerned, it is easiest to just baste the entire seam up, lay the zipper in and use the natural lines on the zipper tape as your markers. You also should never have to remove the garment and start over. Just pivot at the bottom, sew across and then pivot again and sew back UP the zipper. Done in about half the time! Then, open up the basted seam allowance.

    Reply
  12. katherine

    only can see half the video then it says unavailable. tried on 3 different times now

    Reply
  13. ulomalekan

    Installing zip has always been a challenge to me, I really enjoyed this video and i’ll try this method right away. Thanks a lot

    Reply
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