Video: An Easy, Flat Fly-Front Zipper

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with Sandra Betzina

If a pair of homemade slacks look homemade, it's probably because of the way the zipper was inserted. Sandra Betzina, TV host and author, advises, "Ignore the instructions that came with your pattern. Most are so complicated, you'll give up and switch to a lapped zipper insertion."

In her book Power Sewing Step-by-Step, Sandra gives detailed instructions for converting any zipper opening to a fly front, and in this video she demonstrates the procedure.

In preparation, ensure the that existing extension is 1-3/8 in. wide and 8 in. long. If converting, merely add the extension beyond the center-front cutting line.

Power Sewing Step-By-Step
by Sandra Betzina A Photographic Guide to Practical Techniques $34.95 more info...

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Comments (23)

Snuzal writes: Well I just have to join in and say I LOVE this. I make a lot of pants, and this is my TNT method of putting a flat fly front zip in. I don't use the video now, but will ALWAYS use this technique, why pattern companies make their instructions so complicated, I'll never know.

Fab tutorial
Posted: 10:29 pm on May 19th

marinowel writes: It looks so easy
Thanks for sharing
I can't wait to give it a try
Posted: 4:52 pm on April 12th

BlumenkinderHeirloom writes: I agree. This video is excellent. I re-did a fly using Sandra's method, and it looks great! Thanks so much for sharing your talent and experience.

Posted: 4:21 pm on March 12th

linuxwitch writes: I've never done a zipper like this before, but this gives me hope! Absolutely perfect!
Posted: 6:01 am on February 15th

morrisbon writes: Thanks for this helpful video. I've bookmarked this video for a reference when I finally put in my first fly front zipper in the first pair of jeans I plan on starting to sew in the next few days. (I'm actually using the Vogue Pattern #7608 that is previously mentioned.) I've put in a regular type zipper before but have always avoided this flyfront style because I could never figure it out! It was really neat to see this zipper actually being sewn. Now here's hoping I can only do it!
Posted: 5:10 pm on December 27th

PattLytle writes: Where is the video?
Posted: 4:53 pm on November 7th

DoubleH writes: This was quite simply, AWESOME!!! Thank you so much. I just about gave up on Halloween costumes this year because I just could not figure out how to do the zipper with a Vogue pattern. Ay yay yay! You saved Halloween! Thank you so much!!!
Posted: 3:57 pm on October 25th

MaddyGranma writes: Along with buttonholes, I have avoided patterns that I liked because they had zippers! This video was great, a definate I Can Do It!
Posted: 4:27 pm on July 6th

sewgnu writes: This video was soooo good! After struggling along trying to work out instructions that seemed to encourage discouragement, I found this video. It was so easy to follow,- watched a little, then hit pause - did the step, hit play and watched - hit pause then did the next step and before I knew it, the zipper was in. Thanks very much. You're the best!

Sewgnu
British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 2:40 am on May 20th

pichicoco writes: Hello! Thank you so much for this wonderful video, i love it. this is the kind of instruction that make sewing fun.
Posted: 10:32 pm on May 2nd

Fashionart writes: Great video for the Fly Front Zip, struggling to work out the details from a Burda pattern Magazine. I turned to the internet for help, this video makes it so much easier, I have Bookmarked it on my Computer that is one way to save it for reference. Great.

Janet
Posted: 6:54 pm on April 12th

RBJarmon writes: Exactly what I needed! I knew I could learn if I had the right teacher. Thank you so much.
Posted: 6:46 pm on April 5th

Kyla writes: Thank you so much for that zipper video i always had a hard time with it i think i will do much better.
Posted: 6:09 pm on March 9th

Kyla writes: Thank you so much for showing that zipper video, i always had a hard time with it. My zippers wil look much better now.
Posted: 5:51 pm on March 9th

Frankfurt2 writes: It is really nice to see how things can be "de-complexed"
Posted: 10:44 am on February 4th

HookedOnEmbroidery writes: I have always been afraid of sewing on zippers.
Now, I can do more sewing without being afraid of messing up.

Thank you for having this invaluable video for me to look at if I feel stuck.

I also love the fact that I can email this to myself and have all the videos I need in my email folder for refrencses.

Again, thank you sooooo much.
Posted: 12:54 am on February 1st

Grannie_Annie writes: Thank you so much for this video instruction. Fly zippers have been my nemisis for decades. I'd start out making a fly zipper and then give up, sew the seam in the front and make a back zipper........grrrrrrrrrr.

Thanks to you, I have two perfectly sewn fly zippers and now have the choice of front, back, or side openings. I'm the clearance queen and love boasting at work that I made my pants for less than $4.00. It helps to boast if the zipper looks good. smiles.

Thanks again
Annie
Posted: 7:34 am on January 24th

canardlysew writes: I hate doing zippers, because the way I was taught in school back in the 60's was so complicated using a sewing machine that I always had someone else do it for me. I just bought a pattern for a pants suit from Vogue which I would love to make and am grateful for this video, as it has shown me a completely different and easier method to use.
Posted: 7:45 pm on January 23rd

LadyMynydd writes: Have just spent days trying to work out how to insert fly-front zipper, following pattern instructions! In desperation I turned to internet and came across this video: suddenly I feel able to do it! Thank you so very much!
Posted: 4:26 am on January 14th

bobine writes: Excellent video. Very clear, step by step. Great refresher for the experienced sewer or excellent technique for the not so advanced.
Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Posted: 11:19 pm on January 2nd

canei writes: PERFECT...I did this today. Results were fab. This is my fly front technique forever!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 2:31 pm on December 28th

locomouse writes: An awesome video, Sandra... takes the whole headache (and heartache) out of a fly-front zipper installation. Pure genius!

Thanks ever so much for your time and willingness to share!

Helen - Ontario, Canada
Posted: 7:15 pm on December 1st

Bryden writes: Love the video.... Makes it so much easier to do if you can see what exactly happens.... Wish I could save it on my computer for reference....

Thanks so much for a great resource.

Bryden - New Zealand
Posted: 4:31 am on November 25th

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