Hi, I’m new to Gatherings and I’m hoping someone can help. I’ve made a bias cut skirt from a light weight synthetic suede. I’m having trouble with the zipper in the side seam.
The first time I inserted the zipper, I used strips of knit interfacing on the seam allowances. When I finished, it looked nice, but when I tried it on, it really buckled. So I removed the interfacing and didn’t use anything for a stabilizer. That result was even worse! I was using a regular zipper, not an invisible one. Now I don’t know what to use and I’d like to salvage this project. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Cheri
Replies
The reason the knit interfacing did not work was because it was not stabilizing the edge well enough. Use a non woven interfacing and cut it going down the length of the interfacing as it comes off of the bolt. Because even non woven interfacing has a slight stretch to it in one direction. Then after you have carefully fused it in place then insert the zipper and baste in place by hand or even better use a pick stitch and insert it by hand. That way you will be able to contain the stretch factor and it should lay smoothly for you. Hope this helps.
Edited 11/6/2004 1:48 pm ET by Terry
I agree with Terry, don't be intimidated by putting zipper in by hand it is easy and not even very time consuming. An invisible zipper works a little better, but it is still possible to stretch the material.
Nancy
This is brilliant! I now realise why I made a pigs' ear job of my daughter's dress! Thanks!
I would hang the skirt for awhile and let it stretch a little before I put the zipper in - also by hand. I had to do this with a slinky knit (not on bias) once and it came out beautifully.
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