Sewing Zippers

Maybe you’re looking up sewing zippers because you’re working on a special bag or you’ve never worked with zippers before, and you aren’t sure how or where to start? Project or no project, we can help you get started! Many novice quilters avoid anything that includes zippers because they seem intimidating, but the truth is once you learn how to work with them, you won’t be able to stop putting decorative zippers on everything! Here at Missouri Star, we carry some of the best zippers for sewing, ranging from standard nylon zippers to speciality zippers.

When learning about zippers, particularly decorative zippers for sewing, a good first question to ask is: how do you sew a zipper on a seam? This is the part that intimidates a lot of quilters, but it’s not nearly as complicated as you might think! But don’t just take our word for it, watch how Jenny and Misty make sewing with zippers perfectly un-scary in the video below!

The general process for sewing zippers can include not-so-general questions, such as, “What stitch do you use for zippers?” or “How do you finish the end of a zipper?” To answer that first one, there is no “right” stitch! There are a variety of stitches you can use for sewing zippers, all you have to do is choose the one you like best.

When it comes to finishing the end of a zipper, everyone has their favorite method, but one method involves taking a rectangular piece of fabric (about 4” long and ½” wider than your zipper), folding it in half, stitching both sides and turning it inside out to make a little pocket for the end of your zipper. If you’re more of a visual learner, you can watch Jenny use this method in the video below as she makes a cute zipper pouch!

Whether you’re simply curious or are considering trying it for yourself, you may be wondering if it’s possible to sew a zipper by hand. Anything is possible, but most folks find that sewing zippers with a sewing machine is ultimately faster and easier. So if you’re feeling more confident about working with zippers, come explore our selection today! You’ll find fabulous fancy zippers (Fancy Zips) and other specialty zippers here at Missouri Star.