Things You'll Need:
- Zipper
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Steam iron
- Ironing board
- Transparent tape
- Zipper foot
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Step 1
Purchase a zipper for your garment. Pre-wash and air-dry the zipper.
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Step 2
Pin the two back sections of the garment together along the center seam. Make sure the right sides are together. Measure the length of the zipper plus 7/8-inch from the neckline. Mark this distance.
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Step 3
Start at the bottom edge of the garment, and stitch a 5/8-inch straight seam to the mark for the bottom of the zipper. Backspace. Change the stitch length on your sewing machine to the longest stitch, and continue sewing a seam to the neckline. Don't backstitch. Leave threads long and uncut. Press seam open.
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Step 4
Place the back section of the garment wrong side up on a flat surface. Place the bottom of the zipper face down directly over the spot you marked earlier. Center the zipper over the seam. Use a piece of transparent tape to fasten it in place.
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Step 5
Continue working your way up towards the neckline. Make sure to center the zipper over the seam before you tape it in place. A piece of tape every three inches is good enough to hold the zipper steady. The top of the zipper should be 7/8-inch from the neckline when you place the last piece of tape. Make sure the zipper tab is pointing up before you secure it.
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Step 6
Turn the fabric over to the right side. Attach the right-hand zipper foot to the sewing machine. Set the sewing machine back to the regular stitch length. Sew 1/4- to 3/8-inches from the center back seam, which is sewn closed. Keep the stitching as straight as possible. When you pass the bottom of the zipper stop, make a square turn, then come back up the other side of the seam.
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Step 7
Remove the transparent tape. Also, pull out the thread that held the seam together. If you pull on the long tail you left, it should come out easily.
