How to Put a Zipper in a Sweatshirt

Hoodies, or hooded sweatshirts, are sometimes preferred over those that zip up the front, but occasionally when a hoodie seems too heavy for the season, putting a zipper on the front of it is just the solution needed. Adding a zipper to a garment is an easy sewing procedure; putting a zipper on a sweatshirt is no exception. If you're having trouble getting a sweatshirt on and off, add a zipper.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Fusible interfacing
• Spray bottle of water
• Fusible web
• Zipper
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Zipper foot

Instructions

1. Turn your sweatshirt inside out and iron a crease right down the center of the front-side.

2. Measure and cut a piece of 1 1/2-inch wide fusible interfacing and place it on the center of the crease, running from the top seam to the bottom seam.

3. Steam press the interfacing in place. Spray water on the interface and hold the iron on each section for 12 seconds. The water and steam helps fuse the interfacing to the sweatshirt.

4. Cut the sweatshirt in two sections, right down the center of the interfacing. Also cut through the top and bottom ribbing. Make sure the interfacing is cooled down before cutting. Turn the sweatshirt right side out.

5. Purchase a fusible web such as Steam-a-Seam from any fabric store. Cut two 1/4-inch wide strips of fusible web the length of the front of the sweatshirt.

6. Lay the fusible web, one strip on each side of the front edges. Steam-a-Seam is a double stick, so sewing and ironing aren't necessary for application.

7. 

   Unzip a jacket-type separating zipper and lay it on the front of the sweatshirt, one half on each side--on top of the fusible web. Line up the edges and press down on the zipper to activate the fusible web. The zipper teeth must be facing outward.

8. Turn the zipper over, towards the center, to the wrong side of the fabric, so the teeth are aligned with the outer edge. Because the zipper is adhered to the fusion web, you don't have to worry about it moving from its position.

9. 

   Sew along the teeth on both sides of the sweatshirt from the top to the bottom. Use a sewing machine with a zipper foot for best results.

Tips & Warnings

• The fusible web is used to keep the sweatshirt from stretching and keeps the zipper in place.

• Don't sew your stitch too close to the teeth or you won't be able to zip up the sweatshirt.