How to Sew an Invisible Zipper in Slacks
Sewing an invisible zipper with a special technique will create a virtually undetectable zipper. The tiny pull of the zipper will show at the top of the zipper as the only visible portion. Sew an invisible zipper in dress slacks to create a flat and unobtrusive zipper. Always sew an invisible zipper before you sew the center seam of the slacks.
Things You'll Need
- Slacks fabric pattern pieces
- Fabric pen
- Ruler
- Iron
- Invisible zipper
- Pins
- Sewing machine (with invisible zipper foot)
- Thread
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Install the invisible zipper foot onto the sewing machine. Depending upon the design of the zipper foot, there may be interchangeable parts that will make it fit a variety of sewing machines. Remove the existing foot from your sewing machine and insert the base of the invisible zipper foot.
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2
Determine which interchangeable part fits the sewing machine between the foot screw and the sewing needle. Attach this piece around the foot screw. Screw the sewing machine foot screw in tightly around the invisible zipper foot to finish installing it.
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3
Remove the invisible zipper from its package. Iron the fabric portions of each half of the zipper with the iron to flatten it. Set the iron to a low heat setting to avoid melting the zipper.
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4
Position the slacks fabric pieces with the right sides of the fabric facing up and the seam edges where you will sew the zipper aligned next to each other. Measure the seam allowance from each inside edge (typically 5/8 inch) and draw a line along each inside edge along the seam line. Continue the lines along the entire distance of the zipper.
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5
Unzip the zipper to completely open. Align the right half of the zipper to the right piece of the fabric with the front of the zipper facing down onto the right side of the fabric. Make sure the teeth at the top of the zipper end ¾ inch from the top edge of the fabric. The edge of the teeth must line up precisely on the seam allowance line you drew in step three. Pin this half of the zipper in place.
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6
Lower the invisible zipper foot down onto the zipper so that the teeth of the zipper fit under the right slot of the zipper foot. Stitch this half of the zipper, starting at the top and sewing slowly to make sure the zipper stays straight on the fabric. Stop stitching when you reach the zipper pull.
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7
Align the left part of the zipper on the left piece of fabric. Make sure you line up this half of the zipper in precisely the same way as the right side of the zipper. Align the edge of the teeth with the seam allowance line you drew on the left side of the fabric. Lower the invisible zipper foot with the zipper teeth under the left slot of the zipper foot.
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8
Stitch this half of the zipper in the same fashion, stopping when you reach the zipper pull. Close the zipper completely.
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9
Place the fabric pieces together with right sides facing each other. Place the zipper foot beside the zipper as close as possible. Start stitching the seam approximately ¼ inch above the point where you stopped stitching the zipper. Stitch the seam of the slacks together. When you are finished sewing, the invisible zipper will be at the top of the slacks and the zipper will end and continue straight into the seam of your slacks.
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