Help with sewing on a zipper straight?

Question

I am trying to sew a zipper on the back of a dress I am making.

How so I make it so the zipper is straight rather than being, well, bumpy, if you understand what I mean. My seams are straight and all, but last time I put a zipper on something it ended up looking alright, but bumpy rather than flat on the garment.

Also, what kind of stitch should I use, and how close to the actual zipper teeth should I sew?

Answer 1

Another helpful hint -- After you pin your zipper in, start sewing from the bottom of the zipper to the neckline on both sides of the zipper.  I used to start sewing at the neckline then turn it at the bottom and come back up the other side.  A friend suggested sewing both sides from the bottom, and my zippers look much better now.

Answer 2

the directions on the zipper packaging are very good.  Use a zipper foot.  Set machine at 2.5  There is a ridge next to the zipper, sew to the right of it away from the teeth

Answer 3

My advice would be to invest in an invisible zipper if it is going on the back of the dress.  I always find these to be easier and less trouble to put in.  

The puckering is probably because you are not using a zipper foot to get the stitching in the right spot.  You will have this same problem with the invisible, but you may have one and not even know.....check your feet to see if one of them looks like you could sew on one side or the other, or if it has an opening on the bottom to allow the raised part of the zipper to go through.

feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Answer 4

The reason it's bumpy is because the fabric is a lot softer than the zipper tape. You could iron a nice interfacing to the fabric to stiffen it up, and then it'll support the zipper without bumping.

Editing:  Interfacing is a layer that you add, to stabilize your fabric. Ask for it in your local fabric store. Get the kind that irons on. Get the thinnest kind. Cut it into long strips and iron it onto your fabric whereyour zipper will go.

No, ironing the zipper will not make any difference.

I do not recommend a beginner trying to install a zipper without a zipper foot. The foot is a guide that lets you place your stitches the right distance from the teeth. Use a regular straight stitch.

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