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From: Patte
Date: 02-22-2005, 01:22 PM (1 of 9)
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Hi, I'm new here. Just stumbled upon this great website a few moments ago. I am making a cloth purse with a tab closure. However, I was thinking that a zipper would make it more secure. How do you put the zipper in? Do you open it up and then install it between the purse and lining? Or is there a secret? Thanks so much for the anticipated help. Patte |
User: Patte
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-22-2005, 10:18 PM (2 of 9)
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The easy way is to install the zipper prior to putting the purse together. You just sew the zipper, right side to right side, much like a seam in a garment but you can use a slightly smaller seam allowance. I usually just place my zipper against the cut edge and use the zipper's allowance. Then you do the same to the other side. Place the edge with the stop so that the stop itself is at least 5/8 or 3/4 of an inch from one end so that you won't hit the stop...you want to just miss that. 3/4 Inch is probably about right, you don't want a gap but enough to clear the seam allowance. You can sew over the teeth on the other end when you attach it into the purse. Once you have the zipper installed, you can just continue as you would with the zipper open. It is VERY easy to install zippers in purses, in purse pockets, etc.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Patte
Date: 02-24-2005, 12:20 PM (3 of 9)
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Pam, Thanks so much. After I have sewed the zipper in, how does the liner work? If I put the liner in after the zipper, then doesn't it get covered by the liner? Or, do I turn the zipper down so that it lays on the outside of the purse (much like attaching the straps and tab closure), then install the zipper? Thanks for helping me. Patte |
User: Patte
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-24-2005, 04:23 PM (4 of 9)
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Sewing is very visual. Look at your original directions. If they can be adapted and still leave room to turn your purse, then go with them. The strap issue depends on how the straps are to be sewn onto the purse. If they sew in at the top, they need to be sewn in before the zipper (sorry that didn't occur to me at the time). If they sew on the outside of the purse, you just follow the directions and sew them on before the lining. As for the lining. There are several ways to tackle it. First look at your directions, they may work. You'll need a seam to turn your purse. The easiest way is to sew the lining at the top. You just leave an opening in the lining (usually at the bottom for turning) and sew the lining right side to right side with the purse. In other words, you would be looking at the wrong side of the purse and the wrong side of the lining with one inside the other. I usually put the outside of the purse on the side where I will be sewing so that I can watch for little puckers. Then, just sew them together, using the seamline that you used for the zipper. When you get to the ends, sew across, being careful not to damage your needle on the stop (discussed in last post). At the other end, just match your zipper tape and sew across. If you use this method, you just turn your purse through the hole in the lining and hand stitch (best method) the little hole closed. The other method would be to sew the whole lining together and drop the whole thing into the purse and hand sew the lining into the purse around the top. The lazy way is to put the zipper in last on top of the lining and the purse but this leaves rough seams around...I don't like that method at all. If you would like a little "extra finish" you can make a little square that covers the ends of each zipper so that it looks a little more finished. To do this, just cut a little square, fold it and put it across each end of the zipper, catching it in the zipper seams over the top of the zipper (not necessary) when you first put the zipper into the purse. There is no real need to sew this little square nearest the opening of the purse...I usually just sew it into the seams on three sides when I do this. It hides the zipper stop at the bottom and I sometimes go back, rip a little bit out and do this if I get my zipper to far toward the opening of the purse (it hides mistakes well). In the meantime, you can do all kinds of creative things with your lining before you put it in the purse, you can put in a side pocket with a zipper, you can make a rectangle, fold it in half and make a pocket that goes the whole side of the lining, catching the three sides of the pocket in the lining seams...there are all kinds of nice things you can do to the inside (and outside) of your purse. Just brainstorm and you can come up with all kinds of ideas! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Patte
Date: 02-25-2005, 11:11 AM (5 of 9)
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Hi Pam, Thanks so much for the sewing lesson! I agree, I am finding out that sewing is, indeed, visual. I really don't have a pattern. I am calculating and winging it. For a newbie, I am quite proud of my finished work, (-: I pinned in the zipper last night and will tackle it today. I know once I get this one in I will probably say, "How easy!". Again, thanks for all your help. I'm off to do the zipper. Have a great day. Patte |
User: Patte
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-25-2005, 11:50 AM (6 of 9)
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Purses, bags, round gym bags, knitting holder wraps, bags for the back of wheel chairs and front of walkers, pillows, pillow shams, Bible and book covers, sewing machine/serger covers...all of those things that you can do easily without a pattern once you get the hang of it...and there are millions of other things you can do. You are only limited by your imagination. The trick is to decide what you are going to make, how big you want it, what pieces you will need. When I do a gym bag, I start with a plate, bowl, salad plate, or whatever and turn it on its side to decide if it is the size I need. I then decided if I can stand to loose the seam allowance or if I need to add one. Then I take something like it in size and stand it on its edge and move them apart to decide how wide I want my bag. Then, I decided if I want pockets and where....it is just SOOOOOO fun! Since you haven't started, I'll tell you about the pockets and zippers on the INSIDE or outside if you want them. If you want to put a full lenth pocket on the inside with a zipper, you need to decided if your pocket needs to be double for stiffness or single, then you place your zipper at one edge of the pocket and sew across just like you did on the purse. Then you mark a guide line with pencil or chalk where you want your zipper to go. Using the first zipper directions for placement, You sew it like the top of the purse, right sides to right side, across the zipper. Then flip it down and when you sew, just sew it into the purse seams. If you want a zipper patch pocket, press your seam allowances before you sew the zipper, place the zipper on the lining like the other zipper, top stitch around the edges. If you want a coin purse, you can either take two pieces of fabric or long piece, sew your zipper like the purse turn wrong side out and sew up the sides and bottom. If you want to off-set the zipper so that your opening is wider, sew your zipper into a little fabric strip on each side and sew the strip into the top of the purse. You can also off-set the pocket zipper so it is flat in the purse by sewing a strip across the top. I hope you have LOTS of fun with this!!!! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: vicious kittie
Date: 02-26-2005, 05:41 PM (7 of 9)
| i can understand the confusion on this...i make baby and toddler clothes and accessories, and when theres a zipperi get nervous...i know for the most part how to do an invisible one, but not a regular,,is it much different? ive been taking classes from a wonderful wonderful lady that owns one of the local quilt shops...although now the beginner class ended, so its like where to go from here?? shes a busy lady so private lessons are out,so i may have to post a note on the board there for sewing help...but if you can get into any classes where you live. its a great help!!!! |
User: vicious kittie
Member since: 02-02-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: Patte
Date: 03-05-2005, 11:43 PM (8 of 9)
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Well, I did it! It was SEW Easy! *lol* I've already done 3 more zippers. Thanks one and all for the help and confidence. All the best, Patte |
User: Patte
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2005, 11:48 PM (9 of 9)
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Glad we could help! Enjoy!!!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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