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From: mommyx4
Date: 08-07-2007, 07:29 AM (1 of 19)
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I.ve used invisible zippers for years, but have never had this problem before. I made a cotton halter dress for my daughter and used an invisible zipper for the back opening. The center back seam sticks out(like a bubble) at the end of the zipper. I,ve undone the end of the zipper and redid it but it hasn't helped. I was wondering if maybe I used some "seams great" in the seam allowance that it might stabilize it a little bit and make it lay a little smoother. Any other suggestions? thanks, cheryl |
User: mommyx4
Member since: 07-11-2007 Total posts: 3 
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From: MartySews2
Date: 08-07-2007, 03:03 PM (2 of 19)
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It sounds as if you do need to stabilize the seam. You have a good plan. Marty 
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User: MartySews2
Member since: 05-03-2007 Total posts: 293
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From: paroper
Date: 08-07-2007, 05:17 PM (3 of 19)
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It sounds a bit to me like the zipper was sewn from the top down instead from the bottom up?
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: AndreaSews
Date: 08-07-2007, 05:31 PM (4 of 19)
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Oh, I get it Pam. This has happened to me before once or twice. I wonder if I had done the same. I can see how the zipper tape could stretch somewhat as it is sewn, and if it is sewn downward, it could cause the zipper tape to warp a little bit and then stick out.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-07-2007, 05:51 PM (5 of 19)
How many times have I done that. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: mommyx4
Date: 08-08-2007, 02:51 PM (6 of 19)
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I've always sewed them from the top down - it's the only way I've ever read to put them in. I guess I'll be taking out a zipper tonight! Thanks for the help. cheryl |
User: mommyx4
Member since: 07-11-2007 Total posts: 3
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From: paroper
Date: 08-08-2007, 03:08 PM (7 of 19)
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Interesting, all the home ec teachers I ever had always taught us to sew from the bottom up. That allows you to sew the grain on skirts that may be somewhat bias and pretty well guarantees that the zipper and the lines nearer the bottom fo the zipper (like waistline) will match, also that the zipper won't be catawhompas...or however you spell that.
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: ddreev
Date: 08-08-2007, 03:26 PM (8 of 19)
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Pam, I do very little garment sewing now but that could change with a grandchild on the way. Do you sew from the bottom up on both invisible and regular zippers? I have only used regular zippers and they have gone in OK but I was putting them in material without any stretch. Dorothy D. Dorothy D.
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User: ddreev
Member since: 05-29-2007 Total posts: 69 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-08-2007, 03:28 PM (9 of 19)
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For all zippers and all applications, lapped, centered, hidden, seperating, 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: ddreev
Date: 08-08-2007, 03:40 PM (10 of 19)
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Thanks, Pam, you are an amazing resource for all of our questions. Dorothy D. Dorothy D.
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User: ddreev
Member since: 05-29-2007 Total posts: 69 |
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 08-08-2007, 04:21 PM (11 of 19)
Wow, I never thought to sew them in a particular direction. I just figured if I could get the two sides to kinda-sorta match up, that's good enough. I'll be doing bottom up from now on. Thanks for the tip Pam! 
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-08-2007, 08:41 PM (12 of 19)
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Alright, here's an extension of the question. I sewed a zipper in for a friend, and I distinctly recall going from bottom to top, yet her sipper is sticking out in the bottom, making a point right on her rear end. She says this happens on a lot of her ready-to-wear clothing, and indeed she is short waisted. If I hold the center back and tug upward a little bit, I can make that zipper end smooth out. Well, there's no horizontal seam in the back to take up the slack. Any ideas about how I can get this dress to hang properly? I had thought of shortening it at the top just a bit and then putting a little elastic along the top on each side of the zipper. What say you folks?
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: paroper
Date: 08-08-2007, 10:34 PM (13 of 19)
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Is it a short waisted problem? If it is, the zipper from the top of the dress down needs to be taken out and the dress shortened in the waist and the zipper put back in...this would also hold true for someone with a sway back. Another problem? If the skirt is bias at all and is too tight, the skirt will give but the zipper will not and you get the same effect. Sometimes raising the skirt "works" because the if skiirt is not straight and you raise the skirt you put a slightly fuller portion at the hips, allowing the garment to relax and the result is that the zipper doesn't pull. In this case you could do the same basic fix as above but the extra fabric would be taken from the bottom of the dress, not the top (that is, providing you have a waistline with which to work. 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: AndreaSews
Date: 08-09-2007, 03:06 PM (14 of 19)
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Thanks for replying. Yes it's a shortwaisted, sway back problem. Unfortunately though, the pattern's fairly simple. It's a plain sheath dress. There's no bodice for the skirt to hang from. There's a left back and a right back, each all one piece. That's why I was wondering if I could remove some of the length from the top and try to lend support to the top. Any other thoughts?
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: paroper
Date: 08-09-2007, 03:12 PM (15 of 19)
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Move and change your phone number? I hate these projects...they are killers! If you look at that dress from the side there is probably no telling what is happening to the side seam either. These problems can do all kinds of weird things to garment lines. Unfortunately, these alterations are best done before the pattern is laid out.
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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-09-2007, 05:48 PM (16 of 19)
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I am short waisted.. A lady in our neighborhood who was a natural born garment designer and creator and was my inspiration for garment sewing told me to buy a zipper 2 inches shorter than any pattern called for when making clothing for myself.. I have always done that and I have never had the problem y'all are talking about..I am also short in stature.. (only 5 feet even..)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: paroper
Date: 08-09-2007, 05:49 PM (17 of 19)
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Well, if that would work, it wouldn't be that hard to release the bottom 2 inches of the zipper, bind it off, sew up the seam and resew the zipper. Hmmmm good answer if it works.
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: AndreaSews
Date: 08-10-2007, 08:36 PM (18 of 19)
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Good comments, both of you. Thanks. I did laugh out loud when I read the part about moving and changing my phone number! This one's a keeper, but it's a good idea to keep in my back pocket as a last resort. oh brother.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-10-2007, 08:40 PM (19 of 19)
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Come to think of it, taking out the lower 2 inches _would_ take the end off of the round part of the derrière and leave it on the flat part of the "sway." I wonder if it would complicate getting the dress on and off. Worth looking into this one, Dorothy. Especially since we like the way the rest of it fits. I don't want to tinker with the parts that work.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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