How to Use the Adjustable Zipper Foot
Installing a Standard Centered Zip with the Adjustable Zipper
You can use any style of zipper that's NOT invisible, there is a special foot just for those invisible zippers #1 in your Madame Sew Presser foot kit.
When adding zips to cushion covers or bags I prefer to use those with plastic teeth as you can sew across the teeth without damaging your needle or sewing machine and they are simpler to cut to size too.
First the foot...
The zipper foot has two indents which are where you needle will be working. They are cut into the centre portion of the foot to allow a snug fit to your zipper teeth, giving a neater and more professional finished by the time you are done.
It simple to attach to your sewing machine using the clip on bar at the top of the foot.
The needle will site in the indent on the side of the foot to match the side of the zipper that you will be working on.
Preparing the fabric
Press the seam allowance for both and baste the two pieces of fabric together. Only baste the section that will have the zip, the rest of the seam will be sewn as normal.
Open the fabric and place the zip on right side down on the wrong side of the fabric.
Pin the zip in place, making sure the zip teeth are centered on the seam line.
Pin the zip in place.
Now the zip is attached to the fabric place a pin at right angles to the zipper teeth at each end of the zipper.
This means you won't overshoot and clearly gives you the end point when you are sewing.
Get Sewing
Make sure the zipper head, the part you use to open and close the zip, is in the middle of your basted area, not below the right angled pins. Otherwise you will have sewn in a permanently open zip.
Now you can sew down the first side of the zip. Moving the zipper foot to run up tight to the teeth.
Remember the stitches will align to the teeth and will be seen on the front of the fabric, so please go slow until you have practised the technique. Using a wider seam allowance will make the process easier.
Repeat for the other side of the zipper, using the opposite side of the presser foot. Now to sew at right angles across the top and bottom of the zip, where you put the stop pin markers. This should close off the entire zip in a rectangle of stitches.
Now you are ready to remove the basting stitches, a seam ripper works beautifully for this part. If you have managed the task you will have a recognisable and working zip.
The edges of the fabric should lift up slightly either side of the zip.
Video Tutorial
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