The thought of sewing a zipper into a skirt intimidates you? Learn how to sew a zipper on a skirt with this quick and easy technique! With this simple method, you’ll be able to insert a concealed zip in any garment!
How To Sew A Zipper On A Skirt
I am officially in love with zippers, they are so easy to use! I really don’t know why I was so terrified of them before, they really are easy to insert into about anything. It all takes just a little practice and some patience at first. In this short and easy tutorial I’ll continue the series of zipper installation with how to sew a zipper on a skirt. This concealed zip technique applies to basically any piece of garment, most commonly dresses or blouses.
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Zippers are most times a really nice addition to any item, from clothing to bags or pouches. A zipper can really add a nice pop of color and an interesting design feature to any of these. This simple method will teach you how to sew a zipper on a skirt so that it looks more concealed and you can sew it on to be as visible or concealed as you like, using this simple and easy method. Note: This is not an invisible zipper tutorial though, that’s actually a different technique that you can find here.
How to put a zip in a skirt
Materials:
- 2 pieces of fabric
- zipper foot
- zipper
- matching thread (for this tutorial I used contrast)
- scissors
- pins
- sewing machine
- iron and ironing board
- seam ripper
Directions:
- Put your 2 strips of fabric right sides together and sew them down using a basting stitch.
- Press that seam open.
- Place your zipper with the right side facing down on that seam, starting about 1/2″ from the top of the fabric to have some room for a seam allowance at the top (assuming you’re sewing this zipper on a piece of garment and not just for practice).
- Make sure you place the teeth of the zipper right on the line of the seam and pin it in place. If you’re using a longer zipper, make a mark where you’ll need to cut it short.
- Install your zipper foot and take the fabric over to your machine. Pass the zipper pull and press the presser foot down then start sewing as close to the zipper teeth as you like. Do a couple of back stitches.
- As you reach the end of the zipper, lift your presser foot, pivot the fabric and sew across the bottom of the zipper, lift your presser foot and pivot again then sew down the other side of the zipper.
- Stop as you get close to the zipper pull.
- Take your fabric on a side and rip the seam open so you can expose the zipper on the right side of the fabric too. Just make sure you don’t rip down to the bottom where you’ve sewn the zipper in place.
- Open the zipper a little, go back to your machine and continue sewing where the zipper pull used to be.
- And you’re done!
Have fun using this technique!
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Shanta Roy says
I love your simple tutorials and projects. I look forward to making a skirt for me and my girls.
I really needed the zipper tutorial. Thanks!
Petro says
Thanks so much, Shanta! Have fun sewing your skirts! xoxo
gerd krokann veskje says
Tusen takk for veldig god forklaring og bilder på å sy glidelåser. Du forklarer så godt. Jeg har fått masse inspirasjon fra deg, så nå skal jeg sy ulike ting til jule gaver.
Jeg vet at jeg leste ett eller annet sted hos deg hvordan en kunne kutte delte glidelås,men finner det ikke igjen nå.. Jeg syr en liten jakke og skal ha delt glidelås i den og tenkte å bruke noe av det jeg har fra før,men de er for lange. Kan du fortelle meg hvordan jeg kan bruke de ? veldig glad og takknemlig for svar fra deg,
Masse hilsner fra vinterkalde Norge og med ønsker om en kjempefin torsdag.
Petro says
Hi, Gerd! Thanks for your lovely comment! Not sure I understood your request but these are all the zipper articles available on the site: https://theseamanmom.com/sewing-an-invisible-zipper/, https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-sew-a-zipper/, https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-sew-a-zipper-into-a-lined-skirt/ Hope these help!
Martha says
I have seen many tutorial videos in the past few years, on all sorts of subjects. You have the very best photos and instructions in my experience. Thank you ! By the way there are little icons covering up the left side of the page on the left margin. Maybe it is my computer screen. I wanted to click at rating of 5.
Petro says
Hi Martha! Thanks so much for your lovely comment and the rating! The icons must be the sharing buttons but they shouldn’t cover the content. I checked on various browsers and they don’t maybe the resolution on your computer is a bit higher than the norm. Thanks again! xoxo
May says
Great tutorial! I find that zippers are so much harder to sew on than they seem. I would much rather work on the rest of the dress and avoid the zipper altogether when I’m sewing lol.