Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Exposed Zipper - Tutorial

I think I am a little burned out on the ruffle craze. I feel it's a bit over saturated. Maybe that is why I have been pretty enamored with the exposed zipper. It's a 180 from ruffles and a nice refreshing break! I like it's clean line, industrial look and eye catching detail. What's also great about it, is that it is easy to accomplish this look yourself with just a few simple steps. I guess it's the one thing zippers and ruffles do have in common!



I started with this dolman sleeve shirt I bought at Old Navy earlier this year. I think a scoop neck or boat neck would work best for this project.


It just happens to have a seam that runs down the back of the shirt. A nice, but not needed detail!


I bought a zipper with metal teeth because the contrast of fabric and metal hardware is really what it is all about! I measured how far down I needed to cut my fabric and marked it.


After making the cut, I then cut pieces of fusible bonding the length of the zipper. I used a hot iron to press the zipper to the shirt to stabilize it while sewing. This is soooo much easier than pinning it!


I used the fusible bonding to hold the top edges over the collar of the shirt.


I also used it to hold the bottom fold of the zipper down until I could sew it. I first used a piece to hold the fold, then another to adhere the zipper to the shirt.


Next, I stitched along the outside edge of the zipper making sure to run along the bottom and back stitch along the top where it meets the collar.


And that was it! It was so easy! It only cost me $4.00, took me about 45 minutes to complete and I love the statement it makes!
I like my zipper on the back, but don't be afraid to try it on the front as well!

Linking this project to my favorite sites! Find them HERE!

17 comments:

Madeline said...

love how that turned out! what a great idea.

AllieMakes! said...

I am with ya on the burn out... for myself at least. My daughter has other thoughts. LOL I like your stuff!
You should come link it up to my Making It With Allie Party!
Allie
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

Jess said...

Oh my goodness! Why did I not run into your blog sooner?! It is awesome. I am totally following now :)

Kee said...

Love it! Great tip about the fusible web instead of pinning. Love the exposed metal teeth on the zipper too.

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Nicely done! I remember from the sixties one of my favorite Simplicity patterns featured a long, exposed front zipper. I made several dresses/blouses from that pattern. Way back then (lol!) in southern California it was cool to make your own clothes. Love how yours came out!

Cammy said...

I second Kee's comment! I wish I would've thought to use fusible web a looooong time ago. I think it's time I give some shirts a new lease on life!

Unknown said...

Looks great!

I found you via Paisley Passions blog party, and am now following your blog.

Chrystal
www.adornonashoestring.com

Andrea from The Train To Crazy said...

Great tutorial. Love the shirt!

Andrea from The Train To Crazy said...

Great tutorial. Love the shirt!

Lori@Paisley Passions said...

I LOVE this! Thanks for the GREAT tutorial! Thanks for sharing your “creative mojo” with me on Thrilling Thursday. I hope you will be back again soon :)
~Lori S.
Thrilling Thursdays @Paisley Passions

Jess said...

By the way, I will totally buy that sweater from you if you don't want it anymore :) I keep seeing it on my blog on FTF and I am wishing I had it more and more! :)

Elaine said...

I love it!! I want to try that out...

CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog

Sachiko said...

This is such a great tutorial! Thank you for sharing. :)

Joan said...

Once again you have done a great job on a small budget.

Anonymous said...

I'm in love.. so gonna try this!!

Erin said...

your shirt looks awesome. what a great idea! i really love the idea of using fusible interfacing to hold the zipper in place too- ingenious!

Angela Osborn said...

Thanks for such a great tutorial. I never would have thought to use fusible bonding. It looks great!

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