side seam zipper

[sewingmom]

I am making McCall's 6277. The fashion fabric is a sheer light colored woven floral print. The lining is off white. if I put the side zipper in the fashion fabric it will show through. so I need to put the lining in and then insert the zipper in the side seam of the lining and fashion fabric at the same time. I need a tutorial but I cant watch it on video because of my slow internet connection. Can anyone advise me?

I had to spend the day in town while car repairs were being done. The car dealership had someone drop me off at Hancocks. It dawned on me that I might be able to get some sewing done there if they didn't have a class going on and sure enough,I was able to rent a Bernina and use the classroom to cut out the dress I decided to make. Now if wasn't that a good way to kill time! 'got the dress and lining cut out and got to the part where I need to know how to do the zipper. Hopefully I will have a nice new dress for church on Sunday.

[DorothyL]

Be sure you need the zipper before you go through a lot of trouble with it. I spent a lot of time fiddling with a side seam zipper (in a French seam no less) on a dress for my daughter. It turned out she just pulled the dress over her head and never used the zipper anyway.

That's awesome that you were able to sew while waiting on your car. I would never have thought of that and would have spent the day reading and knitting.

Dorothy

[lendube]

That's terrific that you thought of that. I never would have either. Last time I had to wait for my car I spent over $200.00 between a Marshall's and PetSmart that were within walking distance! There was also a mall a short stroll away. Glad I stayed away from that. There's a JoAnn's a short drive away. I'm sure their courtesy van could take me there next time. Whoopie! I'd rather spend money there any day.

Out of curiosity, how much did you have to pay for the rental of a machine? Didn't know they did that but we don't have a Hancock's around here anymore.

Yeah, be sure and check to see if you need the zipper. Lots of times you don't I've found.

[sewingmom]

Ladies, I need to learn how to do the side seam zipper so I can make formal wear when the DGD's get ready for it. I plan to be ready for any thing they throw at me. If I can get the dress over my head it wont fit the way I want it to.

My Hancock store has a Bernina Kiosk in the store operated by Bernina. Not Hancocks. They rented me the machine to me. Bernina uses the class room for their classes so I suppose their agreement with Hancock's includes dominion over the classroom space. It never hurts to ask though when you are there even if they don't have a Bernina kiosk. I paid $10 an hour for a very nice computerized machine and they didn't start charging me till I had my notions,dress and lining bought and cut out. I even left stuff layin in the class room while a friend took me out to lunch.
It was a good day. I was not charged for the classroom use.

[Sewing Lady]

Does the dress have sleeves (I didn't look at the pattern) if not, just line up the bottom of the zipper and sew it in. It will not be even. If it has a sleeve, start about 1 and 1/2 inches below the seam and sew as usual.

[bridesmom]

On the side seam I'd baste the lining and fabric together and then put the zipper in as it if was one layer of fabric, you will have the seam showing on the inside, and not covered by the lining on that one side, but no one will see it anyhow. That would mean completing it all with the lining in it, and leaving the seam til last, hmmm, I wonder if that 's possible to do? Or ( I just had a brain wave) if you were to put a neutral (skin colored) piece on both sides of the fashion fabric then put the zipper in, the neutral fabric should mask the zipper. I've done that on pants, when you put pockets in on a white pant, if you use a skin colored lining the pocket doesn't show through the fabric. Make any sense??

[sewingmom]

Leighanna, It is good to hear from you. You are scarce lately. The dress has a cape like sleeve ( a large half circle) that is not lined and sews in at the princes seams and at the top of the armscye but not at the bottom of the armscye. I am sorry but I do not understand your instructions. Do I sew the side seam of the lining and the side seam of the sheer outer fabric together on the side with the zipper and then put the zipper in on the inside of the dress not between the lining and the outer fabric? Also do I sew the other side seam of the lining and the outer fabric together to be consistant? Should the side seam zipper application be a lapped application or a centered? Should I use an invisible zipper or am I just asking for more trouble. I
Laura, I am not sure I understand your instructions clearly. I am sorry. I will read them again tomorrow and perhaps the information will click.

[Sewing Lady]

Since the circle sleeve is not at the bottom of the armscye, I would set it in like any normal zipper including a hook and eye closure. Sew to the fashion fabric and then hand stitch the lining to the zipper for neatness. I like invisible zippers more than lapped ones.

I miss being around here too, but it is wedding season, and business is good, so I am very busy. Brides don't want to wait for anything.

I also had to have surgery on my right big toe. I went in to get an ingrown toenail taken care of and they found a cyst when they were in there. Still waiting on my permanent teeth to be placed on the posts, but I suppose that good things come to those who wait.

Chat with you soon.

L

[sewingmom]

Thanks For taking the time from you busy schedule to advise me, Leighanna. May your bridezillas be few and your profits be large!