tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post2438313616508158082..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: How (and Why) to Do a Vintage-Style Lapped Side ZipGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-61728986301832665432011-11-15T15:03:26.832-05:002011-11-15T15:03:26.832-05:00I have always liked the side seam zipper - yet, ev...I have always liked the side seam zipper - yet, even after over 40 years of sewing, I never bothered to make one! It is so nice! I remember them, and find the look of the dress flows without the obvious back "interruption" and I never liked the fact the back zipper always ended somewhere in the middle of one's best intentions. Most unflattering and immodest.<br /><br />Thank you for the clear tutorial. i know it will help many people.Adriennehttp://adriennesarmoire.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-32385825544820146812011-04-23T23:03:21.970-04:002011-04-23T23:03:21.970-04:00I know I'm way late to the party, but thanks f...I know I'm way late to the party, but thanks for this tutorial. I had put a lapped side zipper in by machine per my pattern instructions, but it was wonky and sad. ripping it out and following these directions and the result was much smoother!Lauren W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07566349537874341715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-65259273231874218892010-11-28T02:23:23.488-05:002010-11-28T02:23:23.488-05:00Great tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to post...Great tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to post photos and explain the process.Sew-4-Funhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03340344934860568228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-28209469231391483652010-06-03T00:25:12.805-04:002010-06-03T00:25:12.805-04:00Thank you thank you thank you! I've been doing...Thank you thank you thank you! I've been doing the vintage-style lapped zippers for years (discovered it works WAY better with the bias facing!), but the handpicked zipper is a REVELATION! I've never had a zipper go in so hassle-free. Thanks!jeneenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289248663568591590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-49126213718593241632010-05-31T23:45:01.222-04:002010-05-31T23:45:01.222-04:00Just used this for my colette macaron dress, finis...Just used this for my colette macaron dress, finished it up this morning and I'm very happy with it!<br />Thanks!ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06696384916078023299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38463623651245762222010-05-25T22:47:51.589-04:002010-05-25T22:47:51.589-04:00Thanks for this great tutorial! I'm about to s...Thanks for this great tutorial! I'm about to sew in a lapped side zip in a vintage dress so I came back for a refresher :) Good idea about the placket!Tasiahttp://sewaholic.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-43110796782004062332010-05-19T09:38:18.670-04:002010-05-19T09:38:18.670-04:00Next tutorial, please: side zipper when the skirt...Next tutorial, please: side zipper when the skirt has pockets. I do it, but sometimes it looks a little fiddly. Must be a better way.Laura B.http://www.moviediva.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12540850488749455632010-05-14T16:19:55.589-04:002010-05-14T16:19:55.589-04:00Beautiful job.Beautiful job.Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649677045881448393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-61563202313783475012010-05-14T07:13:27.040-04:002010-05-14T07:13:27.040-04:00Your side zips look really classy, and as always I...Your side zips look really classy, and as always I'll bear your advice in mind the next time I come to do one. But I agree with Melissa that a centre back zip has the advantage of being useful for fitting alterations - good for those of us whose fitting can be slapdash - plus it makes it easier to get into and out of something in expensive fabric without rubbing it all over one's makeup. I was inspired by the exposed zip on your blue dress in fact to subsitute a back zipper for a side zipper on a Butterick retro reprint pattern.Hannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13149288218017399395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59110534665692507412010-05-13T15:57:43.121-04:002010-05-13T15:57:43.121-04:00Thanks for posting this! I've been wanting to ...Thanks for posting this! I've been wanting to use a lapped zip in something but couldn't quite work out how! The background dress of doom looks wonderful, by the way! I'm almost tempted to make one myself (but only almost...)Sasha Rockethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08562629431009481946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-56887676109894473912010-05-13T15:54:49.545-04:002010-05-13T15:54:49.545-04:00I think side zips are more elegant too and have se...I think side zips are more elegant too and have several dresses with them. You have a nice clean back to the dress and the zipper is mostly hidden by your arm. I also have some vintage side zippers from garage sales. The zipper has a metal "stopper" on the top as well as the bottom, but they are mostly 12" zippers. <br /><br />The only downside to the side zip is when you've already done your hair/makeup, and then you go to put on the dress and have to wiggle it over your head. I've done this ...a lot. Stepping into a back zip is simpler and more casual.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848789612409874592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-52067858172455455772010-05-13T12:09:32.369-04:002010-05-13T12:09:32.369-04:00Brilliant! With the summer dresses coming up, I...Brilliant! With the summer dresses coming up, I'm sure going for lapped zips, whether it's a side or back zip. Inspiring indeed!frk.bustadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11905037626664748421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12194930528321330072010-05-13T12:00:29.598-04:002010-05-13T12:00:29.598-04:00Sarah, see my updated bit in bold above!
melissa ...Sarah, see my updated bit in bold above!<br /><br />melissa - different strokes for different sewers!Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-57134570439759809662010-05-13T11:29:27.900-04:002010-05-13T11:29:27.900-04:00Great tutorial? But am I alone in preferring the c...Great tutorial? But am I alone in preferring the centre back zippers? Whenever I have a pattern with a side zip, 9 times out of 10 I'll convert it to a centre back zip. I think it's the assymetricality of it, and I just find back zips easier to get in and out of, plus you can make better fitting alterations with a CB seam in there...melissahttp://www.fehrtrade.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-67262344879143657712010-05-13T11:28:42.435-04:002010-05-13T11:28:42.435-04:00Thank you ! I was curious about those zipper issu...Thank you ! I was curious about those zipper issues that seems to be blooming in vintage blogs right now. The tutorial is duly bookmarked ...<br /><br />I think I'll stick to my usual invisible zippers, for now, but I may feel bold someday and try it :)Rosehttp://rosemiracles.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-13023293889800548212010-05-13T11:10:59.347-04:002010-05-13T11:10:59.347-04:00Hi Gertie,
Great tutorial! I'm about to try m...Hi Gertie,<br /><br />Great tutorial! I'm about to try my first handpicked zip.<br /><br />One question: Do you have tips for moving the zipper to the side seam when the pattern calls for it to be in the back? I don't like back zips - it's easier to dress oneself when they're on the side. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-24198792614729245852010-05-13T11:03:13.784-04:002010-05-13T11:03:13.784-04:00Fantastic! Thanks for tutorial.Fantastic! Thanks for tutorial.Rosehttp://www.thelaughingmonkey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12243010321297289192010-05-13T10:46:58.617-04:002010-05-13T10:46:58.617-04:00Patty, the lap is the standard 5/8" turnback....Patty, the lap is the standard 5/8" turnback. (It's the other side that's turned back 1/2") The placket helps for two reasons: <br /><br />1) it does help to have a wider seam allowance. 5/8" can work, but it's cutting it close. <br /><br />2) the placket creates a more substantial lap - it's not flimsy.Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66460177641753500702010-05-13T10:46:23.232-04:002010-05-13T10:46:23.232-04:00Thanks for the tute! I seriously considered tryin...Thanks for the tute! I seriously considered trying a lapped zipper on my latest project (<a href="http://chronicallyuncool.blogspot.com/2010/05/vogue-8956-finished.html" rel="nofollow">Vogue 8956, from 1956</a>) but I went with the centered zipper recommended in the instructions. It's a good thing I did because the lapped zipper would never have worked with the "pleats hide the side seams" trick that is so common with vintage full skirts. If I ever sew a sheath I'll definitely try the lapped zipper!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408008074242523257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-52087190332633274612010-05-13T10:38:42.397-04:002010-05-13T10:38:42.397-04:00I have a question! Why the placket? Isn't the ...I have a question! Why the placket? Isn't the lap created with the 1/2" vs. 5/8" turn back, so couldn't the other side of the zipper just be attached directly to the dress? I'm lazy about measuring, so I always end up just putting in the zippers with no measuring, so they end up centered, not lapped!<br /><br />And Korit... I feel your pain! It's very helpful to make an actual muslin, out of, you know, muslin, so you don't feel as bad if things don't work out! I'm working on a dress for my Maid of Honor (vogue 2902 - super easy looking, right?) and I made at least 5 muslins of the bodice before I really got started!<br /><br />Patty[patty the snug bug]https://www.blogger.com/profile/17830791771911214780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12074849704145668042010-05-13T10:37:57.889-04:002010-05-13T10:37:57.889-04:00Koritsimou: don't be terrified! The only way t...Koritsimou: don't be terrified! The only way to get better at sewing is to be bold. Yes, you may ruin fabric. I certainly have. I have things I made just a year ago that I don't wear anymore because my techniques were not as good as they are now. But that's okay! My techniques are better now BECAUSE I made those garments. And I imagine I'll feel the same in a year from now. It's a great thing!<br /><br />For techniques like this, you can practice first with a yard of muslin (or old scrap fabric) and a spare zipper. The investment for this would be a dollar or two. Just cut the muslin into two pieces and then sew them together at the top and bottom to simulate a side seam. <br /><br />Be bold!Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45449984696124773422010-05-13T10:22:08.744-04:002010-05-13T10:22:08.744-04:00Dear Miss Gertie: How do you practice?
Allow me t...Dear Miss Gertie: How do you practice?<br /><br />Allow me to explain: I'm what you call a beginner, as in, I've never completed one garment (that I felt I could be proud of). I'm trying to teach myself garment-making, but I often sit on a project for weeks at a time. Because I'm terrified. I'm terrified of screwing up a project, I'm terrified of doing something permanent to fabric that I paid good money for, I'm terrified of wasting the scarce money I have to buy supplies and fabric and as a result, I look at tutorials like this and I'd love to try but I can't force myself to. How in the heck am I going to get over this hump?Koritsimouhttp://www.thepalewisconsinite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-40498845759617427492010-05-13T09:33:24.314-04:002010-05-13T09:33:24.314-04:00Jenny: exactly! The left side creates a little ove...Jenny: exactly! The left side creates a little overlap, just like a fly front pant. It hides the zipper.<br /><br />I wish I could have done a demo with a different color lap, but I've been so time-crunched it didn't happen. Hope this works anyway!<br /><br />Casserole - thanks for the link!Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-88238776732068687882010-05-13T09:23:26.335-04:002010-05-13T09:23:26.335-04:00Awesome tutorial!! I linked to it on Craft Gossip ...Awesome tutorial!! I linked to it on Craft Gossip Sewing:<br />http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-add-a-side-lapped-zipper/2010/05/13/<br />--AnneAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00317150870888315110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-70253822487851557522010-05-13T09:12:07.351-04:002010-05-13T09:12:07.351-04:00Nice work, Gertie, thanks. The dress is gorgeous, ...Nice work, Gertie, thanks. The dress is gorgeous, and you look tres fab in it!<br /><br />Basically, this lapped zipper thing is a bit like putting a fly on pants, right? You've got the bit that you sew onto the side seam to act like a cover for the zip?<br /><br />I could follow what you're doing, but it would be more clear to do a demo one with the placket in a different colour... but no prob's if you can't be bothered. It's a great tute, thanks.<br /><br />My sewing mojo has gone somewhere. I'm v.anxious about sewing again. Weird.<br /><br />WIll keep reading your blog - hopefully the mojo will return.Jennynoreply@blogger.com