Zips
Note: Only a small selection is available online, so please get in touch if you need something specific and we will gladly help.
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Choosing the Right Zip
Whether you are finishing a dress or making a bag, the right zip makes all the difference. Our nylon dress zips are light and flexible, a good match for dresses, skirts and cushion covers, while our two way closed end metal zips are stronger and built for bags, as a two way zip can be opened from either end.
Always check your pattern for the zip length, and buy a little extra if you are unsure, as a longer zip can be shortened to fit. A zipper foot lets you sew close to the teeth, and you will find one in Sewing Accessories, with matching thread in Threads. If you are making a bag, our Bag Making supplies have the webbing and hardware to go with it.
Zip FAQs
What zip length should I buy for a dress or skirt?
Follow the length given in your pattern, and if you are unsure, buy one a little longer, because a zip can always be shortened but never lengthened. SewMag’s dressmaking tips suggest buying a zip 5cm longer than required, and New Mexico State University’s guide to zips explains how to shorten one with a bar tack, with more dressmaking supplies in our Dressmaking and Tailoring range. Our Nylon Dress Zips are at The Cheap Shop, and a few spare centimetres give you room to play.
How do I sew in a dress zip?
Baste the zip in place, switch to a zipper foot so you can sew close to the teeth, then stitch down one side, across the bottom and up the other. Seamwork’s centred zip tutorial walks through each step, and Threads Monthly suggests a stitch length of 3 to 3.5mm and either hand basting or Wondertape to hold the zip in place. The Hemline Adjustable Zipper/Piping Foot in our Sewing Accessories range is the tool for the job, with Gutermann thread from Threads at The Cheap Shop to match.
What is a two way zip, and what is it good for?
A two way zip can be opened from either end, which makes it a handy choice for bags. Wikipedia’s overview of zips describes two way closed end zips as closed at both ends and often used in luggage, and our Bag Making range has the webbing and hardware to go with one. Our Two Way Closed End Metal Zips are a sturdy choice at The Cheap Shop.