If you love to design your own clothes, you might find yourself confused while trying to pick the right zipper. Understanding some of the tiny differences between zippers that all sewers should know will help your efforts in designing the best attire possible.
All-Purpose
The zippers that many sewers use most often are the so-called all-purpose zippers. These zippers feature small teeth and are generally light, with an end that features a lock that prevents the zipper tape from coming apart.
Many articles of clothing use this particular style of the zipper as a closure. You will need a heavy-duty fastener for a seam to move or bend with the line of a garment.
Invisible
Sewers often employ invisible zippers for most pieces of formal wear because they don’t hinder the flow of a garment. These invisible zippers have fine teeth that should be sewn into the item, concealing them in the seam. The only evident part is the pull tab, which is typically smaller or less intrusive compared to those of other zippers.
These invisible zippers don’t have the same length as all-purpose zippers and are also not as colorful either. But any color will do since you can conceal them in the seam. Also, it is best to use special sewing machine feet to stitch an invisible zipper since the feet can keep the coil still to conceal the stitching.
Jeans
Zippers on jeans feature brass teeth as well as a limited slider that serves as a smooth cover flap. These zippers are durable and sturdy, matching the longevity of the jeans themselves. Unlike plastic-molded and nylon coil zippers, the strong brass jeans zippers have a nose that closes the asymmetrical seam, which means that the slider should face the right way.
Separating
As you guessed it, separating zippers separate at the bottom. The kind of dividing zipper you might need depends on its weight and length. Metal zippers are heavier than plastic or polyester tooth zippers, and they can weigh down something light like a fleece jacket. On the other hand, a heavyweight wool coat can take advantage of the stiffness and strength of a metal zipper.
Specialty
Some items of clothing have exceptional zippers that work only on that specific item. For instance, sleeping bags feature extra-long separating zippers that can often reach a length of 100 inches.
On the other hand, certain materials have tiny zippers that are just 4 inches long, and these are more likely found on children’s dolls. It is nearly impossible to find these specialty zippers in a retail shop, so you might need to look online or go to a fabric store.
Knowing these tiny differences in zippers that all sewers should know can help any seamster in their endeavors of choosing the right fasteners. In case you are looking for the most effective zippers and other zipper parts as replacements for your next project, you can check out https://www.zippershipper.com/brass-metal-zippers to find a massive selection of options available that will suit your specific needs!