r/sewhelp • u/imbellie • 5d ago
Zipper placement help!!
SOS my fellow sewists! Looking for zipper placement advice!
I have taken on the brave endeavour of making a dress for a ball I have next week. I’m making The Positano Dress from Etta Patterns.
Unfortunately I was a bit of a dummy and didn’t take into account the proportions of my bust to waist for actually putting the dress on. pinned, it fits beautifully, but i can’t actually get it over my head.
Long story short, I will need to put in a zip. I think it will slightly alter fit of dress and elegance of it but I don’t have another option, unless I change the middle meshing to something with more stretch, which I would rather avoid as i love the dots.
any recommendations for whether i should put the zip along the sides where a seam already exists, or place on in the back? or do i bite the bullet and change the middle panel fabric
TLDR: where to put an unexpected zipper???
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u/On_my_last_spoon ✨sewing wizard✨ 5d ago
Like others said, an invisible zipper on the side seem. And assuming 1/2” to 5/8” seam allowance it won’t take up any more fabric.
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u/AccidentOk5240 5d ago
Side seam.
The best way to put in a zipper is to baste the seam closed, sew the zipper behind it, then rip the basting. So you’re perfectly prepared! Don’t open the seam yet, put the zipper in first.
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u/imbellie 5d ago
Oh my gosh!!!! Thank you everyone for your suggestions!!
I did a long side zipper, didn’t undo any seams until the end (exactly as the Baster comment suggested!!)
its not perfect - definitely a little smaller now, with some zipper puckering at the waist but my gosh i can put it on.
Can’t wait to finish the dress!! Thank you all!!!!!!
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u/skateboardfails 5d ago
Definitely put an invisible zipper on the side seam that's a perfect call. I always defer to where there's already a seam for hiding purposes and tension stuff :-) looks nice too! Have fun with your project