Hi Everyone! Let's talk about - Sewing with zippers! Let's be honest, Zippers can be pretty terrifying! But rest assured, practice makes perfect! Early on, hook and loop tape was my go to closure, I let my fear of sewing with zippers influence my decision for the best way to finish my garment. But after a bit of practice, I can now say a zipper closure is definitely the way to go (when appropriate, of course!) There are still many times when snaps or buttons may be best, or a thin piece of hook and loop tape is the most practical (especially for little hands). My hope is that after this course, you will no longer fear zippers and have the confidence to sew one into your doll garment when desired!
So let's dive into this topic and take a look at the different types and installation methods!
In the videos posted below, I share with you an overview of the month long topic, a quick look at the zipper foot, and then a hands on tutorial for inserting and sewing an invisible zipper into your garment. I hope this will encourage and inspire you to try something new!
Pattern Overview (designs with invisible zippers):
Resources:
Invisible zippers can be found just about anywhere, and there's usually a large variety of colors available! You can buy any length, and shorten them to the desired length very easily. If you like to shop online, check out these sources for invisible zippers:
Week One task:
Next Tuesday - Week 2: Separating Zippers...
@Bettie Hi Bettie! Someone else asked this question recently on the FB page and I wrote an answer (which I hope made some sense). I will paste it in here and it might help you to download the videos.
Info about how to download videos on SWC
Good on you for giving it a go! I was so daunted by computers initially, and sometimes “new” computer things still confuse (and exhaust!) me.
To download a current class, you go to the part of Sewing With Cinnamon (on Pixie Faire). I think you are getting that far? Then, left-click once on the link that says just below where it says to download the link. This will open up a new page on your website.
You will now be asked for to enter a password. Sometimes you can copy and paste the password over, but often I find it easiest just to type in the password. (This is because sometimes when you copy the password, you accidentally pick up a space and then the password won’t work when you try and paste it over.)
So, for the zippers class that has just started, once you have the new webpage open and it asks for a password, type in ZIPPERS1711 and press the enter key. (This password was just below the video link on the Sewing with Cinnamon appropriate class page.)
Now you have the big screen open with the video ready to go. Scroll down the page to where the “download” button is and press once (left-click mouse once).
You are now given four options (of the same video) to download. Each one will play with a different quality and has a different storage amount. If you click (left click mouse once) on the first option of SD 360p, you will be able to download the video at a small storage space. This can be handy for your computer, BUT, the video will probably play at a reduced quality. That means, it could stutter (buffer) and be slow to load.
If you can download the option of “Original”, then the video file will take more storage space on your computer BUT the video will play really well (and not stutter). So, I guess it is ideal to download the option of “Original”. To do this, move your cursor under the Original option and left-click the mouse once.
My computer then asks what do I want to do with the file, and I left-click once on “Save As” (or you could click on Save).
Sometimes you have to wait a little while for the next dialog box to show up. When it does (- the “Save As” dialog box-), you can choose where to store your video by looking at the group of folders on the left side (which will include Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc.). I usually choose to left-click once on Downloads (and this will bring up the right place to store your file). Then, you can change the name of the file if you wish. If you look down near the bottom of the box, you will see “File Name” and it might say “SWC – ZIPPER Foot” or something. You might want to change it to your own name (for your reference) or you can leave it as it is. Do not alter the “Save As (file type)” just below the “File Name”.
Now the video should be saved.
I am just going to post this and then type a bit more (but am posting this now in case it disappears on me :-) ).
How fast the video will play, also depends on the connection speed of your internet. You might also have to wait a while during the loading of screens etc (for example, on my laptop, I had to wait up to 5 minutes maximum at times).
If you want to download a whole class (of 3 or 4 lessons) once it is over, you can save these to what is called a “Dropbox” (basically a storage space in the sky) in a similar process.
Sometimes, when downloading the video file, you need to do NOTHING else on the computer during the process as otherwise it may not download correctly. (Sometimes I walk away for a few minutes so I am not tempted to press a key.)
Also, there are a few ways to do the downloading process. This is just how I do it. It is a bit like walking to the shops: you can take different routes to get to the same destination.
Are you able to find a file and open it once it is downloaded? If not, let us know and someone here will help. Also, if my method doesn’t make sense, feel free to ask anymore questions. You can also email the pixiefaire support email address (and Cammie Thomas or Dani) and they may be able to help too. The email address is on the Pixie Faire support page.
It does get easier and more familiar the more often you do it. Best wishes!
support@pixiefaire.com Here is the support email.
With your other question about the sewing class, I wasn’t sure if you meant the Sewing Academy bonus or the Moto-Pants Sew-Along? If you mean the Sewing Academy, the password is mentioned in the Sewing Academy Syllabus (once you open the file). I will message it to you (as I am not sure if I am supposed to post it on here).
I cannot seem to download the videos. I type in the correct code and it vanishes. I would really like to retain these videos.
Thanks you so much for the information on sewing in an invisible zipper. Those have been my pet peeves for some time. Even at my age you learn something every day and learning that you can uncoil the invisible zipper will solve most of my problems. Can’t wait to try it out and see if I truly can make the zipper invisible !
Great information. I may try invisible zippers in doll clothes. Thanks.
@Terri There are a few jackets and hoodies that use separating zippers, pjs and the half zip hoodie that use closed end zippers, but I don’t think there are any dresses. This will be a good one to show how to change a hook and loop tape closure to use a zipper instead!
@Joni @ Leticia – The code looks to be working fine. Just a reminder that it is valid for Liberty jane Brand patterns only :)
@Leticia, thank you – was thinking I was doing it wrong :)
@Joni Jones, Yes I’m also having an issue with the discount code at check out. Code is not being accepted for pattern check out. I’ll try contacting their customer service.
Hi is anyone else having an issue getting the discount code to be accepted at checkout for a pattern?
Are there any patterns designed for Wellie Wishers that use zippers?
Amy Blough
December 08, 2017
For the last 3 month set of videos, we were able to get the package that is listed for sale downloaded for free. It is not working for the shoe videos. I work for a school, and do not have time until summer to plunge into these videos, so I would like to download them for later. Will this work again, or did I miss the boat on the shoe topic? If so, I may want to drop my membership and just buy the videos I am really interested in. Thanks!