judith
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Inserting a zip HELPI understand how to insert a centred zip at an existing seam, but how the heck do you do it neatly if there isn't a seam? (This is for a circle skirt - starting from a whole circle, not two half-circles, if that helps at all).
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Chez
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I thought this was going to be about hard-drives. Sorry 
*wanders out again*
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judith
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I know how to do that. 
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Chez
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I think, do you make a zip-length cut and then face it with revere thingies, that you can then jiggle to sit nicely along the edges of the zip?
Technically speaking.
That's what I would do, anyway - but I am a well-known 'bodge it and scarper' seamstress.
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judith
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| Chez wrote: | | revere thingies |
I can sort of see what you mean, but won't that end up with a lump where the zip ends?
Am currently toying with the idea of sewing an unnecessary seam so that I have something to set the zip into.
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wellington womble
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You need Sally or Helen (or any one of several dozen other accomplished dressmakers I have just dismissed in one fell swoop, probably) I've no idea, be interesting to find out, though.
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Dogwalker
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Is it a complete circle with no seam at all?
You'd need a slit the length of the zippy part of the zip and turn in the edge(which would leave a small pleat from the bottom of the zip to hem)or add a facing.
It would be easiest to cut the full length of the skirt and make a seam to put the zip into.
Glad it wasn't computers - don't know about them.
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Chez
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FACING. That's what I meant.
*waves to Dogwalker*
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judith
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| Dogwalker wrote: | | Is it a complete circle with no seam at all? |
Yes. I just can't see how you can avoid having exposed bits of cut fabric that are bound to fray.
| Quote: | | It would be easiest to cut the full length of the skirt and make a seam to put the zip into. |
Yep. The more I think about it, the more that seems to be the only way to do it.
And I was really pleased at the thought of not having any seams in the skirt. Ho hum.
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Dogwalker
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You'd still end up with part of the facing showing though.
What sort of fabric is it,thick, thin, drapey, patterned, plain.
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judith
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It is pale blue cotton with large polka dots. Not the drapiest, but there are going to be petticoats.
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Dogwalker
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Can't type quick enough.
If you cut a rectangle of spare fabric a bit bigger than the zip, fold in and stitch the sides and bottom, lay it right sides together where the zips to go, stitch down,across the bottom,and up the side then cut between the stitching you shouldend up with a neat egde to set the zip into.
That's how I'd do it anyway,trying to visualize it and explain, tricky.
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Dogwalker
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the dots might cause a prolem matching the pattern.
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lottie
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With no seam you can put in an exposed zip with a facing at the back but the zip teeth would show which I suspect isn't what you want----unless you wear a top over the skirt rather than tucked in or make a top stitched feature of the zip.
Edited to say---sorry Dogwalker already been there---not one fingered typer like me.
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judith
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So, after you have cut the fabric, would you turn the facing in to the inside of the skirt before inserting the zip?
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Chez
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Do you need to know now-this-minute or can you wait until tomorrow? Ma has an original 1950's full skirt (which is what you are describing?) that she made herself and I can go and look tomorrow afternoon and see how she did it.
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judith
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I could really do with getting it done tonight, unfortunately - dress rehearsal tomorrow evening.
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Chez
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Ah.
Well in that case, do you really *need* a zip in it? I would probably do something with facings so that there was a large overlap underneath the gap. You will have all those petticoats underneath to stop people seeing your roll on.
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Cathryn
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I will ring my Mum. You will probably need a seam though, just as suggested.
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Dogwalker
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yes and if you could sew very narrow seams you wouldn't lose too much pattern.
You could hide the zip by using two pieces for the facing,having one folded in half under the zip with the skirt edge over near the zippy part, andthe other narrow seamed to the other edge, turned under and stitched over the zip to match the edge, abit like a jeans zip.
In fact that would probably be the best way i think, difficult without it in front of me, usually do these things by handling the fabric.
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Cathryn
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I don't need to ring Mum, dogwalker has the best way.
(Would an elasticated waist be out ofthe question now?)
You are a last minute woman aren't you. Any warning of your next project?
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Dogwalker
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If it's not going to be seen too close up it should be too critical anyway should it?
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Chez
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You haven't met any of her WI yet, have you? 
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Dogwalker
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Oh well you never mentioned WI. It had better be perfect then.
Although I have been known to mend and return a childs party dress which I'd been given to cut up for a wallhanging cos I couldn't bear to cut it.
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judith
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| Cathryn wrote: | | You are a last minute woman aren't you. Any warning of your next project? |
Pah!
Last minute would be half an hour before the performance. There's ages to go before then.
ETA, I am rather regretting not going for the elasticated waist, but I think it might be too short now if I do.
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judith
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| Dogwalker wrote: | | Oh well you never mentioned WI. It had better be perfect then. |
Nah. We are very relaxed. No doilies, jam or perfect seams for us.
(Nor ability to sing and dance in time to music, or so it appeared this afternoon!)
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Chez
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When's the show, then? Can I come and stay that week?
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judith
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I didn't realise you had masochistic tendencies.
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Chez
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I'm trying to get some self-flagellation worked up so I can do something regrettable in a month or two and be able to enjoy it afterwards rather than feel guilty. Kind of like a guilt-savings-bank.
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judith
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Well the way it looked and sounded today, you could probably earn yourself something pretty heinous!
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Chez
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Ah, that sounds just what I'm looking for. You're not publishing the dates so that you don't get a back row of downsizers throwing popcorn and jeering at your stitching, then?
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judith
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Yup!
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Chez
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Wuss. 
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lottie
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Yes you turn the facing you've put r.s.to r.s. underneath-Cut the facing to 2" longer than the zip and a couple of inches wider--mark where the zip will be then stich a quarter of an inch round where the zip will be.Cut along the zip area not quite at the end and do a tiny snip into the corners then turn the facing to inside the skirt and press --shove the zip underneath the slash and sew in place. Sorry you've probably done this already--went to watch the telly and missed the question. 
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judith
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| lottie wrote: | | Sorry you've probably done this already--went to watch the telly and missed the question. |
No. I haven't done it yet. Bit of a lint problem in my machine.
All sorted now, so I'm going for it. Thanks for the extra detail.
Keep your fingers crossed!
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lottie
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Good luck---it doesn't matter how they're shoved together it looks fine from the audience-- I don't do it now ---but near enough is really good enough for stage clothes---trust me.
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Dogwalker
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Did it work OK.
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judith
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Yes it did.
There's a bit of a lump at the bottom of the zip from folding in the facing, but I don't think it shows too badly.
Thanks everyone for all your help.
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Dogwalker
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Well done, no-one will notice when you're on stage.
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judith
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That's what I'm hoping.
But I'm never going to sew a circle skirt again. That hem went on forever!
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sean
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Are you sure that you didn't just forget to stop sewing when you got back to the beginning?
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judith
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Possibly. A little R&S had been taken by that time.
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mochyn
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And how much cloth did you buy on Saturday then?
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judith
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I was very restrained - I only spent £15.
Pookie, on the other hand, .......
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mochyn
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| judith wrote: | I was very restrained - I only spent £15.
Pookie, on the other hand, ....... |
Why am I not surprised?
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Belinda
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If you ever have to create a circle skirt again, then I'd suggest making it from two semicircles rather than one whole piece of cloth. That way you a) have two existing seams so one can be for the zip, and b) your seams if you've laid it out right will be following the grain of the fabric so the zip will lie straight and flat, and not go all puckered or wonky with strange lumps (which is what can happen if you try to put a zip into a bias-cut seam; the bias edges can stretch and pull whereas a straight-grain seam won't stretch.).
Clear as mud I'm sure, but I'm not bad at zips.
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judith
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No, that does make sense.
I thought it was going to be easier if I did it all in one piece, but obviously not the case.
Not sure that I am ever going to make another - it is not a flattering style, particularly with the petticoats under it. They make me look like a well-padded weeble!
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