A Coverstitch Zipper Application

The coverstitch is a secure way to insert a zipper on purses, tote bags and home dec projects, and it's decorative as well.
Thread your chain looper with a beautiful specialty thread and embellish as you stitch!
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[@TheCynedd]

When I have had to replace zippers in front-zip hooded sweatshirts I prefer using my coverstitch machine instead of my sewing machine. Great video as always, Gail. 👍🧵

[@GailPatriceDesign]

TheCynedd What a great idea. I like zip front hoodies because with a jersey or turtleneck underneath, the neckline is still comfortable. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips and the suggestion!

[@lindabridges445]

Your tutorials are so helpful ! Thank you so much. I have the BabyLock Enlighten and the Janome CoverPro 2000. Love them both.

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Linda Bridges thanks, Linda. Happy that they’ve been helpful. Let me know if you have questions-will be happy to hear from you! Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@lynncranmer8489]

This is a great video for installing zippers! Thanks, Gail

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Lynn Cranmer glad to hear from you. That means you’re still safe and in one piece! Thanks for watching and hope the weather is improving!

[@LAwigTalk]

Thanks so much for your tips. I just got a new Janome cover stitch machine! My first, So excited!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Lorraine Pierce Have fun with your new wonderful machine and please send questions if you need help. Coverstitching is so fantastic for knit garments and is beautiful as a decorative element as well. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips and check out my Pinterest Board Serge Outside the Seams!

[@glendamarsh9452]

WOWSER,,,,I've got to try this!! Gorgeous!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi Glenda, it’s a beautiful way to insert a zipper. Plus it’s super easy and the decorative thread really adds so much visual pop. Let me know if you have questions and I’ll be happy to answer them. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

I am using the Baby Lock Ovation in this Tip cLip. I now have a Baby Lock Triumph. All of their sergers are wonderful!❤️💕

[@india239]

I had a top of the range Bernina combi machine. I love Bernina machines but this was a heap of junk. I bought a Baby Lick Evolution and I love it. I use it with a standalone Bernina L220 coverstitch machine as I am lazy about switching back and forth

[@GailPatriceDesign]

@@india239 Hi India, That's why it's nice to have options for machine styles and types. Everyone has different preferences and if you have the space to have 2 machines, it's efficient to just move from 1 machine to another and not convert stitch modes. Let me know if you have questions about any techniques. Happy to help and thanks for watching!

[@murraymills6409]

I decided to buy the Ovation a few months ago after watching a lot of your videos and I am so happy I did. Fairly new to sewing just 8 months but have made couple of shirts and some T-shirts which have been quite successful.

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Murray Mills Hi Murray, congratulations on your Ovation purchase and successful sewing projects! I love hearing that a new sewist is diving right into Serger projects too. Please let me know if you have questions or need help with anything. Will be happy to hear from you and thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@sandravanlankvelt7975]

I love love love my Ovation and have made many projects on it have fun Murray you will find how easy it is it just zips through projects at 1,500 stitches per minute LOLOL.

[@maximumlearning]

this is another great video by Gail -- I was wondering if you wanted a lined simple pouch how would you do it?

[@magdalenamartin2618]

Genial Gail. Muchas gracias desde Madrid. 🙋‍♀️

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Nice to hear from you-thanks for watching!

[@KumkumKat]

I just bought my Brother cover stitch machine. I have a Brother sewing machine and Brother overs locker . I love your video and your lovely voice. Your expectations are so deep also easy to understand. I love watching your useful video. Can you make video to put zipper using over locker please ? I have an issue to put zipper using sewing machine specially invisible zip. Thank you so much.

[@GailPatriceDesign]

K Kat Hi K Kat, check out the Zipper Insertion with a Cording Foot Tip Clip. It is in overlock mode. An invisible zipper isn’t appropriate for overlock or coverstitch mode if you want it to really be invisible (as it typically appears in garments). The cording foot makes fast, accurate zipper insertion super easy. Feel free to ask any questions, I’ll be happy to hear from you. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@ribionakzalatoi]

Very instructive video, thanks for sharing this tutorial! Could you please tell me which foot you are using in this video on your Ovation? It looks much narrower than the standard foot which comes with the serger (the right needle is so close to the edge of the foot). I could not find a resembling foot in the accessories for the ovation. Thanks ;)

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi-The Cover/Chainstitch Foot is one of my favorites for cover stitching. It is about 1/3 slimmer than the standard foot and is fantastic for zipper application and stitching bindings, etc. It is an accessory foot for cover/chainstitching, not overlocking (as you've probably already figured out)! The part # is: BLE8-CCF. Let me know if you have more questions-happy to hear from you and thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@susanclay6959]

What make and model of machine are you using in this video?

[@kooldesinzblm]

Fabulous..I can see doing this zipper on a jacket or skirt

[@GailPatriceDesign]

ms vee not sure how well this technique will work on a skirt but definitely will on a jacket. Keep me posted on your results and thanks for watching!

[@Beencouraged777]

How did you get three stitches in one pass?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi Yvette, Sergers with cover stitch capability or dedicated cover stitch machines (no overlock, just cover stitch) often have a triple cover stitch. It uses 3 needles and a chain looper thread. Some machines may have just 2 needles that produce a narrow cover stitch that is seen on hems of many ready-to-wear T-shirts and other knit garments. Having 3 needles gives more stitch options. You can do a triple stitch, a wide coverstitch (left and right needles, no center one), a narrow stitch (center and right or left needles). Let me know if you have more questions-will be happy to help and thanks for watching!

[@VivianLeesy]

How did you cut off the zip please?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi Sau-Yee, When the side seams are overlocked, the knife cuts off the zip. Always use a zip with nylon teeth-never metal. Metal teeth will break the needles and possibly damage the machine. Also open the zip halfway before stitching the side seam so that you don’t cut off the zip pull. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@brighterhoopes]

Could you skip the fold over part if you were doing the decorative stitch on the top? Seems like you wouldn't have to use the wonder tape with right sides together. Tou could just use it on the bottom and have the right side up. The decorative stitches/chain looper threads would cover the raw edges, right? Is there a good reason to have right sides together and the fold over for that process?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi Becky, I’m not clear on what part of the construction you’re referring to on the “fold over” step. Is it the zipper application or side seams? It’s always fun to hear a new approach so I’m curious to know about yours. Thanks for contacting me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Happy Sewing and Serging!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

@@brighterhoopes hi Becky, yes, you could leave the raw edge exposed and then cover it with the coverstitch. You’ll have to test your stitch length with your choice of decorative thread to get good coverage of the raw edge. Another possibility would be to do a rolled hem on the raw edge and then coverstitch right next to it. It’s fun thinking up new ways to construct a simple bag. Send me a pic when you finish your bag and thanks for the the new inspiration!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

@@brighterhoopes Not sure if my reply went through or not, so I'll repeat it. I've not had great luck with wooly nylon in Coverstitch mode except for a triple cs. You might want to also experiment with 12 wt and 8 wt threads in the chain looper. They're lovely and give great coverage.

[@GailPatriceDesign]

@@brighterhoopes I think the stretchiness of the wooly nylon isn't always the best choice in cs mode, but it's great for overlocking.