Front Fly Zip Tutorial

Welcome to another tutorial! I’ve been asked by multiple people to do a tutorial on how to do a zip fly. I hope you all find this helpful!
What I’m wearing:
M6434 modified into a popover: mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6436
S8056 Trousers: www.simplicity.com/simplicity...
Don’t forget to follow me on social media so you don’t miss a thing!
Blog: www.tomkatstitchery.com/
Instagram: / tomkatstitcherycarmel
Facebook: / tomkatstitcherycarmel

[@ellainebedford6562]

My first time doing a fly front. I couldn't make head nor tail of the pattern and so I took to KZbin and found your tutorial. I wouldn't say I did a perfect job but the job is done! Thank you so much.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@HapiMrs]

Thank you! I saved this video for reference as I need it. I LOVE these impromptu sewing lessons. Please continue to bless us with more.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It’s my pleasure and there will be many more!

[@Coastalanne54]

Thank you for your explanation on why some ladies zippers are folded in a different direction. I thought my pattern was wrong and was totally confused.😅. Love your tutorials!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@stellaunger8568]

Thank you! I’ve never done a fly front but will now. Have a fabulous day Whitney 🌺

[@mariannepastuch9197]

Thanks for this. So many questions answered. Hope you and your family had a blessed Easter.

[@Tina06019]

This tutorial is the reason I subscribed.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad!

[@laurajones4088]

Great tutorial with lots of helpful tips, Whitney! I prefer a grown on fly shield, too-so much easier.

[@miriamcihal8409]

You’re a great teacher. Love your videos!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much! That’s lovely to hear!

[@tammylem5248]

So glad I found this. Stuck on Uplands. 😝. I always like your videos.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@annaholliday161]

I ve been. Sewing along. I've got the zipper in! I had many picking to do! I got on the video and got it in! Now I will go to the next sew pant video! So pleased!

[@TomKatStitchery]

This is fantastic! I’m so pleased!

[@janlattimer5006]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. Just what I needed!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad! It’s not that hard once you break it down. You’ll be flying through zip flys in no time!

[@SewFelicia]

Thanks for the detailed fly instructions. Really helped out

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@lois7055]

Brilliant. You are a fantastic teacher.

[@711Union]

I have ti save this, Whitney.I so enjoy your wonderful video instruction.

[@DoloresDeeBodnar]

I Love this. I will be referring back to this tutorial my times. Thx

[@carolinetebbutt7518]

Thank you so much for this video. The pattern instructions were definitely not brilliant and your video has just made everything come together. Now on to Part II to finish off the pants (trousers on my side of the pond!).

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@linsbaumeister]

This video is amazing, I wish I'd watched it before i tried to follow some badly written instructions and had to unpick and start again!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@annaholliday161]

When watching I see your good instruction. Wanting to keep so may watch again. Got my zipper in and looks so good! I'm very proud of these pants as they fit snug and needed a 1/2 taking out at zipper dot. Need to do this when cutting out can't do it now that they are sewn. Did fit and tried pant on as sewed side and back. Thank you for the tutorial on all sewn pieces.

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure and good luck in all your pant making endeavors!

[@annedawahare9243]

Thanks for this detailed tutorial

[@elizabethhoops992]

Great explanation Whitney! Thank you for referring me to this tutorial. I'm going to be making the New Look N6643 and your tips and visuals will be valuable. Liz

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad!

[@annettelong7111]

Thanks Whitney, you saved me buying the expansion pack for the Lander pants, great tutorial x

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@kscheuerman5378]

Whitney, thanks for the useful info. I have only put a zipper into a dress/skirts & replaced many zippers in jeans. Take care, God Bless.

[@nashonedavidson4726]

This was perfect!!! Thank you

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@sallydingle321]

Great tutorial Whitney 👌....now I can try to attempt some zipped trousers at last, and have a great tutorial to refer back to...thanks so much 😁💝👍😘

[@TomKatStitchery]

As always, it’s my pleasure!

[@DMmakes]

Thank you for this! I just finished a jeans and in the pattern the fly shield was inserted before the top stitching on the front. That was way more difficult because i had to pull the shield out f the way while top stitching, but i still caught it on the back and it was a mess😥! Now it is clear, how i can make it easier and better!

[@lenejensen9297]

Thank you so very much

[@karina543]

Great tutorial 👏👏

[@openbeta5695]

Ive been searching for a simple yet practical tutorial, for ages, thank you for this one. So helpful and clear. Thanks for informing us on the exact seam allowances to follow. Although I do not own the pattern, I was able to deduct it through trial and error. Perhaps the exact measurements of these fly pieces can be added to a future updated version of this video. Regardless, I finally lost my fear of making pants out of lack of zip fly pattern knowledge . I thank you immensely. Xoxox

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@marychamberlain9535]

You should really offer classes. You're awesome!

[@user-ld9tq4bu4q]

I love your earrings!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@yougotmeinstitches1847]

Haya. thank u for showing this.I have currently on my table to sew, the Landers & I have never sewn a fly. Thanku for sharing. Anna. x

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@karolprior2436]

Great tutorial..... and I love that top on you, it really suits. X

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! I love a good popover/buttondown 😉.

[@constancergarcia7258]

Great, thank you. 😉

[@EileenR11]

Really helpful. I was just looking at this pattern. One question: I would instinctively have tried to line the zipper teeth up with the seam opening - like when you are making cushions. But I think you offset it a bit, when you lined the edge up its the overlocked edge. Have I got that right?

[@TomKatStitchery]

You offset it and line the teeth with the serges edge. You’ve got it right!

[@anitahaynes6171]

Thanks. I almost get it but having problem of clearing my mind of old ways I was taught. They never worked.

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I get it. Reteaching myself anything can be a bigger challenge than learning it in the first place!

[@EndlesslyHopeful]

Love this video! I would love for you to do a video on how to do a full seat adjustment when you put out the pant sew along. I know that there are a few out there but none of them really address what to do when there are pleats or back pockets that can become distorted with many of the common wedge or cut and spread methods.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Unfortunately, I've already filmed and uploaded the sew along, but I could probably address this in another tutorial in the near future. Stay tuned!

[@EndlesslyHopeful]

@@TomKatStitchery Oh yes! A future tutorial would be amazing! Even if it's just demonstrated on paper. ❤

[@MrsKatieP]

Hi Whitney! I hope you had a great 4th! This was a super helpful tutorial. The first time I sewed this pattern was my first fly zip and I followed the printed directions, so it was quite the challenge. Second time around, with your video by my side, it was *much* easier. So thank you! Thank you for taking the time to video tape it, I really appreciate it. I do have a question for you. I have sewn this pattern twice now and both times the fly barely covers the zipper. I am not certain how to get the zip to fall farther away from the opening. And how to gauge that while I'm sewing (both times I didn't realize the issue until the zipper was totally done and I can't bring myself to rip it all out and start over). I used jeans zippers which are larger, but even still, I think the zipper teeth should be in the middle of the fly like my RTW pants. Thanks in advance!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Hmmm. It could be that the zipper is too fat for the fly to go over and reach the center. It could also be that the larger zipper has a wider zipper tape so it’s setting the zipper too far past the center.

[@saskiapoppeliers]

Thank you once again for this tutorial. My next project also includes a zip. Less adventurous, a sleeping bag for a doll.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I love that! And doll sewing is not unadventurous! It’s hard!

[@wendydehaas4615]

Hello, i hope it is ok to still ask a question even though the video was posted 4 years ago. I followed your tutorial but my zipper is very visible on the outside and not hidden behind the flyshield like on your finished item. Now I haven't closed the waistband yet because I am hoping there is still a way to fix it. How do I prefend this next time and how can I fix it this time?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Hmmm. I'm not sure what happened that the zipper isn't sitting back. I have another zip fly tutorial here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5a8d6OhrrWtftksi=GQsgzuZHQyI1iOkl . I'm doing this one on jeans, but the process is the same. Maybe this one will help? As far as the current pants, I would just unpick the zipper and start over.

[@miriamcihal8409]

Seems to me there is a lot of seam allowances over tummy area if you have to sew on the fly extension. If the pattern fits so well, wouldn’t it be worth the time to just add that portion to existing pattern?

[@TomKatStitchery]

It really isn’t too bulky in that area, however, you could totally just make that a grown on fly and eliminate the seam. It would be a very easy pattern adjustment!

[@goodnewstoday5901]

I've tried multiple times and cannot make sense of it I had to go to other tutorials to make sense of this. Edit: I'mma place it down and retry this video tomorrow.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Sure! Let me know if you have any specific questions!

[@annettelundy948]

Thanks for this tutorial. I think you could explain things better if you could use both hands.

[@TheVic923]

Should one wish to add a fly how wide would it need to be? Love the video and thank you for all you do for us.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Do you mean adding on a grown on fly extension to the pant front? If so, I would do probably do around 1.5”.

[@nserica]

Thanks for the video, it was a big help. A few suggestions for future videos: this is NOT a sew-a-long video. When giving instructions it would be helpful if you didn’t talk so much. If a viewer misses a step they have to listen to unnecessary chatter which can be very frustrating.

[@TomKatStitchery]

This was one of my first sew along videos. Hopefully, I’ve made some positive changes since then!

[@nserica]

TomKat Stitchery Thank you, I’ve already added more of your videos to my watch list.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Erica Reese I love to hear that!

[@suzannelandau9039]

Am I the only one who feels like I’m on a rollercoaster trying to watch this? Please get an overhead stable support for your camera. It’s such a great video, it deserves a more professional approach. Feeling queasy.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Sorry about that! This was an early sew along. My equipment has come a long way since this one!

[@stonewarebirds3620]

I am so disappointed, i was using this pattern and got stuck on the fly. I have cut trouser patterns and cut them in the past, but the instructions for this just became unintelligible, so when i found this video i thought it would pick up from where i was stuck and i would be able to make the pattern work. However, you (no doubt sensibly because the pattern is rubbish) were using a different method which because i was half way through their method didn’t work for me. Now i just don’t know what to do, i have a total mess. Why is this pattern called Simplicity, but it isn’t? Not your fault i know, but i really thought you were going to take me through the patterns method. I am making expensive pinstriped wool trousers for my daughter’s 17th and i have ruined them.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh no! There is nothing more frustrating than getting stuck on a spot! I filmed this tutorial a few years ago so I don't remember how closely I followed the instructions, but I do have a tendency to follow my own preferred methods. Where are you stuck?

[@stonewarebirds3620]

@@TomKatStitchery thank you for the offer of help, i really appreciate that, but i found a different methodology completely and finally managed to resolve the issue a third way, luckily i had enough fabric to recut some of the smaller pieces. I am dreading the waist band instructions will be similarly incomprehensible so will read them with the remainder of your video hoping they corresponded this time.

[@TomKatStitchery]

@@stonewarebirds3620 I’m so glad you were able to resolve the issue! Let me know if need any further help!

[@stonewarebirds3620]

@@TomKatStitchery thank you, i am nothing if not persistent, but it came at a cost to my chronic health.