How to Insert a Zip and Sew Piping on an Overlocker

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► Babylock Desire 3 www.sewessential.co.uk/baby-l...
► Babylock 5mm piping foot for coverlock machines www.sewessential.co.uk/baby-l...
► Babylock 5mm piping foot for overlocker machines www.sewessential.co.uk/baby-l...
► Babylock foot set for coverlock machines www.sewessential.co.uk/baby-l...
► Babylock foot set for overlocker machines www.sewessential.co.uk/baby-l...
► Sew Essential overlocker range www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Janome foot set for zips and piping www.sewessential.co.uk/janome...
► Brother overlocker piping foot www.sewessential.co.uk/brothe...
► Husqvarna overlocker piping foot www.sewessential.co.uk/inspir...
► Pfaff overlocker piping foot www.sewessential.co.uk/inspir...
► How to sew piping for dressmaking • How to Sew Piping for ...
► How to create your own bias binding • Simplicity Bias Tape M...
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I'm so excited to show you some brilliant overlocker sewing techniques this week - how to sew a zip on an overlocker and also how to sew piping on an overlocker.
I used my Babylock Desire 3 coverlock machine and the 5mm piping and cording foot.
For the zip I used a standard dress and skirt zip with plastic teeth that was much longer than the length of fabric I was using to give me room to manoeuvre the zip teeth under the foot and in the groove on the piping and cording foot. I would never use a metal teeth zip with my overlocker. This technique is great for bag making and purses and the like. You could possibly use it for dressmaking, although you'd have to consider how to start and finish the ends, perhaps with your sewing machine.
I used a three thread overlocking stitch with a stitch length of 3 and width of 7.5, stitch selector on A and no differential feed. I pinned the zip right sides together with the main fabric and then pinned the lining to the other side of the zip lining up the raw edges and stitched in place. I then closed the zip and pinned the fabrics to the other zip tape then opened the zip to stitch in place. It creates a lovely neat zip thanks to the feet feeding through the channel in the foot.
For the piping I used a 3mm piping cord and created my own binding using my rotary cutter and cutting board. The piping was 3.5cm wide. I used the same settings on my Babylock Desire 3 and stitched the cord into the binding first then stitched it between the two layers of fabric. Again, a lovely, neat even finish thanks to the channel on the piping foot.
These feet are available for Babylock coverlock and overlocker machines on our site and I've added links to them all below.
You can also purchase a set of feet for some of the Janome overlockers, which has a channel wide enough for zip teeth and will also allow you to sew two widths of piping and I've included links for this below. You can purchase Brother, Pfaff and Husqvarna feet that will allow you to sew piping, but aren't wide enough for the zips and I've linked those below. Always check for compatibility with your make and model of machine and drop us an email if you need any help.
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00:00 Introduction
01:02 Overlocker piping feet explanation
03:25 Preparing the fabric
05:38 Overlocking the first side of the zip
07:11 Pinning the fabric for the other side of the zip
10:02 Overlocking the other side of the zip
11:54 Overlocking piping cord into custom made binding
15:36 Overlocking the piping between two layers of fabric
17:20 Conclusion

[@juliemulie1805]

Nicely done and clear video, thank you! I'm sure I'm not the only one to own several feet, but forget to use them.

[@SewEssential]

Thanks for the lovely feedback and, no, you're definitely not alone on that one!

[@julieallen9370]

What a fantastic tutorial. I have used overlockers for years and never thought to do anything other than seams etc. Thank you so much Lucy.

[@ruthlanwarne8978]

REALLY NEAT FINISH Lucy. I’m just about to make a cushion that I’m piping so very helpful. I’ll watch the other video about using a machine though as don’t have those extra feet. Many thanks. 😊

[@jeaninetunnicliffe9486]

Thank you for all your Babylock demos. Really well explained with clear video. I have the Gloria, its a fantastic machine and rarely use any of my other feet. ( I do have this one) Your demo has inspired me to give it a try. Merry Christmas!!

[@cynthiasloan3867]

I may give that a try, you make it look so easy. Have wonderful holidays everyone.

[@TriBeccaDesigns]

Great tutorial. The piping is so professionally done.

[@ritaadler-everett5392]

Thanks Lucy! I really want to try this. But I have a Baby Lock Celebrate Serger. It wasn't mentioned in the list of machines you gave. I'll have to check, because this is brilliant and looks so easy! Your mat is great as well. It reminds me of corn on the cob, 😄.

[@johnmarshall124]

Thank you, I've been using the normal foot and slipping off the zip, ruined too many zips, I will now try the Piping foot. J.

[@ninaspalace]

Love your techniques videos especilally. Like all your videos. Thank you. 🌄

[@peeshyholland433]

I love the demos. I learn so much from them. I have a Husqvarna serger/cover stitch machine and I don’t like it. I have trouble with changing the feet and when I go to change the needles they always fall out and it takes me several times to get them to stay in. Any tips?

[@tammymasson2343]

You make excellent tutorials! Merry Christmas to you! See you in the new year!

[@MrTalnoy]

I just tried inserting a #5 zipper with the P5 foot on my Victory overlocker for some kind of pouch. I worked, but the gap between zipper teeth and fabric is almost zero, so stretching outer/lining out of the way when top stitching is necessary, otherwise the zipper pull will catch the fabric. Nice trick though.

[@aendesigner3542]

Fantastic

[@craftymystic4868]

Thanks! I do already have that foot, so will try this. (I have the Celebrate).

[@SewEssential]

Great! Enjoy it's a lot of fun

[@irisfrady6586]

I purchased a bernette b68 airlock witch serges,cover stitches and does combos. Can I purchase these feet for mine?