How to Sew the Fly/Zipper on Pants

This is a detailed tutorial on how to sew the zipper and fly on a pair of pants. This technique can be used for just about every style of pant.
In the video, I sew the fly to the left - as often seen on men's pants - but the same technique can be mirrored to sew on the opposite side for women's pants.
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[@martinpallmann]

I would love to see a video on finishing edges.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll add it into my list if videos to make!

[@ppr3539]

especially without a serger @@CorneliusQuiring

[@conner3215]

You're not supposed to finish while edging

[@akbar11]

@@conner3215💀

[@gloly]

Hi Cornelius. I started sewing about 3 weeks ago and let me tell you this: your channel is GOLD. I also would love a video about finishing raw edges but I trust that anything you'll upload will be helpful. thank you

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Oh wicked. Well you'v got a world of sewing potential ahead of yourself. I have added the raw edge video to my video feed hopper :) Happy Sewing.

[@cindyrose1961]

I think that what is so cool and useful about these videos is how close and clear the camera get. This way we see the details.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@chrissereque8716]

Thankx so much for a clear tutorial! I read your backstory, and can recall something from my childhood 70+ years ago… living in Tidewater, VA, (now part of Virginia Beach) my father hired a local Mennonite farmer to plow the field behind our house. His English was impeccable, unlike the locals, and my father was very strict about grammar. I was very impressed!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

That's a fun little story. Thanks for sharing.

[@nikkimitchell00]

Holy cow I cannot tell you how grateful for this I am. I bought my son some pants and told him I lnew how to take them in i got to the zipper and realized I clearly CLEARLY I DO NOT know whwt u am doing as i have sew the zipper 3x and still cant get it to work this explains why and how to redeem myself 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣 I just tried to sew the

[@CorneliusQuiring]

We'll I'm glad to hear my video helped you figure it out. Thanks for sharing and may his pants get plenty of use moving forward :)

[@dwightpatton6283]

Thanks, being brand new I can appreciate your detailed teaching. You didn’t assume the viewer knew more than we/I do. Male energy definitely noticeable and again, much appreciated.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Oh wonderful, I am glad to hear that these types of videos are of use to you. Hopefully you can make everything your heart desires as you continue to learn and grow your skills.

[@indymarie8661]

I've been sewing for nearly 40 years, and I still panic when it's time to start the zipper. Thanks for your clear, step by step process; on jeans ...to boot!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I hear you! They can be daunting indeed and thanks for watching. 🙏🏻

[@saraquinn7364]

Corn I can't believe how you always post tutorials for exactly what I need. ❤❤❤❤ Amazing video and astronomical help as always.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Ha! The world works in mysteriously wonderful ways some times :) I am glad to hear that my video was of use to you. Happy Sewing.

[@damehamilton]

Hi Cornelius. Thank you so much. You are great. I’m home with a flu - and spents the time between sleeping on stranded sewing project. Prehaps the flu makes benefits patience, anyway now those pants are finished.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Good on you for getting the pants made. I hope you feel better soon.

[@federicogerlin7734]

I am sure this is the DEFINITIVE tutorial about sewing zipper ♡ thank you very much

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@daisymcpherson7566]

Thank you so much. So easy to follow!! Have sewn my zipper in!! 🥳

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@hyalitebozite]

Corn, I've been waiting for you this all week! Thank you for your content. Sincerely, someone struggling financially and learning how to sew. When I start making enough money I'll throw it at your patreon.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Oh wonderful, I am glad that you value this type of content. Any support is appreciated, even watching these videos (and the ads) helps so thank you already :)

[@angelajane3913]

I checked out your day job, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t something sewing related! I’m a designer too, but I’m lazy and just work on prepress for books now. I’d rather be sewing ☺️

[@CorneliusQuiring]

ha! Well hello fellow designer and may you sew plenty. :)

[@frey_finley]

Thank you so much for your informative & clear videos!! You're a real help!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@movieeater123]

Your videos have really encouraged me to get sewing and not be scared of it

[@CorneliusQuiring]

You've got this my friend. It's just a whole bunch of tiny little manageable steps all stitched together you've got your garment of choice :)

[@cathleenvance4441]

Hi Cornelius, I just purchased your course on how to draft a unisex pant block as well as altering the fit of the pants. I watched the entire process first and I really like your drafting process. I can't wait to get started drafting some pants. So glad you made this information available to us. I love learning everything I can about sewing and especially how to alter patterns. You really are a very good teacher/instructor.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Thank you for following up to let me know. Thank you for purchasing my courses and hopefully your pants turn out exactly as you desire! Happy sewing.

[@wangda2436]

Love this video, every step is so clear. Thank you!!!! This is just what I needed right now❤

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it! Happy sewing.

[@antoniokinsey4041]

As always your videos are explained very thoroughly with clear, understandable visuals. Thanks!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

oh wonderful, I'm glad to hear it :)

[@reenaneufeld8223]

Love your videos! They definitely make sewing new things easier! I successfully added a zipper to a Jean skirt for the first time!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@munchkis]

Hey Cornelius, thanks to YOU I managed to draft and sew a shirt and pants from scratch as a beginner. Your videos are a life-safer and they helped me in the ways I cannot explain (I was especially afraid of drafting). Your channel is a goldmine of useful knowledge and you are a great human being. Thank you for these videos.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I am glad to hear that my video was of use to you. Good on you for drafting your own patterns. It's daunting indeed. Happy sewing.

[@jennymk01]

I DID IT! This is THEE best sewing video I've ever seen. Not once did I have to figure out what you meant or what you were doing. I've only ever done mock flies... but I'm never going to do one again!! This was just too easy and it looks BEAUTIFUL. ❤ THANK YOU! You are a lovely teacher!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

That's awesome. I'm glad to hear you were able to figure it out!

[@banchiebabu9926]

I appreciate your work

[@nikkimitchell00]

Also you are like the Bob Ross of sewing. I could listen to you all day❤❤❤

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@user-vg4zg5si6m]

You did an amazing job with the video. Even I could follow it. Thanks. My shorts look great!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Then my job here is done :)

[@korisnickoime2094]

This helped me a lot❤,thank you and I wish you the best.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@MindMadeThis]

Excellent, well explained tutorial. Subbed and liked. Will be using your videos as my primary go to from now on 💯

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it. Thanks for watching and happy sewing.

[@kerenhaiweha6257]

Finished my first zipper for my first pair of pants using this video! Thank you!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Oh wonderful, I'm glad to hear it. Congrats on your first pair!

[@daryngoodwin9377]

Success!! We did it corn

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Nice! I'm glad to hear it. Good for you!

[@larissaledarocha]

10:41 yeah! I made it this far 😂 Watching you from Brazil!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

You're an unsung hero. Thank you back from Brazil :)

[@meganconnoroot6796]

I always have to use a tutorial to walk me through the steps of inserting a zipper fly, so this isn’t my first rodeo with the process or tutorials on it. But my zipper with this tutorial went in totally smoothly and addressed some questions that I’ve had with other popular sources. (Leaving a small gap between the crotch seam and fly facing, for example.) Bookmarking this forever. ❤

[@CorneliusQuiring]

oh wonderful, I'm glad to hear my video is of use.

[@Sam74252]

You are super great! I love your approach. You made looks so simple. Thanks a lot and God bless.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I am glad to hear that my video was of use to you. Thanks for watching.

[@tiwannak]

This was so on time! Thank you!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I am glad to hear it.

[@Dan-sm5bi]

This video saved me, was having such trouble with this. Thank you

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm glad to hear it. Happy Sewing.

[@Rara-pr9wg]

Thanks for the pattern front fly is my nemesis

[@CorneliusQuiring]

A few more and you'll conquer this final boss!

[@jellyosbahr]

That’s a really helpful guide, thank you.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I am glad to hear that my video was of use to you. Thanks for watching.

[@QuietTom]

I'd love the raw edge finishing video. I'm 55 and just started learning to make me own cloths so all the basic beginner videos are appreciated.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Consider it on my to-do list. Good on you for getting into sewing. Hopefully you're able to make everything you desire.

[@fatinejad1292]

Thank you from belgium

[@CorneliusQuiring]

and thank you back from Canada.

[@nadia-kor]

Excellent tutorial, sir! Thank you!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I'm chuffed to hear it. Thanks for watching.

[@karendavey]

Thanks for sharing we appreciate watching from Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Oh wonderful, I'm glad to hear it and greetings back from Canada 🇨🇦

[@nitighelani5622]

Thank you, really helpful 🙏🏼

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@ParkerFaith]

The odd thing I only recently noticed prior to your post regarding zipper directions is that while slacks are just as you mentioned in terms of opposites etc, however jeans ie mens levis and womens levis only comparison to date, are the same zipper opening direction.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

It's interesting how that goes eh? It really makes you realize how "made up" it all is :)

[@CaptainRScott]

Thanks Tex

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@lornefenna9824]

Great advice here, thank you. Would you be able to teach us button fly too please? Planning to make my first jeans soon, wish me luck 😉

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I've been thinking about doing a video about button flys. Good to know there's an interest!

[@Jale.V]

The zippers / buttons were done on different sides to illustrate if it was a garment for a man or woman.

[@syahgisi4226]

thank you sir I am in the middle of sewing my first pair of DIYed pants, and for the life of me I could not understand how to attach the zipper until now

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I am glad to hear that my video was of use to you. Thanks for watching.

[@meghapuri9826]

Such a helpful tutorial... Thank you, your content helps me a lot with my projects. I had one question though... Why do we stitch the bottom part of the front panels before we put in the fly and not after?

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Good question. Because it wouldn't be possible to sew all the way up to meet the fly. We top stitch in various stages which causes this. Happy Sewing.

[@meghapuri9826]

@@CorneliusQuiring thank you for clarifying... Happy sewing

[@aoifa_silverDragon]

Thanks

[@CorneliusQuiring]

how very generous of you. Thank you.

[@sarahs784]

Nice one Corn! Cheers for your clear and patient explanation. I'm guessing that false flies, like you get in pyjama trousers, are similar, but without the zip being added. PS British English uses pyjamas, trousers and zip, please substitute pajamas, pants and ziipper, which I believe are the north American equivalent!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Yep, the would be sewing basically the same way, except for putting in the zipper but also, stitching the back flap onto the front flap so there isn't a hole. I hope that makes sense :) Also, it's interest how our english has diverged with time.

[@woman178]

Learning sincerely

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@seeingmine]

you' re fantastic

[@pincdesign]

Oft… that was a new kind of hell… but it’s done… thanks for the guide… I don’t know how it works but it dose work

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Well congratulations on making it!

[@judyvoss6299]

At 0:20 seconds - it is called the fly facing and then the fly shield.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@blanaroo]

Hi, great lessons! Can you make a tutorial video with a boho loose shirt for men, please?

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Thank you for the suggestion, I will consider it for a future video.

[@esmevancampen6102]

so good as always. do you have any tips for zippers with which fabric? i used nylon on a pair of shorts years ago and it split after three wears.. what do you think!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

That may be a matter of material quality rather than one of technique. I'm glad you got use out of this video.

[@movieeater123]

Yes please, a full video on raw edges and how to deal with them sans a surging machine

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Consider it on my to-do list :)

[@mariaelenarodriguezmoreno2415]

No tiene idea de cuanto he aprendido con sus conocimientos y lo mejor me ayudar a ganar dinero ya que trabajó en un taller de costura muchísimas gracias 😊

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Me alegra saber que mi video te fue de utilidad. Gracias por ver.

[@mounihoudja3622]

Merci pour le cours magistral. Vous parlez français ? vous dite souvent VOILÀ ❤🎉.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠🙏🏻

[@lupinotuumlunam]

Excellent tutorial. For zippers I have to trust the process and know it will come out alright. It always looks like a hot mess every step until near the end.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I feeling like trusting the process encapsulates sewing as a whole! It always seems so messy in the process :) Happy Sewing.

[@Eatprayanddie]

You have NO IDEA how desperate I am for a video on finishing raw edges (specifically without an overlocker/serger). Please make a video on how to finish raw edges!!!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Thanks for letting me know. I will add this video in my "to make" queue :) Thanks for watching. 🙏🏻

[@gioanylepe6206]

Hey man i was wondering if i should sew the zipper before or after joining the legs

[@CorneliusQuiring]

definitely do the zipper first.

[@Norberto600]

Do you have a video attaching the waist band on jeans.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Not yet.

[@ParkerFaith]

Additionally, Cornelius - how difficult it is, or rather what concerns would I encounter reversing a zipper (replacing with one that opens opposite) and is it mainly that I would require enough material in essence, the necessity of taking inches from the waist in order to utilize from that space to not have visual seam lines much like you don't yet only have thread lines on the material surface?? Please let me know if I can clarify any areas that I maybe didn't express well such is due to brain injury. Additionally I truly, deeply appreciated your post on the topic of your accident, as I suffered the same courtesy=(sarcasm) of a traumatic brain injury, and now endure as a hostage in my less functional physical self=(sarcasm) partial paraylsis and wear an Rgo brace from the Torso complete to the ends of my toe inserts into my flat wear shoes with accent crutches to ambulate, although the shoes are decent, these are not as pretty as pre-injury shoes...haha=more (sarcasm)

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. It's great to get to hear from the folks, like yourself, watching my videos. I appreciate your sarcasm. Humour is key, I think. As for reversing he zipper, I don't think it should require any extra, you're simply mirroring the pattern pieces. If you're looking to use new fabric to flip them, it's very little.

[@Becausing]

Installing zippers is truly one of my least favorite things to do when sewing- even less than feeding cord through a casing. That said, this is a great video and makes me want to enjoy it more for how much of an excercise in precision it is.

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Yeah, it took me quite a few attempts to learn how to master this technique! You've got this my friend. It's just a whole series of small steps.

[@muffemod]

Howdy partner! 🤠

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Top of the mornin' to ya :)

[@shonibee6066]

Can you please do a tutorial on how to do a suit jacket pattern 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Thank you for the suggestion, I will consider it for a future video. That could be a fun one!

[@shonibee6066]

@@CorneliusQuiring thank you ❤️

[@texaslifejulie8533]

? Is that a polyester zipper? Maybe it just appears that way on Cam, but I always use a metal zip for jeans 👖 🤔

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Yes, it is plastic. Metal zippers are nicer indeed!

[@sl1020]

Can I use the same method for a fake zipper

[@CorneliusQuiring]

It would be slightly different.

[@sayeedakubra8126]

Hey do u take online classes

[@CorneliusQuiring]

Not yet :)

[@anilsinghgehlot8086]

Mans nero pent ki kating samzaiye

[@LaneBeScrolling]

Dang, these skinny jeans just keep getting skinnier! 😋

[@CorneliusQuiring]

🤠

[@sellynda7149]

Pouvez-vous traduire en français, svp ?

[@CorneliusQuiring]

noté

[@cayleesmith71]

😢 it just looks so easy when u do it. 😅

[@CorneliusQuiring]

practise makes almost perfect :)

[@tomasgonzalez4819]

"I made it this far," say I, from down here in the comments. 😂

[@CorneliusQuiring]

tehehe :)

[@r-anthro]

I was with you til 6:48. If there needs to be an overlap of 0.25inches, then shouldn’t one side have that much more fabric when you cut it out so that you’re not pulling the pant leg over the zipper and creating a distortion? I’m following along with test fabric and it looks funky, or potentially funky. Help please!

[@CorneliusQuiring]

You can add an extra 0.25 in if you want yes.

[@luciocoriandolo4615]

Male or female buttoning depends on when the men wore the sword. The right-handers were the majority and to quickly pull out the sword carried on the left side with the right hand the right flap of the coat had to be under and the left one above

[@CorneliusQuiring]

I learned something new. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with myself and others in the comments here. 🙏🏻

[@luciocoriandolo4615]

@@CorneliusQuiring I’m glad if I could return something for the thousand things you taught me. Greetings and thanks from Italy.