Zipper Tutorials: Invisible Zipper

Tutorial for sewing a garment with Invisible Zipper
What I’m wearing:
Love Notions Harmony Blouse size M full bust (affiliate): www.lovenotion...
Lipstick:
Mary Kay Toffee Lipstick that’s no longer available
The dress is pattern M8176: M8176 | Misses' Dresses | McCall's Patterns (somethingdelightful.com)
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For reference: I am 5’2” and my measurements are as follows, upper bust 36”, full bust 40”, waist 33”, hip 40”
Description Updated 8/12/24

[@jessiedietrich42]

It’s the same good tutorial Whitney. I surely will refer back to it. Awesome job.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@melindabanning4497]

Yes! I am saving this video for future reference.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@leannsews]

This will be a great playlist to have to review before installing zippers . Thank you Whitney.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@martaaberg3330]

I was so excited to watch this, and then you got to the point where you switched to a regular zipper foot, and my jaw dropped and I thought, "Then why did I just buy a proper invisible zipper foot for my vintage Singer??????" But, having faith in the power of the Whitney, I kept watching, and was so happy when you switched to your invisible zipper foot! Excellent tutorial, and I was so happy to see the whole process including the lining. I love that dress on your daughter; just the right amount of sass to it for her age, and not so fancy that she'll have very few occasions to wear it. Perfect for any time she wants to up her game a little to a lot.

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I’m glad I held you on the edge of your seat!

[@diannasills217]

I’m glad you installed it this way. I always cut my zipper off at bottom but this is much better.. Very good instructional video. Your daughter is so cute doing her swirls. She is very pretty in the dress. I’m sure you are very proud that she will wear items you make for her. Not all young ones will wear something that is handmade. Until a few years ago I never fully realized the difference and I’m 68 and been sewing for 50 years. Take care Whitney.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@victoriahannah1633]

Thanks for the tutorial I can’t wait to try it. My husband always went on & on about Juki machines. No he is not a seamstress but he is a retired fabric worker from Norfolk Naval Shipyard. They sewed tents, tool bags, and glove bags to go around nuclear pipes on aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That’s so cool! They really are great machines!

[@jessiedietrich42]

This was a good tutorial to refer back to ! Good job !

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!!

[@teresastevens2084]

Just came back from vacation and catching up on your videos! This was a very well produced tutorial, Whitney! The foot is worth its weight in gold! Your daughter is growing up to be a beautiful young woman with such a fun spirit! The dress is gorgeous…what a gift you have given her! ❤️

[@TomKatStitchery]

Welcome back! She is very happy with her new dress. She needs an excuse to wear it now!

[@suek7086]

Thanks Whitney. I needed this one. In the past I have done about a zillion zippers, invisible were my favorites. However, since I have returned to sewing I have forgotten much of what I once knew. Therefore, instructions were not making any sense to me. I saved this so I can watch as I put in the next zipper.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@jeminiro]

Thank you very much for this tutorial! I have never done a better invisible zipper. It is completely invisible, wow!! This is now my favourite method!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@amierikke6225]

Very clear instructions! Your daughter is lovely in her dress, so pretty!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@evalucilledixon3879]

Whitney is so good to think all this through--installing a hidden zipper. HINT: Use the smallest crochet hook to remove basting stitches and also regular stitches as well. This works great for knit, finer fabrics, and etc. Thank you, Whitney. ~ L

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh my gosh! I had never heard to do this before! What a great tip! Thank you!

[@melodybillingsley9669]

Your sewing tutorials have helped me tremendously! This one was exactly what I needed. You are an exceptional sewing instructor!

[@TomKatStitchery]

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

[@vivmomsews4962]

Wowsers, what gorgeous fabric! I am an inveterate invisible zipper avoider. It’s ridiculous, really. So I watched this very closely and want to thank you for making it comprehensive and complete! Maybe one of these days I will get that invisible zipper foot out and cross some new ground. Ugh - stubborn old habits are hard to break!! Thanks Whitney!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad this was helpful! However, I am always so impressed how many times you can avoid a zipper! I love that about your sewing!

[@vivmomsews4962]

@@TomKatStitchery A seamstress as accomplished as you being impressed by me is quite the compliment!!!❤️

[@peggyriordan9857]

I love the Mimi G style of putting in invisible zippers!! After I saw her do that a long while ago, I haven't used any other method. It is so easy and zippers are no longer something I fear!! YAY! Thanks for showing this as I learned how to finish off the partial lining you had. Always something new to add to my skills. Thanks so much for that!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It was zipper insertion changing for me as well when I saw Mimi G do it this way. It’s the only method I use now!

[@sandimichaels2324]

Hi Whitney, Thank you so much for showing us the ins and outs of putting in an invisable zipper and handy tips. Love it. You make it look so easy.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@ivonemcpherson2592]

Great job Whitney, as always, fits her beautifully. Thanks.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@orcillalamprechtsews]

This is a great and simple way to put in an invisible zipper.. Thank you🧵

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@ZsoCreative1NJ]

Good morning! Thank you so much for this zipper series- this was my goal for next month to practice them more💜💜💜

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@sharonrimsza7960]

Well done! Thanks for this.

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@MassonLifestyle]

Oh yes..... I got myself an invisible zipper foot about a few months ago and lets just say that foot and I are having a moment! I love that thing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I felt the same way when I first discovered invisible zipper feet 😂.

[@SconesAndTea]

Thank you so much for this invisible zipper tutorial!! 🧵😀

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@lightowl4345]

Thank you! This is very helpful!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandywalker2048]

This is an excellent way to put in the zipper. I have put it in with the seam open, this is much easier. Thank you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@richardsimpson6773]

Such an informative and very thorough tutorial - thank you. So much appreciated.

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@chimorris4868]

Just tried it! It is so easy! I think I might finally start to make those zipper closed tops that I have been thinking about all summer.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! This makes me so happy!

[@juliepeacock1846]

Thankyou Whitney! This is so helpful, and will take away the anxiety of installing invisible zips. I’m getting one of those feet, it looks amazingly easy. Your daughter’s dress is gorgeous on her! You mentioned showing installation into a shirt with a waistband. That would be wonderful too 😁 Happy sewing 🌸

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this! I’ll be showing a skirt with a waistband this week!

[@juliepeacock1846]

@@TomKatStitchery yay 💫🌟 Looking forward to better zips in my skirts 🌟

[@dianemorrall2687]

I love watching you go through the process like this. I have used this technique from an earlier video of yours and it is my favourite method as well.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@lyndaroth4763]

I really appreciated this very thorough tutorial. I had gotten to the point where I hated invisible zippers because of the bubble at the bottom. this appears to be a much easier implementation.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It really eliminates the bubble at the end!

[@lindavictor8250]

Great technique...thank you!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@juleejames9977]

Thank you, Whitney for the tutorial. I have a bunch of weddings coming up that I'll be making dresses for myself. I'm going to get an invisible zipper foot and go for it!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@cathykieser53]

Oh my goodness, I really have never seen it done this way and I've been sewing way longer than you. I'm assuming Mimi g has also done a tutorial on it this way?? I have always enjoyed putting in a zip, never had an issue, but this is a great way when you have waist seams. Something else I learned, to cut the top off, not the bottom, how clever. Thanks so much for sharing this. I love watching these when I get up early and sewing away, you are right beside me, thanks again, and happy Sewing. Can't wait for the next zip tutorial 💪

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!

[@vintagegirl68]

You suggested your iron a while back, I bought one. It's hands down the best iron ever. Great Tutorial, no more bubbles at the end of zipper!

[@rosh6378]

What's the iron? What's the iron lol

[@vintagegirl68]

@@rosh6378 The one she is using. The brand I got was the consew. It's a gravity-fed iron.

[@rosh6378]

Thank you so much 💓

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m glad you’re enjoying your iron!

[@patricianewkirk2158]

Thanks for this video,always good to review basic skills.Looking forward to the next one.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@alexandrawellington8028]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial !!!! Such a beautiful dress 🧡🧡🧡

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@libbybennett3067]

Thanks Whitney this was an excellent tutorial on inserting an invisible zipper

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@dawncoe1293]

Great tutorial. I just tried Mimi g’s method too. My fave.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Isn’t it great?!

[@margaretgorski7947]

I love the zipper a week idea!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@soapLady52]

Thank you for this video! I will definitely rewatch this video when doing an invisible zipper!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@norakathleenbertoglio4414]

Yes to a zipper that ends at the waist and how to finish the waistband instead of taking the zipper through the waistband. I heard your interview on the Podcast! It was so good!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’ll do a skirt this week and do that type of waistband. It would be the same for a slot zipper as an invisible zipper!

[@margaretgorski7947]

Your daughter looks great in the dress. I think i will look for zippers on sale and do a bunch of practice pieces to get comfortable with invisible and perfect my other zip applications. Thanks!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That’s a great idea!

[@pollymaxwell5585]

Thank you so much for sharing, I have tried so many ways of putting in an invisible zip and struggle with everyone of them. I think this is going to work for me.😘

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@mariontilton8494]

Great method. Thank you. You're such an inspiration.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It’s my pleasure!

[@AnnabelleC0306]

This was great, thank you. Your machine runs so smoothly.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It does. I really love it!

[@lyndaroth4763]

@@TomKatStitchery What do you like the most about the Juki? I 3 Husqvarna machines and they are very easy to sew with and have a plethora of stitches but I'm not sure how durable they are. You have said a couple of times that you have another machine, what to you use each one for.

[@TomKatStitchery]

@@lyndaroth4763 I use my Juki for about 80% of my sewing. It only does a straight stitch, but it sews everything from leather to chiffon with ease. I can also raise and lower the presser foot with the foot pedal which makes it faster (the machine also sews a TON faster than a home machine). I have a Janome that I use for the occasional zig zag stitch and for buttonholes. I also set that one up for top stitching when I’m making jeans so I don’t have to keep changing the thread!

[@lyndaroth4763]

@@TomKatStitchery Thanks very much Whitney

[@miriamcihal8409]

Thanks so much. Really helped. Can’t wait to try these steps!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@suem6004]

Very nice tutorial. Thanks so much. I did not know you attached lining after the zipper.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@nettie6587]

Thank you. I won't be so intimidated with this form of zipper now :)

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@cecilehoare3053]

Awesome tutorial, would have been really helpful last week! lol I managed with my high school home ec lessons to get it in and looking good!

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I bet it looks amazing!

[@brendahunter7298]

Thank you

[@TomKatStitchery]

You are welcome!

[@lizhumble9953]

Can you maybe talk about how to pick the right zipper for your project? Or when you can change the type of zipper called for in a pattern? Also is there a time you would definitely use a metal zipper versus a plastic one ( other than jeans)? Also I love Sandra Bettzina, great technique!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I can definitely talk about all of that next week!

[@jonathanunger9]

Great tutorial and again somehow exactly the info I needed for several projects I'm about to start working on. Would love a tutorial on how to move a side zipper to the back (I hate side zippers, especially for skirts) :)

[@TomKatStitchery]

I can definitely go over that!

[@deidrabenson361]

Thanks sooo much for sharing!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@mid-centurymoderngirl8271]

Recently discovered your channel!! Love it! Thank you! What is your industrial machine? (i.e. make/model??).. Thank you!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Welcome to the channel! My machine is an industrial Juki DDL 9000b . It’s a fabulous machine!

[@Silver_Threads_Sewing]

Great tutorial. 💕

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@tombarrett3773]

I would like to change a side zipper to a back zipper so would appreciate that tutorial. Thanks. Canadian Sue

[@TomKatStitchery]

Sure!

[@brendahunter7298]

Yes show how to do the hook an eye tutorial

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ladylouise1969]

I have some zippers with rhinestones so I want to insert them as an exposed zipper-it's been a while since I have done that, so watching that would be of great benefit to me!! :+)

[@TomKatStitchery]

I will definitely do a couple of exposed zipper techniques for those pretty zippers!

[@ladylouise1969]

@@TomKatStitchery Many thanks-I see a pretty dress coming up for our granddaughter-and perhaps me as well!! :+)

[@marlajeanhuisman8354]

It's not quite clear how the upper back neck edge is pressed into a 90 degree corner. The edges look rounded. I couldn't see a close-up of it but would love to see how to make that upper back neck edge a sharper corner

[@TomKatStitchery]

Because the zipper goes into that corner, you're not going to be able to get it to 90* as the zipper coil has to curve into the seam.

[@carolowen2160]

Hi I’ve sewn my dress only got the back seam open can I put invisible zip in. I’m having trouble

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes, you can put your invisible zipper in if the back seam is the last seam. It would work the same, you just to work inside the dress.

[@carolowen2160]

Can I put an invisible zip in a dress that only has the back seam open

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes, you can. It works the same way!

[@anessaharris9947]

😃

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@carolowen2160]

Love the material what is it called

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! It is a Liberty print silk charmeuse from Minerva.

[@anitastephenson9954]

Can or should you add interfacing to lace?

[@TomKatStitchery]

If you are using lace, I would stabilize with silk organza. I will be transparent, but still give you the stabilization you need.

[@karensnybeck1580]

This is probably silly but,,, when you sewed the lining down,,,, one side was shorter than the other. Meaning seam allowance. Does this matter? I would love to know how to move from back to side in pants! I am really enjoying these shorts I made, but hate reaching around behind me! The shorts have nice pockets that I want to keep. McCall’s 6930 Thanks for all you do to help all of us! 👏🏻😎🤠🌵👍🏻👸👩🏼‍💻🦸🏻‍♀️

[@TomKatStitchery]

The lining gets eased in irregularly, frequently because it’s so much lighter than the zipper tape. Sometimes I get a bit extra on one side and I just tuck it in and continue 😉.

[@viktoriyapilipkova58]

Hi! A random question:) What kind of iron do you use? Thank you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I use an older model of this iron: www.wawak.com/Pressing-Spotting/Irons-Mini-Boilers/Mini-Boilers-Irons/hot-steam-gravity-fed-iron-sgb-900/?sku=IRN17 it’s great!

[@viktoriyapilipkova58]

@@TomKatStitchery thank you! I have been looking for a good iron. I think I will go with this one then.

[@thelittlebrownmouse6189]

Thanks for the tutorial. Is there a generic invisible zipper foot that would recommend? Not sure if I should just get a Singer invisible zipper foot as I have a Singer sewing machine or if one of the generic ones might be better

[@TomKatStitchery]

I, unfortunately, don’t have one I’d necessarily recommend. I bought mine on Wawak, but it’s for a high shank industrial machine so that’s probably not helpful. I would buy the Singer one if it’s a reasonable price!

[@thelittlebrownmouse6189]

@@TomKatStitchery Thank you

[@peggyblackburn9981]

Thank You

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!