Easy Fly-Front Zipper
Our friend, and future Power Sewing blog contributor, Diane Egelston, recently wrote an article for Pattern Review called, Best Patterns of 2009, in which Diane refers to Sandra’s Easy Fly-Front Technique:
“If a pair of homemade slacks look homemade, it’s probably because of the way the zipper was inserted. Ignore the instructions that came with your pattern. Most are so complicated, you’ll give up and switch to a lapped zipper insertion.”
In her book Power Sewing Step-by-Step, Sandra gives detailed instructions for converting any zipper opening to a fly front. Watch the video, featured in Threads Magazine, in which she demonstrates the procedure. In preparation, ensure the that existing extension is 1-3/8 in. wide and 8 in. long. If converting, merely add the extension beyond the center-front cutting line.
Wow, how easy! I even learned a new way to help with regular zipper installation. I will be interfacing all zippers and getting them longer as I can have a perfect zipper until I get to the top….It never looks just right. Thank you so much for sharing this wonder way of doing a zipper. I can hardly wait to try it.
I love this video and can’t wait to use it to put in a fly front zipper.
Sandra makes doing a zipper a breeze i have been doing my zippers like this form the first time at age 18 when i saw her show on tv.and also if you ever want to put cuffs in a pair of dress pants she shows you how to do it in a flash. I wish her show was seen in oregon ..iam sorry to say its not ..but now i have this website and will enjoy her again…..
Fantastica su explicacion sobre la colocación de los cierres, con su ayuda no trendre mas complicaciones, antes odiaba colocar cierres, ahora estoy libre de problemas, gracias!!!!!
Thank you so much for this video! I have never managed to follow front fly instructions without a complete fight – your method makes life so much easier!
I love this video. I got the Power Sewing book, but still had some little problems. With the video I did my first really perfect front fly. Thank you!
Great to hear that the video helped you install a perfect front fly zipper! You should post an picture of it in our garment gallery to inspire our community with your accomplishment!
~Karla
Sandra’s Assistant
I Love Sandra’s site, and her assistant, Karla, is very helpful and and follows up in a timely manner. I was looking to see how a hidden or regular zipper is inserted in the back of a garment (dress, blouse). I primary use elastic waist bands. Any resources or suggestions?
Thank You, Andrea