Hello from the U.K. I love all your videos! Thank you for sharing your expertise. I have a tip for you regarding side zips, from 40 years’ experience…. Start your zip about 1cm below the armhole. This allows you to turn those pesky ends under so it will lie flatter, it’s more comfortable and also makes room for a hook and eye fastening. Fastening the hook and eye before doing up the zip acts like a “helping hand”. It’s especially important when working on lightweight fabrics which have a tendency to flop around. Also, before sewing the seam closed at the bottom of the zip, it’s useful to fold the bottom couple of inches of zipper and fabric in half lengthwise and pin it. This allows no room for movement of the fabric which can sometimes cause unsightly puckering. I have done exactly what you did in this video many times when enlarging a too-small gown by adding a lace-up back (open or filled in with fabric) and it’s never failed. And, like you say… it’s actually easier than it looks at first glance.
Great approach to the problems, easy to listen and learn from. I appreciate the techniques and potential problems to look for, like stitching too close to the zipper. Thank you.
Sweet dress! The length is perfect for you. You are so easy to listen to and I appreciate your clear direction. I've learned so much from you. Thank you!
Gosh, you find the best things to fix up! And you do such fine alterations. I would never have thought to move the zipper to the side seam, but seeing it done makes perfect sense. The floaty fabric didn't look like it gave you any grief either. Thank you for teaching us your techniques.
It looks great! I'm wary of side zips as I caught my skin in one when I was a child. Ouch did that hurt and I still have the mark to prove it even about 60 yrs later.
what beautiful fabric and gorgeous colours!! It really suits you. I don't know how anyone would get into it with the zipper as it was. I would never have thought of moving it to the side seam but of course you are exactly right. This would make a gorgeous dress for attending a summer wedding.
What a fabulous dress, you are so clever and you must have some great thrift/charity stores in your area. The length is just perfect, and you look the bees knees. Hope you enjoyed the glass (or 2) of wine with you hubby. Many thanks for this video, really enjoyed it X x x
Catherine, you are truly a gifted sewing teacher. I love every one of your videos. I wish I could have the confidence to tackle a project the way you do, but I’m always so afraid of making a mistake that I spend most of my precious sewing time making sure that I’m doing things correctly! Sometimes I put your videos on while I’m sewing just to listen to your voice. It’s so calming and reassuring. Thank you for all you do ❤
I was amazed at how easy it appeared to insert an invisible zipper. Your videos are super easy to follow and understand! Love, love, love your channel!
What a great idea, move the zipper to the side. I have a couple of dresses with zippers on the back that I think I’ll move to the side. It looks better and it’s easier to do up.
Ah Catherine, you do such good work. Your dress is lovely, yo look like a Summer’s day. I can imagine you wearing that on a date, to a wedding, for a romantic walk. It is versatile just as it is.
I've been binge watching your videos. You just make things seem so simple! Like, why have I been so petrified of invisible zippers?! Oh, maybe because blog posts were unclear and previous videos I've seen never clearly showed the whole process (like don't freak out if the zipper looks twisted at the end.) THANK YOU! 🎉
The colour looks amazing on you. Love it. Also, thank you so much for all your videos, I’ve learned so much from you and gained so much confidence from watching what you do.
I have a sleeveless blouse in that exact fabric from Loft that’s maybe 12 yo… never wore it much but always loved the pattern. It’s in my donate bag but maybe I should dig it out and modify it. Love your vids. ❤
Well, who was the dork who thought, “Nah, no one will need to open a tight dress at the waist to get it on!” My guess that was a fail for the manufacturer and there were tons of them on clearance racks all over at one time. I struggle with invisible zips since I either do them too close to the teeth or too far away. The first one I did was a breeze, but it must have been beginners luck! I even bought an invisible zipper foot and that was even harder. This was very helpful!
Oh Catherine that is one lovely dress and the colour and style look great on you. I was fascinated to see how you were going to make that work and just picked up one tip after another. I'm going to look for a project like this to experiment with your methods on this one. A really good video and really clearly & helpfully presented. Thank you soooo much.
Very valuable info regarding sewing the zip beyond the seamline at the waist seam. I only wish I had known that a week ago while sewing a dress for my daughter. The bulk in that waistline area makes for a rough zip at that point, urrgh! Thank you for next time!
That turned out lovely. lol You make zippers look so easy. I've been a die hard I hate zippers for years to the point that I figured out how to change the pattern to button plackets. Not that I do as much sewing as I did but still I may have to give up the have lol
I bought a button up dress, and, as expected, it gaped at the buttons when I sat down. So I sewed down the button placket in the original seam line, and installed an invisible zipper in the side seam. I love the look of a shirtwaist dress, but not the way they bunch and gape when sitting!
Hello Catherine, thank you for all of your wonderful tutuorials :). I have a dress that I thrifted and I need help with an idea to refashion it. It has a v neck/cross v neck…not sure what you call it but it is too big and I would have to put a pin to keep it closed or take up the shoulders but I really prefer a more square or round neckline. Do you have a video on something like that? Sorry so long lol 😂. Thank you!
Thank you! I’ll be sewing a partly self-drafted dress where the zipper will need to go in *after* the waist and side seams are complete, and wasn’t sure if that would be possible. This answered my question!
I totally agree with you. Invisible zippers are easier to put in. You just have to watch a bunch of RU-vid videos on people putting in invisible zippers. And I already do your extra pointers when matching up waist bands.
I have to alter a dress I made for my daughter (without her around, now that was a big mistake) and I know the side zipper will need to be redone. With your help once again I feel ready to tackle the project. Thank you for all your videos. I haven’t been sewing “seriously” for very long but every time there is something to be learned in them. I hope you took a summer break - and what about that trip to Paris and Morocco, has it happened yet?
I thought it needed side zip right away too when you showed the short back zip and fitted waist. Love this dress! The soft sway design and color are dreamy! Enjoy
That was fun to watch . Because we sew (or at least I think) that we have to sew completely from scratch... I do thrift, Mostly fabric .. but with a dress not crazy expensive I would be fun to flip.. ( 10-20 $) thanks you
I generally avoid invisible zippers because the instructions that come with the zipper usually aren't very clear. Thank you so much for this video with such great instructions.
I don’t like invisible zippers. They’re not the easiest to sew in and they are hard to zip up. I also do not care for the trend for exposed zippers, I prefer a lap zipper. I wish you could still find the zippers with metal teeth as the coil zippers don’t seem to hold up as well.
