Zippers are Easy!

04/25/2018 24076 5 0

Zippers are Easy!


At ByAnnie.com, the zipper is particularly dear to our hearts, since they’re used in nearly all of our bag patterns. In celebration of National Zipper Day, we’d love to share a bit of our knowledge and experience, so you’ll be just as excited about sewing with zippers as we are! Watch the video above or read more below as we answer our more frequently asked questions about zippers.

Why HandBag Zippers?

1. Wider zipper tape = This makes sewing zippers into place so much easier!
2. Nylon teeth instead of metal = This allows the zipper to easily flex and bend around curves, but most importantly, they’re very easy to sew through! You don’t have to worry about damaging your sewing machine or needles. You can also cut them simply with scissors or a rotary cutter.
3. Larger zipper pulls = This lets you get a firm and easy grip, which is handy when you’re opening up your bags frequently!
4. Bigger holes on zipper pulls = This makes it very easy to add an extra fabric pull to the end, which makes the zipper even easier to open!

Why choose zippers from ByAnnie?

We know you have a lot of different options out there to choose from. So we did our research to make sure we would give you the best value for your money! You can feel confident that our quality YKK zippers will hold up with repeated use over time. YKK puts their zippers through rigorous testing to ensure they’ll last, zip after zip!

Can I use ByAnnie zippers to replace a zipper/zipper pull on a garment or bag?

Yes and no. Zippers and pulls are only interchangeable with parts that are the exact same size. Our zippers are YKK #4.5 nylon-coil, so make sure your project uses that same size and type before attempting to replace or repair any parts.

Please note: Even though ByAnnie zippers are perfect for purses, bags, totes and organizers, remember to take into consideration the application of your zipper. We do not carry separating zippers (like the kind found on a jacket that can be easily pulled apart), and a handbag zipper may be too large for some garments.

For more information, check out this article on Choosing a Replacement Zipper Slider.

What lengths are available?

ByAnnie sells zippers in 24” single-slide , 30” double-slide, 40” double-slide and 144” (Zippers by the Yard), which come with 16 zipper pulls.

What colors are available?

There are 48 color choices for the 24” and 30” zippers, and 32 color choices for the 40” and 144” (Zippers by the Yard). Take a look at our Color Chart to see all our options!

What if I can’t tell which color to choose?

When viewing the color chart online, keep in mind that every computer screen is different, so colors on your screen may be slightly different than in reality. To avoid this, our best suggestion is to try finding ByAnnie zippers at your local quilt shop. If they don’t carry all the colors, we recommend purchasing a physical color chart to be delivered to your home.

If you’re still not sure, you’re more than welcome to send us a swatch of your fabric so we can help you find the best match!  If you send a swatch of fabric, please make sure to send a sample of the main, lining and contrasting fabric, so we get the best idea of what your project will look like.  Most important, is to make sure you send a large enough sample. For a more solid fabric, please send at least a 2 to 3 inch square. For fabrics with a pattern or multiple colors, please send a 3 to 4 inch square.

What am I supposed to do with left over zipper pieces?

Several of the ByAnnie patterns require you to cut down the zipper to a smaller size. Be sure to watch our helpful tutorial videos. In them, Annie teaches you how to work with leftover zipper tape and how to put on extra zipper pulls. Keep in mind, you can always use the leftover zippers for other fun ByAnnie projects. For example, if you had a 30” zipper, you could make a Catch All Caddy, and another smaller sized project, such as a Ditty Bag. Nothing goes to waste!

Can I mix and match zipper colors on a bag?

Absolutely! It’s easy to switch out zipper pulls on zippers, so mixing and matching colors can be a fun way to add some personality to your project! We also provide the option to select different colored zippers in our finishing kits, so let your imagination and creativity go wild!

Can I wash, iron or dry clean my zippers?

Because our Soft and Stable is machine washable, we wanted to make sure to provide zippers that can do the same. However, there are some recommendations provided by the manufacturer:

Ironing: When ironing, make sure to completely close the zipper and lay down the slider pull-tab in the regular position. Place a piece of fabric over the zipper while ironing. You never want to let the hot iron touch the teeth of the zipper directly, as it may begin to melt or misshape the coils.

Washing/Dry Cleaning: Make sure to completely close all the zippers when using the washing/drying machines. Zippers that aren’t closed may become tangled with other items, which could damage the zipper pull or the fabric on the other item’s.  Repeated dry cleaning or high-temperature drying without closing the zipper will cause it to bend.

We hope you love ByAnnie zippers as much as we do, and feel more comfortable sewing with them after watching our tutorial videos. Let us know how you use our zippers in your projects!

Tags: Information FAQ How To Info Tips and Tricks Tips & Tricks Spotlight

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