Use this clever zipper trick to open one when you have sewn your project up without remembering to open the zipper first – oops!
Have you ever sewn up a pouch or pencil case, then realised that you left the zipper closed and now you can’t turn it through?!
That’s what I did yesterday while making new pencil cases for my store.
But I discovered a little zipper trick.
I slipped a knitting needle into the little gap that I did have and caught the little hole in the zipper pull. Then I could push the zipper open – Yay!
Much quicker than having to unpick the seam and sew it up again.
Projects with Zippers to Sew:
Summary
Article Title
Handy Zipper Trick
Description
Use this clever zipper trick to open one when you have sewn your project up without remembering to open the zipper first - oops!
Author
Tonya Grant
Published on
TheCraftyMummy.com
Ahhhh, I’ll be remembering that trick. Constantly making that mistake, drives me batty! Your posts are awesome Tonya. No word of a lie, every 2nd or 3rd post seems to deal with whatever problem or query I am having at the time. Thanks for sharing :-). And your store is looking great!
Awww, thanks, Tanya. It’s nice to think that someone finds it useful.
If you ever want to send me a list of problems or queries, I’d be happy to see if I can write a post for you with some answers. I’m always on the lookout for post ideas!
Ha! I’ve done that before and have used my seam ripper to grab the hole in the zipper pull and pushed it back that way.
That would work great, too, Toqua. Especially for those who don’t have a knitting needle. Thanks!
I suppose you could also use a paintbrush handle, a chopstick, a skewer, or a pencil.
And now we know why there is an old saying: “Necessity is the mother of invention!” Well done you!
Certainly is, Lynne!
Thanks for the fantastic tip! Wish I had read this before I messed up on my first zipper pouch and had to open and resew : ( Will be remembering this for my future pouches though, have a great day!
That’s pretty clever! I’ve never bothered unpicking again, but wrestling with the tab through the fabric is pretty darn annoying…will HAVE to try this out when I mess up next! (Notice I said when, not IF, lol)
Thanks for the tip. This will come in handy. I am a new Facebook fan visiting from Someday Crafts. Vicky from Mess For Less
Thanks for dropping by, Vicky!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Recently washed a pair of very expensive pillow shams with delicate appliques. Turned the shams inside out &closed the zippers to protect the detailing during the wash cycle. Almost cried when I couldn’t unzip them once they dried. Your site is full of great tips! Thanks again!!
So pleased that I could help, Shalala! I can imagine your relief to get them open again – Phew!
Ah, thank goodness for your tip. I was feeling doomed 🙂 It was simple and fast to open with your tip.
It is 9pm and I’m attaching a backing with a zipper opening to a needlepoint pillow. Tried pliers and tugging, and googling brought me to your site and thank goodness! You are brilliant!
Yay! I’m so pleased it helped you!
Making a Christmas cushion, learning how to use my sewing machine and was devastated when I realized I’d sewn my zipper in without undoing it. After ruining my first attempt by sewing the two sides together I was ready to throw my machine away, vowing to just pay whenever I needed alterations… but then I found this post and voila, I have a somewhat finished off cushion! Thank you so much!!! You literally saved the day!!!
THANKS SO Much. Needed to wash a chair seat cover which the manufacturer had sewn the zip into inside out and tucked in. Grrr!
Fixed now, bless you and Google and a fondue fork as I don’t knit or crochet.