Zipper Installation

Pre-shrink the zipper (treat it before sewing it in so that it shrinks and does not deform after washing the finished garment, and the fabric does not warp), since the zipper tape fabric, as well as the knitted fabric of the garment, especially when made of cotton or linen yarn, may be subject to shrinkage and become smaller. This is performed by either washing or steam-ironing the whole zipper together with the zipper tape to precondition it, as well as the knitted fabric of the garment.

Mark the following on the zipper – collar height and final length of the placket (where the zipper opening ends on the garment).

Baste or pin the garment plackets to the zipper, partially covering the teeth of the zipper.

Stitch both garment plackets from bottom to top, beginning at the bottom stop of the zipper chain. Double-check that the neckline levels on both halves match.

Sew on the bottom part of the facing over 3 cm [1.2 in].

Baste or pin the facing, closing the zipper pull. Stitch the edge of the placket that is closer to the zipper chain. Hand-sew the other edge to the sweater, using tiny stitches.

Bottom of zipper near the bottom stop: Likewise sew on the facing by hand, 0.5 cm [0.2 in] away from the bottom stop.