Zipper is perhaps the most common and convenient fastener option. Even buttons, which were at the peak of popularity for many years, have recently been losing ground. Using a hidden zipper makes it possible to make the fastening of the thinnest dress invisible. There is only one problem - it is difficult to choose the appropriate length of the lock, since its size ranges do not differ in variety.
Required materials and tools
To shorten our lock, we You will need standard seamstress tools:
- clasp;
- chalk or disappearing pencil;
- scissors, knife;
- threads;
- pliers, thin nose pliers.
Advice! It is not difficult to cut the zipper, but the tailor's scissors may get damaged. It's better to use the ones you usually use to cut paper.
It is inserted into the part before the seam is sewn, that is, it already passes through the lock.
Reference! Concealed zip fastening. The spiral or teeth that make up the base of the lock are hidden behind the fabric, only the slider is visible. It's invisible in the seam.
Should I shorten the hidden zipper at the top or bottom?
As a rule, clasps are shortened at the top if they have a noticeable lower part, a decorative stop that... In the case of hidden structures, there is no fundamental difference. More often the length is reduced at the bottom, as this helps create an invisible seam, which is the main purpose of a hidden zipper.
Shortening the hidden zipper at the bottom
Advice! The lock braid easily unravels into separate threads; to prevent this from happening, lubricate the edges of the cut braid with superglue. At the same time, check on a piece of fabric so that it does not stain the material.
All types of similar fasteners shortened from below according to a similar pattern:
- We measure the required length.
- Let's make a mark.
- We also mark an additional allowance of about 1 cm.
- In the area of the mark, we securely fix the teeth of the fastener with several stitches. The strength of the lock in the future depends on how carefully and firmly you perform this operation. The fact is that it is possible to sew this section of the finished product by machine, but it is not advisable.
- We cut off the excess length of the fastener according to the allowance mark.
- If desired, we close the seam with a strip from the cut edge of the lock, sewing it perpendicular to the zipper, but you can skip this point.
- We use the resulting lock at our discretion.
Advice! If desired, the stopper can be easily removed from the zipper by prying it off with thin-nosed pliers or a thin screwdriver. Usually there are 2 teeth on one side and three on the other. It can then be installed onto your tag by pressing down with pliers.
How to shorten a zipper at the top?
In this case, we shorten the two sides of the lock at the top. We do this with the lock open:
- We measure the required length.
- We open the lock.
- On each side we mark the required level and plus 1 cm allowance.
- We rearrange the metal stoppers from the top of the lock, similar to the previous method, or make several strong stitches.
- Cut off the excess.
- If the lock has metal teeth, which is very strange for a hidden fastener, then remove them with pliers or needle-nose pliers.
Advice! If you need to remove only 1-2 cm, then it is enough to tuck the top part of the lock; there is no need to trim it.
If the zipper is plastic, you will have to cut off the stoppers.
Any seamstress should master techniques for shortening locks, as it can be difficult to find a model that matches the color and length.
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