Our love affair with these decorative star zippers continues… We’re not sure if we love the zip star pull more or the star cut-outs on the tape! Inserting these decorative exposed zips has a different construction method to regular zips so we’ve hacked our original Clear Vinyl Zipper Pouch Tutorial and replaced the continuous zipper tape with these fabulously fancy exposed zips.
The clear window on this pouch makes it super useful for storing craft supplies, stationery, toiletries for the aeroplane. The kids will love being able to play “I-Spy” and it’s a brilliant way to show off your fave fabrics. We adore how the Llama Nirvana double border print worked out! Look at those cuties!
How To Sew A Clear Vinyl Zipper Pouch With An Exposed Zip
Gather your supplies as detailed on the original post here with the following amendment:
- Swap the continuous zip for a 10 inch/ 25 cm decorative star zipper
- Removable light tack tape such as Scotch Magic Invisible Tape
If you love the llama fabric we’ve used it’s from the Michael Miller Llama Nirvana collection you can find here
Follow Steps 1 – 4 from the original tutorial
Step 5 – Insert the exposed zip
a) Place the Lower Zip (B) Exterior & Interior pieces RST & sew with a 1/4″ seam
b) Understitch: open out the lower zip panel and make sure the seam allowance is pressed to the lining side. Sew the seam allowance to the lining side, sewing approx. 2mm from the seamline between the marks. This will ensure your lining is not vising and the panels “roll away” from the zip.
c) Check the zip works.
d) Open the panel out flat and position the zipper teeth so they are on the lining side of the seam, close to the seamline.
e) Tape the zip in place with the Scotch Magic Invisible Tape
f) Sew the zip in place with co-ordinating thread using your zipper foot
g) Remove the tape
h) Repeat Steps 5a – 5g for the Upper Zipper lining piece ensuring the upper & lower zip panels line up at the sides. Make sure you fold the lining of the first panel under it’s outer.
i) press up 1cm seam allowance on the lower Zipper Lining Piece (B)
j) With RST Sew the Lower Zipper Exterior Piece (B) to the Vinyl window (D) with a 1cm seam allowance. Use tissue paper if the vinyl is sticking as in the original tutorial. Finger press the seam line
k) Fold the Lower Zipper Exterior Piece (B) along the previously pressed line and tape in place. Stitch in place
You have now completed the front panel – well done!
You can continue to follow the original tutorial from Step 14
