Saturday 26 January 2013

Scary zips!

Despite the snowy conditions here I managed to get across town to Stitchcraft Studio for a workshop yesterday.  For years I have avoided any project that required having a zip installed as I was put off zips by my domestic science teacher at school - she was of the dragon school (no offence to my friend Dilly!)  

The tutor was Hilary Taylor Kench and she was a charming and gentle teacher.  She demystified installing a zip completely and taught us various ways of inserting and dressing a zip.  Not only that but we came away with two completed and useful purses.


The pink purse is made from the first snow dyed fabric and the blue purse combines a panel from a thrift shop find and some more snow dye.  


The pink purse had the zip inserted without any fussing and the blue had the ends 'dressed'.  I'm sure many of you don't think twice about including a zip in your projects but I have been scared of them for years so I am really chuffed to have got this far.  I can see lots of zippy bags in my future and maybe even a cushion!


17 comments:

Clare Wassermann said...

You felt the fear and did it anyway. You could call it 'closure' hahaha! X

Jackie said...

Love your terminology!
'Zip' for 'zipper'.
Lovely!
I'm so proud of you!!

Maggi said...

Well done for conquering your fear of zips, you have done a good job there. DS t each era from the past have a lot to answer for.

Emma said...

Love your zips, all we need is to be shown! Your snow dyeing experiments/art cloths are fantastic, just my colors too. Now I just need some snow so I can join in the fun......!

Heather said...

That's such a useful skill to have and you've achieved a very neat finish to your lovely purses. I find it much easier to insert a zip as a garment is being made. Replacing a broken one in an existing garment is not one of my favourite tasks and I think I have just muddled my way through each time.

ju-north said...

Good work with those zips! A zipped up waistcoat for HI next? lol

Gina said...

I can put in zips but always avoid them if possible. Yours look very professional.

liniecat said...

lol I recognised your school teacher......ours at grammar school was a right stickler!
Broom up her jumper-ramrod backed,
she terrified me and put me off stitching for years.
She humiliated rather than encouraged ..me anyway!!
Spot on zips!! lol

Jill said...

Beautifully stitched, I know the theory, but invariable can't stitch straight! Such a useful skill.

Amanda said...

Well done you! They look fab!

sweetypie said...

aaagh, I should have come, am also scared of zips, well done you

Anonymous said...

Never done a zip or a button hole even though I have a machine that practically does it for you.....Good for you Julie, these came out great!!! I limit my stitching to playtime. xox

pam said...

Lovely bags and the zips look great - for some reason you only have to say the word zip and everyone goes into a panic - ask Barbara.

Angela said...

The bags look lovely I can't believe you've never done zips. You should have told us when you were here we could have shown you. Well done.

imac said...

So glad you can now do Zips, Ive a couple of pairs of trousers waiting for ------

Anonymous said...

I'm terrified of zips too, so am doubly impressed by your lovely purses. Online tutorials are good, but you can't beat a real life expert walking you through the whole process.

JP said...

I'm the same so well done to you!!!