The best way to add a zip slider – easily.

Creating a “zipper” from a roll of continuous zip tape is an important skill for anyone who sews. When it comes to adding the slider – this can be a frustrating experience for some. I’ve created a very easy to follow step by step approach to effortlessly adding the slider. With a bit of practice, you’ll have this mastered in no time!

Step one

From your continuous roll, cut a piece to the required length, be sure to add 40 – 50 mm on each end. It’s always better to trim to your finished size once the zipper has been created, this prevents an unwanted “short” zip! Paskal manufacture a range of quality zip tape and sliders.

Step two

Pull one end of the zip tape apart, approximately 40mm. With the tip of your scissors, snip and remove one side of the teeth about 5 – 10 mm in length. The cut length is relative to the size of the slider used.

Step Three

Place the slider onto the non cut side. Be sure to have the slider up the right way. Engage the teeth of the cut side into the slider and push up. You should feel a “click” as the teeth engage. Hold both sides of the tape at the top and pull the slider down to completely engage the teeth on both sides of the tape.

Step Four

Done correctly the tape will be flat and the teeth evenly engaged with no bulges on either side.

Step Five

Here are two examples of unequal teeth engagement from step three, note the bulge. To rectify this, pull the zip apart at the top and the remove slider. Repeat step three until the teeth are evenly engaged. This is generally the step that requires the most practice.

Step Six

Done correctly, your zip tape and slider are now ready to be sewn into a product.

Finished Product

Here you can see a complete zip in Australian made bags, manufactured by Outware.

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