Lapped zippers are probably the most popular and common out of all types of zipper applications used on garments today.
The possible reason for this because in lapped zippers, there is a false or small covering on top of the zipper, which means that there are no exposed or visible zipper teeth. The opening of the zipper is hidden really well from everything.
This is why lapped zippers are the best type of zipper application for many types of garments if you prefer that no opening is seen or visible. In effect, the lapped effect is made by a creative sewing method, which is called the lapped zipper sewing technique.
The lapped zipper application is the most preferred zipper attachment for the side seam openings as well as for the back of dress and skirt openings.
The good news is that it is very easy and simple to sew lapped zippers on the plain seam. The only materials you need here are the zipper itself and the two pieces of the fabric pattern.
- The first step to sew a lapped zipper is to sew the center seam. You need to sew baste stitching for the zipper opening’s length and continue to sew regularly for the remaining part of the seam.
- Proceed to press the seam open.
- Arrange then bring one of the central seam’s seam allowance on one side with the other side having the rest of the garment.
- Open the zipper. Keep the zipper on this central seam with the wrong side up. The zipper teeth should be directly aligned above the seam. Pin it in place. You can now baste stitch along with the pinned seam allowance.
- You should now flip the fabric for the zipper front to face you to one part of the cloth. This will create a fold close to the zipper teeth. You can now top stitch along this fold’s edge. There might be a need to use a zipper foot for sewing near the edge.
- You can now turn the entire garment right with the pieces of fabric to both sides of the zipper. Make sure that the zipper is closed. Sew about ¼ inch from the middle seam on the other part of the zipper that is not yet sewn while also catching the zipper seam. A horizontal stitch should be made at the bottom part.
You will have to stitch up to the placket’s side through the three thicknesses, which are the garment, the seam allowance, and the zipper allowance. This can be sewn from the front of the garment or the wrong side of the garment.
To complete the process, you have to take off the machine basting done on the zipper edge and the center seam hand basting stitches.
You see, sewing lapped zippers is not that complicated. If you are looking for zippers sold on a wholesale basis, there are now many suppliers where you can get the zippers you need for lapped applications.