“Zippit Ribbit” 14” x 11” x 4” Frog Zipper Case with Carry Strap Create this clever bag for someone special! For Shell Shelters & Zippit Ribbit Patterns

hanging strap

Installing The Zippers top view

zipper opening

Java House Quilts

designer Karen Brow-Meier www.javahousequilts.com Java House Quilts House Java

For both Java House Quilts Zippit Ribbit and Shell Shelters projects, we install the zipper into a flat unit and then trace and cut out the belly piece. This is a tutorial to enhance the pattern directions. (Though a little different from the Shell Shelters directions this method works well for both patterns.)

ATTACHING SIDE PIECES NOTE: The photos below do not depict interfacing fused to the back of the belly fabric (red floral print.) Fuse the interfacing before proceeding as directed below:

First attach thin strips of hem tape or fusible fabric tape to the outer edges of the zipper front. (You may need to trim to get fusible strips approx. 1/4” wide.) Peel away the paper on the right side, revealing the adhesive.

Lay this side of the zipper, adhesive side down on the edge of your first side piece as shown at right and fuse or adhere. (Zipper teeth should face away from the edge.)

Now, lay a lining piece face down along this edge as shown. (Pin if you like but keep pins out of the way of your stitching.) Using a zipper foot, stitch the seam, sewing approx. 1/4” in from the edge (you want to cover the adhesive.) Don’t worry about stitching super- close to the teeth as you normally would with clothing.

If your zipper is the exact length needed the pull can sometimes be in the way while sewing. To stop and move the pull keep your needle in the down position, raise the foot, reposition the pull, lower the foot and then finish the seam. After completing the seam, pull the lining and fabric pieces back over the zipper, iron flat and pin together.

Now remove the paper and fuse or adhere the other side of your zipper face down to the second side piece, with the teeth away from the edge as before. (see right) Now lay the second lining piece, face down along this edge, covering the zipper and stitch the seam as before.

Note: if your seam gets misaligned due to interference from the zipper pull, (this happened to me at left) simply move the pull as directed above and sew back over the seam to get a straight seam.

Pull fabric and lining back over the zipper, iron flat and carefully top stitch both sides close to your seams. (Again, always stop with the needle in the down position in order to move the pull out of the way when necessary.)

ATTACHING TOP AND BOTTOM PIECES: (Note: if you are making a Shell Shelters turtle, a bottom piece is optional.)

Working from the front, draw horizontal lines on your unit 1/4” above and below the zipper top and bottom edges. (Make sure your zipper will measure your needed length when marking these.) Trim your unit carefully along your lines.

Before continuing, move the pull to the center so it’s out of the way. (Do not leave it below the bottom seam if you’ll be trimming a longer zipper.) If you are lining the top and bottom pieces, lay these right side up underneath the unit, aligned with the top and bottom edges. (Lining is not shown in photo at right.) Layer top and bottom pieces face down on unit, aligning edges, and stitch the 1/4” seam.

NOTE: Depending on your zipper’s teeth, you may be able to sew directly over them. Please sew slowly! If your zipper is long and you’re afraid of damaging your machine, stop and backstitch before the teeth, skip over them, back stitch to secure on the other side and continue sewing.

Trim your seams and the zipper if necessary. (Be careful cutting- the first time I did this I actually cut away my bottom piece!) Pull back and iron top and bottom pieces and lining if included. (Lining not pictured and left.) Turn over and top-stitch close to seams as before.

You’re ready to trace and cut out your pattern’s belly piece from a beautifully sewn zipper unit!

I hope this helps as a supplement to pattern instructions. Zippers can be intimidating, but really are much less difficult than some of us remember!

As they have become more decorative, we don’t have to worry about stitching close to the teeth, and I actually prefer to see the colorful zipper tape in my finished projects --Karen