Need a source for colored zippers for pillows and cushions...

[Pegasus2007]

Hello everyone!

Here I am again with needs...

We find ourselves doing a lot of custom pillows and cushions and are tired of running to Wally World where it's hit or miss on what you'll find.

I am in Maine and want to know what you guys do.

We stock white and black but those don't always hide as well as we'd like.

Thanks, Russell.

[Qwerty27807]

These guys have a great selection:

http://zipperstop.com/

I use separating zippers (close the ends) only because the color selection is greater.  YMMV.

http://zipperstop.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=25&category_id=61&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=73

[Pegasus2007]

Thanks!  I'll give them a try!

[gene]

Hey folks,

I do A LOT!!! of self welt, knife edge, pillow covers. I only use black and white zippers. I sew the part that covers the zipper on the back about 3/8". I have never had a problem with the zipper being seen on my pillows. When the insert is inserted that pushes this flap that covers the zipper down even better, or farther.

I love to see someone turning my pillow cover around to find the zipper. That tells me I did it right.

I started learning by cutting the back pillow panel 1/2" longer than the front. I would then iron this 1/2" extra over to make the  part that covers the zipper. After awhile I found that I don't need to add this 1/2". Fabrics almost always stretch enough to make up for it. On rare occasion with an extremely stiff fabric I will still do this.

I only use white and black zippers on my boxed cushion covers. I just make sure the two fabric parts that cover the zipper are wide enough to cover the zipper. Sometimes I will iron and steam (test the fabric first) down the zipper panel to get the fabric to lay flatter. I sew the zipper with two equal parts of fabric covering it. I've seen folks who sew one long side and then butt the other side up against it. This looks OK from one side, but not so OK when the cushion is flipped upside down.

I do the same thing with boxed cushions when the zipper in the back will be seen.

The only complaints I have ever gotten were a few times someone would ask why I used white instead of black, or the other way around. I go over to my calendar and point out what phase the moon is in. This seems to answer their question and they always seem to remember an important appointment they need to get to: right away!

Happy sewing!

gene

[Pegasus2007]

Hey Gene,  Could you help me understand what you mean by "I sew the part that covers the zipper on the back about 3/8""?  I'm not sure I understand this and I am very interested in our zippers not showing on pillows.  Thank you very much!

[Joys Shop]

Someone needs to make a youtube video showing their technique   ;D

[Mike]

How's the new shop in ME. Are you getting any leads on canvas at all?

[Pegasus2007]

Hi Mike!

Maine is great!  The lakes in this area are beginning to give up and we're seeing a lot of open water around the edges.  Spring is right around the corner!  We are sooooooo glad we made the move.  When we were in Key Largo, between rent and gas traveling back and forth to work, we were spending $20,600.00 a year.  Now, we don't pay rent and don't we  don't go anywhere in the morning because we live where we work.  Wish we had figured this out sooner but everything happens when the timing is right I guess.  Business is great but we're not doing what we thought we'd be doing.  We assumed we'd be doing a lot of boat canvas and cushions like in Key Largo, but that hasn't been the case.  Instead, we have been doing a lot of slipcovers cushions and pillows.  I know we'll be doing more of the boat stuff as soon as everyone comes out of their caves but I'm not sure I miss it all that much!   

[gene]

Howdy,

Here are some pics that I hope will help with what I am saying. Two are the back of a boxed cushion. You can see how the two equal flaps hide the zipper.

The other pics are of the back of knife edge, self welt pillow covers. The 3/8" flap that I mentioned is the part between the zipper and the edge of the pillow. This cover the zipper when the zipper is closed.

I layed the pink pillow cover on the blue one to help show the blue one better. I hope this doesn't get things confusing.

gene

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[bobbin]

Beautiful work, Gene. 

I've been thinking about adding a grey and a beige to my zipper chain stock.  There have been several times when I've thought they'd have come in handy.  When I began working in alterations the thread racks were full of greys, blues, beiges because those colors will blend in with pretty much any color.