Zipper Replacement

[Trout Creek Canvas]

Having a terrible time replacing a smiley in an existing panel. I get 3/4 of the way thru, and it seems the panels are not lined up anymore. I thinking it's due to the feed dogs pushing the side I'm sewing, and I'm not able to keep the other side even. Maybe not though. I've thought about sewing a piece of binding every so often to keep the two pieces lined up, then cut out when I'm finished. Anyone know if that might work or any other tips?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Mike8560]

Souds lik e tour trouble first I'd make Alin
ent marks with the window laying flat  and soomething bs it there as you suggest
if I was to sew it I'd  www the outside radius of the curved zip first the tack it at the aliment mark to hold it then sew the whole length.   I can't remeber if I e er replaced a u ziiper and waxed the vinyl.  If course I'd only use a. #10 coil 

[Trout Creek Canvas]

Thanks for the suggestions.....after thinking about it more, I tried exactly what you suggested. Marked the glass about every 6 " and tacked just before and right after each curve. Very tight radius which made it extra hard for me. It actually turned out decent, very little pucker. I'll tuck that away, but I will Definitely charge more for that in the future! ;D

Thanks Mike!

[Mike8560]

Glad you got it worked out stitcher 43

[baileyuph]

Glad you got it worked out Stitcher 43.

I have limited experience with window zippers (antique cars, boats, and tents included). 

Mike, question about your technique:  Is it sew the zipper on one side first (outside radius) then set the other side to reference marks and sew it?  You don't separate the zipper and sew them in individually do you?

June gave a good explanation for this about a year ago, I am still searching for that post also.

Interesting stuff because my experience with rear window jeep windows verifies these things can be a challenge.

Thanks for posting Stitcher,

Doyle

[Mike8560]

No doyle I sew them on zippered  starting new I'd sew bolth side first the open the zip and cut the vinyl
then I would seperate the two and bi d the edges. Put it back together and trim and Finnish the shape of the whole window

[Mike8560]

I just did this today stitcher 43 a d thought of this thread took thenold zip off layed the window flat o the table and made reference mark then sewed the 10 coil on the outside edge streaching it around the curve then sewned the inside  gathering it a bit on the curves and mmade sure the marks lined up