Zipper Pull/Tab: Every zipper slider has a pull attached that is meant to be held onto to move the slider up and down the zipper teeth. While "reversible sliders" may sound like it should be the same thing as "reverse sliders" - it's actually something completely different! For one, they are heavier than their plastic counterparts - keep this in mind when making lighter-weight garments or projects. For example, a metal zipper won't pair well a chiffon! Metal zippers are the most strong and durable option - they are made with metal teeth that are clamped onto the zipper tape. They are also a statement zipper! You can find beautiful zippers made with all types and colors of different metals.

Now that you know the anatomy of a zipper, let's take a look at the different zipper options available. There are 4 primary types of zippers, all of which can be found in both separating and non-separating varieties. Zipper Slider: The slider is placed on the zipper teeth and is moved up and down the teeth to open and close the teeth.If you need to find a replacement zipper for a garment or other item, you'll need to determine the size and type of the original zipper so you can find an appropriate replacement. This is useful for projects where water-resistance is needed, since the teeth being turned to the inside provides another layer of protection against water. It's also great if you just don't like seeing the zipper teeth from the outside! Reversible Zipper Sliders When you're scrolling through zipper options at your favorite online sewing supply retailer, you'll likely see numbers with a # symbol before them in the descriptions. This is the zipper size. Most zipper sliders work from the toothed side of the zipper. This means that the teeth will be facing towards the outside of your project, which is great for most applications. The teeth of coil zippers are made from thin pieces of plastic that have a coil-like appearance. These teeth are stitched to the zipper tape with thread.

The final type of zipper is invisible zippers, which are also known as concealed zippers. Invisible zippers are usually made with plastic coil teeth, but they have a few key differences from a standard coil zipper. As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of options when it comes to zippers these days. And that includes the sliders.

Dimensions & Specifications

Non-separating zippers don't come apart completely. Sometimes the bottom of the zipper doesn't come apart and sometimes both the top and bottom remain attached. Metal zippers are perfect for bags, pants, and outerwear that will receive a lot of wear and tear. However, there are a few negatives to using metal zippers.

Zipper Tape: The zipper tape is the fabric portion of a zipper that will sewn into your project. Each zipper has 2 pieces of zipper tape that the teeth are secured to. The downside to coil zippers is that the thin teeth can be prone to getting bent or damaged over time. Molded Plastic Zippers Because we craft every piece of jewelry by hand, all dimensions are approximate. Subtle variations are natural. Most sewing patterns don't recommend a zipper size, they just give you a length. So you'll have to choose the size yourself! Keep this in mind while selecting a zipper size: the larger the size, the wider and more conspicuous the teeth will be - and the heavier the zipper will be. Top Stop: The top zipper stop is a metal or plastic piece secured to each side of the zipper tape above the teeth. This prevents the zipper slider from coming off the top of the zipper. Some zippers have a top stop on each piece of zipper tape, while others have one top stop that goes across both sides of zipper tape.

These 2 types of zippers have slightly different parts because they function differently. The Parts of a Zipper Coil zippers are flexible and lightweight, making them perfect for sewing into curved seams. They are also resistant to pulling apart while closed. This is great when making bags or luggage that may get overstuffed and put pressure on the zipper.

In addition, the teeth of molded zippers have a tendency to pull apart and separate while closed if pressure is placed on the zipper. This makes them a bad choice for bags that may get overstuffed. Metal Zippers Retaining Box/Starter Box: Separating zippers don't have a bottom stop, instead they have a retaining box and insertion pin mechanism. The retaining box is the larger metal or plastic piece located on one side of the zipper tape below the teeth. The purpose of this box is to get the insertion pin in position, aligning the two sides of zipper teeth, and allowing the zipper to close. Double zipper sliders are somewhat similar to reversible sliders in that they work from both sides. However, instead of having a pull tab that moves from one side to the other, they have two tabs - one on each side.Zippers are sized by measuring the width of the teeth, while the zipper is closed, in millimeters. So, a #5 zipper has 5mm wide teeth. That seems easy enough, right? But why does this matter? Have you ever tried sewing with any of the fun zipper options we talked about today? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear about your zipper sewing adventures! A head-to-head zipper is a type of two-way zipper with sliders that are facing towards each other on the tape. To close a head-to-head zipper, the sliders must be pulled in towards each other, while to open the zipper they are pulled apart.