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8 Different Types of Zippers for Sewing
The use of zippers is ubiquitous, from skirts, pants, to bags, pillows, and almost anything else you can possibly think of. However, all the variations and options can be confusing when choosing a zip for those projects. This informative blog will go over all you need to know about the many sorts of zippers for sewing and the best zippers for each type.
Anatomy of a zipper and how to measure its size?
Eight components make up a zip: tape, top stop, top tape extension, tape width, teeth, bottom stop, bottom tape extension, and zipper pull. A zip must always be measured between its two stops in order to be accurately measured.
Types of zippers
Most zipper types fall into these two categories:
1. Based on the teeth material
- Metal Teeth Zippers
- Molded Plastic Zippers
- Coil Zippers
2. Based on zipper functions
- Separating zippers or open-ended zippers
- Closed zippers or closed-end zippers
- Invisible Zippers
- Pant Zippers
- Waterproof Zippers
The rest of the zipper types flooded in the market are just modified versions of these basic zipper types.
Our Top Picks For The Best Zippers For Sewing
Although there are an unimaginable number of zipper types available, we have included the most common types that can be applied to most of your sewing projects.
Metal Zippers: Shunli 29-inch Heavy-Duty Metal Zipper: Jump to review
Moulded Plastic Zippers: YaHoGa 80 cm Super Large Separating Giant Plastic Zipper: Jump to review
Coil Zippers: MiniRed 10-yards White Nylon Coil Zipper: Jump to review
Invisible Zippers: Willbond 200 Pieces Nylon Invisible Zipper: Jump to review
Separating Zippers: Dikaafu 26-inch Separating Jacket Zipper: Jump to review
Closed-end Zippers: Shunli Beige Nylon Coil Closed-End Zipper: Jump to review
Pant Zippers: YKK 7-inch Pant Zipper: Jump to review
Waterproof Zippers: MebuZip 27-inch Waterproof Zipper: Jump to review
Detailed Reviews Of The Best Zippers For Sewing
1. Metal Zippers
The first type of zipper made was a metal zipper, which is the most basic type. The components of a metal zipper become closely entangled as the slider goes up, keeping the zipper closed.
Depending on the materials used, metal zippers are divided into two groups:
- Teeth die-cast using zinc metal and applied directly on the tape.
- Metal wire-made teeth, either flat or contoured. These are created from white brass, aluminum, brass, or nickel.
Although metal zippers can be finished in a variety of ways, the most popular zipper finishes are brass, aluminum, black oxidized, and antique brass.
Material: Metal, Polyester.
Color: Black Nickel.
Length: The full length is 30-inch end to end and 29-inch from bottom to top.
Width: The overall width is 41.7 mm and the teeth width is 9 mm when zippered.
Application: Winter Coat, Down Coat, Jackets, Parka, Vest, Coveralls, Sleeping Bag, Boat, Canvas, Cover, Tent, etc.
This separating zipper's teeth are made of sturdy metal, guaranteeing a dependable product. This zip is strong and durable with a longer lifespan thanks to the metal pulls and thickened tape.
The teeth are composed of high-quality, burr-free black nickel metal. The zipper can be zippered very smoothly, making it ideal for any sewing project. Given that the zip pull is on the left, it is left-handed.
2. Moulded Plastic Zippers
The teeth on plastic zippers are individually injected and then bonded to the tape of the zipper. Zippers made of plastic are resilient, sturdy, and flexible. These zippers are perfect for heavy-duty clothing and outerwear.
There are 5 categories for plastic zippers: Woven-in coil, CFC, LFC, Plastic extruded zippers, and Plastic moulded zippers.
Material: Plastic.
Color: Black.
Length: The full length is 32-inch end to end and 31-inch from bottom to top.
Application: Tents, Coats, Overcoats, Down Jackets, Boat, Cover, Canvas, etc.
Quality plastic was used in the manufacture of this item to provide it more sturdiness and dependability. It features very big, sturdy teeth and it is a very massive zipper. Given that the zip pull is on the left, the zipper is left-handed.
3. Coil Zippers
Instead of having distinct teeth, coil zippers are fashioned from a continuous coil of monofilament. These zippers have an extruded nylon strip attached to the zipper tape as the teeth. These zippers come in a variety of sizes and are quite flexible. They can be used for a variety of things, including canvas products and stylish apparel.
Material for zipper tape: Premium Polyester.
Material for zipper teeth: Nylon.
Material for zipper pulls: Zinc Alloy.
Length: 10-yards.
Width for zipper tape: 1.02 inches.
Color: White.
Application: Dresses, skirts, bags, pouches, pillow cases, and other sewing crafts.
It is quite simple to cut this nylon coil zipper to any desired length. It comes in enough to last a very long time and satisfy all of your everyday demands for different types of craft stitching. They are quite robust and stable to use.
The zipper slides up and down quite easily thanks to the interior zipper sliders. The zip puller set needs to be installed by you, but it's a simple process.
4. Invisible Zippers
Due to their unique design and usage, CFC zippers fall under a special category known as invisible zippers. These zippers are constructed and stitched in such a way that the only apparent seam from the outside is a hairline one. Most dresses and skirts for women feature these zips. These zippers come in woven and knitted tape varieties.
Material: Nylon.
Sizes: 4 different sizes (6 inch, 8 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch).
Each Size: 50 pieces (a total of 200 pieces).
Color: 25 assorted colors.
Application: Casual pants, skirts, shirts, jacket pockets, bags, pouches, and other craft projects.
These invisible zippers are constructed with high-quality nylon, thicker fabric, and high-quality metal zipper heads. They are strong and reliable to utilize. Since it is an invisible zipper, these zippers are unique from other common zippers. You can't see the zipper's traces because it blends in with your clothing.
Even a novice may easily install and utilize these vibrant zippers. It only requires that you sew it on your clothing. These covert zippers are also very easy to open and close.
5. Separating Zippers
Open ended zippers is another name for these zippers. Both ends of this zipper are open and there is one auto-locking slider at the very end. They have a lock at the bottom where the zipper teeth can be fastened. The zipper's ability to separate makes it easier to sit or move around.
This style of zip can be used on items like sweatshirts, coats, vests, blouses, hoodies, and jackets that require the opening of both halves. Typically, they are very long.
Quantity: 2.
Teeth Material: Resin.
Teeth Size: #5.
Length: 26- inch teeth length and 27-inch full length.
Width: 5 mm.
Teeth Color: White.
Tape Color: White.
Application: Coats, coveralls, fleece jacket, leather jacket, bags, and most home sewing projects.
Resin is used to create these separating plastic zippers, giving them their durability. It is a robust product with a long shelf life. The product is left-handed because it pulls very easily from the left.
6. Closed-end Zippers
Regular zippers that do not detach at the bottom are known as closed-end zippers. At the bottom end, they contain a stopper that prevents the pull from separating further.
Material: Nylon, Polyester.
Color: Beige.
Quantity: 20 pieces.
Length: 16-inch teeth length and 17.6-inch overall length.
Width: 26 mm when zipped.
Application: DIY sewing crafts, boutique accessories, clothing, costume designing, skirts, dresses, bags, purses, pillow cases, etc.
These closed-end zippers are incredibly strong and long-lasting since they are constructed of premium nylon, reinforced zipper tape, and zinc pulls. It is simple to cut them to the desired length. These zippers' adaptable use can accommodate all of your stitching needs. They are perfect for both experienced sewers and novices.
7. Pant Zippers
These short nylon coil zippers—also called pant zippers since they are used on a pant fly—are mostly made of nylon. They can be used on blouse backs, skirts, pillows, and purses.
To keep them from separating, they typically feature a stopper at the bottom. These zippers are often constructed from extra-durable brass and can be used on both jeans and pants.
Material: Brass.
Quantity: 3.
Size: 7-inch.
Color: Black.
Application: Pants, Jeans.
Brass is used to make these high-quality zippers, adding to their strength and durability. They work well with pants, jeans, and women's low rise jeans. They come in 3 pieces and are 7 inches long.
8. Waterproof Zippers
These strong, weather-resistant zippers will hold up in any severe weather. For use on outdoor equipment like tents, these zippers work extremely well.
Quantity: 2.
Material: Nylon coil teeth and TPU waterproof tape.
Color: Black.
Length: 27-inch teeth length and 28-inch overall length.
Application: Clothes, Jackets, Raincoats, Ski Suit, Decorating, Down Coats, Bags, and other craft projects.
Nylon coils are used to make these zippers' teeth. These zippers have a special TPU waterproof tape coating applied to them to make them waterproof while keeping their effectiveness and durability. They are perfect for any product that has to be waterproofed.
Summary
In conclusion, zippers play a crucial role in our daily lives by acting as a fastener for a variety of goods, including clothing, dresses, bags, purses, and several other accessories. Zippers come in a variety of forms and designs that can meet a variety of demands and preferences while also providing efficiency, toughness, and longevity.
Making informed selections about the best zipper for our sewing projects can be aided by having a thorough understanding of the various types of zippers that are readily accessible. Each has special qualities meant for specific uses. We can make sure that our items have the optimum usefulness and longevity by selecting the ideal zipper for our purposes.
Our Top Picks For The Best Zippers For Sewing
Metal Zippers: Shunli 29-inch Heavy-Duty Metal Zipper: Jump to review
Moulded Plastic Zippers: YaHoGa 80 cm Super Large Separating Giant Plastic Zipper: Jump to review
Coil Zippers: MiniRed 10-yards White Nylon Coil Zipper: Jump to review
Invisible Zippers: Willbond 200 Pieces Nylon Invisible Zipper: Jump to review
Separating Zippers: Dikaafu 26-inch Separating Jacket Zipper: Jump to review
Closed-end Zippers: Shunli Beige Nylon Coil Closed-End Zipper: Jump to review
Pant Zippers: YKK 7-inch Pant Zipper: Jump to review
Water Repellent Zippers: MebuZip 27-inch Waterproof Zipper: Jump to review
Frequently Asked Questions
Metal zips, invisible zips, plastic-moulded zips, and nylon coil zips are the four most popular varieties.
Centered, fly front, invisible, and lapped are a few examples of frequent zipper application methods.
The most common zippers are made of nylon. They are adaptable and useful in many different situations. They frequently have matching tape and have a plastic-like appearance. The heads are typically small and the tape is densely braided. Nylon zippers are frequently referred to as plastic zippers.
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