I've been wanting to learn how to put in a zipper forever. I find the whole thing very intimidating. But, last weekend I was bound and determined to make it happen! I googled a million tutorials and finally found one that made sense to me.
It's from a woman named Debbie Shore:
Of course, being completely incapable of doing anything the easy way, I decided that instead of regular fabric, I was going to remove an old painting from its frame and use that as my fabric. Remember this painting:
I never liked it, so I figured pulling it off the frame might help. Of course, painted canvas is incredibly stiff, so that made some of the turning less fun and more difficult than it could have been, but here is my finished cosmetic bag with a zipper:
As you can see, I added some writing to the face — to create more visual texture. The back is pieced together from two pieces of canvas.
I lined the inside with a dark batik fabric:
I love that I was able to transform a painting I didn't like into something useable and I'm **thrilled** that I finally know how to put in a zipper!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Well you’ve got that one zipped up.
Well you’ve got that one zipped up.
Well you’ve got that one zipped up.
Well you’ve got that one zipped up.
Well you’ve got that one zipped up.
What an awesome way to reuse a painted canvas that you don’t want anymore. I love it! Congrats on learning to put a zipper in. I have yet to master that one!
What an awesome way to reuse a painted canvas that you don’t want anymore. I love it! Congrats on learning to put a zipper in. I have yet to master that one!
What an awesome way to reuse a painted canvas that you don’t want anymore. I love it! Congrats on learning to put a zipper in. I have yet to master that one!
What an awesome way to reuse a painted canvas that you don’t want anymore. I love it! Congrats on learning to put a zipper in. I have yet to master that one!
What an awesome way to reuse a painted canvas that you don’t want anymore. I love it! Congrats on learning to put a zipper in. I have yet to master that one!
you are just awesome! i love the idea to reuse work you don’t like that much into something fabulous like this. you are amazing! congratulation to mastering the zipper! very well done!
you are just awesome! i love the idea to reuse work you don’t like that much into something fabulous like this. you are amazing! congratulation to mastering the zipper! very well done!
you are just awesome! i love the idea to reuse work you don’t like that much into something fabulous like this. you are amazing! congratulation to mastering the zipper! very well done!
you are just awesome! i love the idea to reuse work you don’t like that much into something fabulous like this. you are amazing! congratulation to mastering the zipper! very well done!
you are just awesome! i love the idea to reuse work you don’t like that much into something fabulous like this. you are amazing! congratulation to mastering the zipper! very well done!
Your determination is admirable…but, it makes me feel so unaccomplished. I will try to turn that into inspiration!!
Congratulations on your mastery of the zipper.
Your determination is admirable…but, it makes me feel so unaccomplished. I will try to turn that into inspiration!!
Congratulations on your mastery of the zipper.
Your determination is admirable…but, it makes me feel so unaccomplished. I will try to turn that into inspiration!!
Congratulations on your mastery of the zipper.
Your determination is admirable…but, it makes me feel so unaccomplished. I will try to turn that into inspiration!!
Congratulations on your mastery of the zipper.
Your determination is admirable…but, it makes me feel so unaccomplished. I will try to turn that into inspiration!!
Congratulations on your mastery of the zipper.
Julie, that’s a fantastic job on the zipper! What a great creation!
Julie, that’s a fantastic job on the zipper! What a great creation!
Julie, that’s a fantastic job on the zipper! What a great creation!
Julie, that’s a fantastic job on the zipper! What a great creation!
Julie, that’s a fantastic job on the zipper! What a great creation!
Julie, love your new cosmetic bag. It is just beautiful! Thank you for that video! She explain the steps so well. I now want to make a bag, possibly a purse! Maybe I’m getting to ambitious and should make he cosmetic bag first. Lol. Have a great week.
Julie, love your new cosmetic bag. It is just beautiful! Thank you for that video! She explain the steps so well. I now want to make a bag, possibly a purse! Maybe I’m getting to ambitious and should make he cosmetic bag first. Lol. Have a great week.
Julie, love your new cosmetic bag. It is just beautiful! Thank you for that video! She explain the steps so well. I now want to make a bag, possibly a purse! Maybe I’m getting to ambitious and should make he cosmetic bag first. Lol. Have a great week.
Julie, love your new cosmetic bag. It is just beautiful! Thank you for that video! She explain the steps so well. I now want to make a bag, possibly a purse! Maybe I’m getting to ambitious and should make he cosmetic bag first. Lol. Have a great week.
Julie, love your new cosmetic bag. It is just beautiful! Thank you for that video! She explain the steps so well. I now want to make a bag, possibly a purse! Maybe I’m getting to ambitious and should make he cosmetic bag first. Lol. Have a great week.
that is gorgeous!! makes me want to get out my sewing machine
that is gorgeous!! makes me want to get out my sewing machine
that is gorgeous!! makes me want to get out my sewing machine
that is gorgeous!! makes me want to get out my sewing machine
that is gorgeous!! makes me want to get out my sewing machine
Great job. Well done. Thank you for sharing.
Great job. Well done. Thank you for sharing.
Great job. Well done. Thank you for sharing.
Great job. Well done. Thank you for sharing.
Great job. Well done. Thank you for sharing.
My mom was a zipper setter back in the day of the sweat shops in NYC. She was the master at that. Me not so much! YOU! did a fabulous job! Amazing you could sew through that heavy canvas!
My mom was a zipper setter back in the day of the sweat shops in NYC. She was the master at that. Me not so much! YOU! did a fabulous job! Amazing you could sew through that heavy canvas!
My mom was a zipper setter back in the day of the sweat shops in NYC. She was the master at that. Me not so much! YOU! did a fabulous job! Amazing you could sew through that heavy canvas!
My mom was a zipper setter back in the day of the sweat shops in NYC. She was the master at that. Me not so much! YOU! did a fabulous job! Amazing you could sew through that heavy canvas!
My mom was a zipper setter back in the day of the sweat shops in NYC. She was the master at that. Me not so much! YOU! did a fabulous job! Amazing you could sew through that heavy canvas!
love what you did with the canvas and kudos to you for attempting and learning yet another thing. You are one uh-mazing girl Julie!
love what you did with the canvas and kudos to you for attempting and learning yet another thing. You are one uh-mazing girl Julie!
love what you did with the canvas and kudos to you for attempting and learning yet another thing. You are one uh-mazing girl Julie!
love what you did with the canvas and kudos to you for attempting and learning yet another thing. You are one uh-mazing girl Julie!
love what you did with the canvas and kudos to you for attempting and learning yet another thing. You are one uh-mazing girl Julie!
Love how the bag turned out. You do inspire me with all your projects.
Jean in Santa Barbara
Love how the bag turned out. You do inspire me with all your projects.
Jean in Santa Barbara
Love how the bag turned out. You do inspire me with all your projects.
Jean in Santa Barbara
Love how the bag turned out. You do inspire me with all your projects.
Jean in Santa Barbara
Love how the bag turned out. You do inspire me with all your projects.
Jean in Santa Barbara
Love it! You are amazingly creative.
Love it! You are amazingly creative.
Love it! You are amazingly creative.
Love it! You are amazingly creative.
Love it! You are amazingly creative.
You have such a creative mind! Love the bag!
You have such a creative mind! Love the bag!
You have such a creative mind! Love the bag!
You have such a creative mind! Love the bag!
You have such a creative mind! Love the bag!
I just watched the video and it was awesome. Thanks for finding it and sharing it!
I just watched the video and it was awesome. Thanks for finding it and sharing it!
I just watched the video and it was awesome. Thanks for finding it and sharing it!
I just watched the video and it was awesome. Thanks for finding it and sharing it!
I just watched the video and it was awesome. Thanks for finding it and sharing it!
You took an uncooperative piece of “fabric” and made it into something you can now use with pride. Congrats on the zipper. I have put only one in and that was about 100 years ago! lol
I enjoy your enthusiasm when it comes to discovering new things and not giving up until you do it. I enjoy all you do and share with us everyday. It takes hard work to do what you do and still function with the everyday life stuff. It’s art that keeps us going and art comes in many many forms. Thanks again Julie for doing what you do.
Victoria BC Canada
You took an uncooperative piece of “fabric” and made it into something you can now use with pride. Congrats on the zipper. I have put only one in and that was about 100 years ago! lol
I enjoy your enthusiasm when it comes to discovering new things and not giving up until you do it. I enjoy all you do and share with us everyday. It takes hard work to do what you do and still function with the everyday life stuff. It’s art that keeps us going and art comes in many many forms. Thanks again Julie for doing what you do.
Victoria BC Canada
You took an uncooperative piece of “fabric” and made it into something you can now use with pride. Congrats on the zipper. I have put only one in and that was about 100 years ago! lol
I enjoy your enthusiasm when it comes to discovering new things and not giving up until you do it. I enjoy all you do and share with us everyday. It takes hard work to do what you do and still function with the everyday life stuff. It’s art that keeps us going and art comes in many many forms. Thanks again Julie for doing what you do.
Victoria BC Canada
You took an uncooperative piece of “fabric” and made it into something you can now use with pride. Congrats on the zipper. I have put only one in and that was about 100 years ago! lol
I enjoy your enthusiasm when it comes to discovering new things and not giving up until you do it. I enjoy all you do and share with us everyday. It takes hard work to do what you do and still function with the everyday life stuff. It’s art that keeps us going and art comes in many many forms. Thanks again Julie for doing what you do.
Victoria BC Canada
You took an uncooperative piece of “fabric” and made it into something you can now use with pride. Congrats on the zipper. I have put only one in and that was about 100 years ago! lol
I enjoy your enthusiasm when it comes to discovering new things and not giving up until you do it. I enjoy all you do and share with us everyday. It takes hard work to do what you do and still function with the everyday life stuff. It’s art that keeps us going and art comes in many many forms. Thanks again Julie for doing what you do.
Victoria BC Canada
What a transformation for that painting…and it all works! More importantly, you now have added a great skill to your arsenal and have a really cool cosmetic bag to show for it. Awesome work! Thanks for sharing it.
What a transformation for that painting…and it all works! More importantly, you now have added a great skill to your arsenal and have a really cool cosmetic bag to show for it. Awesome work! Thanks for sharing it.
What a transformation for that painting…and it all works! More importantly, you now have added a great skill to your arsenal and have a really cool cosmetic bag to show for it. Awesome work! Thanks for sharing it.
What a transformation for that painting…and it all works! More importantly, you now have added a great skill to your arsenal and have a really cool cosmetic bag to show for it. Awesome work! Thanks for sharing it.
What a transformation for that painting…and it all works! More importantly, you now have added a great skill to your arsenal and have a really cool cosmetic bag to show for it. Awesome work! Thanks for sharing it.
Zippers are a pain LOL. what a great idea to use a canvas. it looks beautiful!!
Zippers are a pain LOL. what a great idea to use a canvas. it looks beautiful!!
Zippers are a pain LOL. what a great idea to use a canvas. it looks beautiful!!
Zippers are a pain LOL. what a great idea to use a canvas. it looks beautiful!!
Zippers are a pain LOL. what a great idea to use a canvas. it looks beautiful!!
Thanks for finding that video of Debbie Shore, she is a lovely presenter from the UK on our craft shopping channel, Create & Craft. I love her voice and manner, it’s so clear but gentle. Glad you were able to find out how to put zips on, now there’ll be no stopping you!
Thanks for finding that video of Debbie Shore, she is a lovely presenter from the UK on our craft shopping channel, Create & Craft. I love her voice and manner, it’s so clear but gentle. Glad you were able to find out how to put zips on, now there’ll be no stopping you!
Thanks for finding that video of Debbie Shore, she is a lovely presenter from the UK on our craft shopping channel, Create & Craft. I love her voice and manner, it’s so clear but gentle. Glad you were able to find out how to put zips on, now there’ll be no stopping you!
Thanks for finding that video of Debbie Shore, she is a lovely presenter from the UK on our craft shopping channel, Create & Craft. I love her voice and manner, it’s so clear but gentle. Glad you were able to find out how to put zips on, now there’ll be no stopping you!
Thanks for finding that video of Debbie Shore, she is a lovely presenter from the UK on our craft shopping channel, Create & Craft. I love her voice and manner, it’s so clear but gentle. Glad you were able to find out how to put zips on, now there’ll be no stopping you!
Very impressive and industrious! Nice work=)
Very impressive and industrious! Nice work=)
Very impressive and industrious! Nice work=)
Very impressive and industrious! Nice work=)
Very impressive and industrious! Nice work=)
Well done! And a fantastic way of recycling pieces that didn’t work/you don’t like/you have too many of. As a professional dressmaker/costumer, I’ve put in MANY zippers, but I’m going to check out that tutorial anyway. Little bags are a great thing to have as sale pieces, but the way I currently put in zippers means handstitching in the lining. Not very efficient, so I’m keen to find a different way.
That canvas makes an awesome bag, too. I think the editing you did — which pieces you decided to use in the bag — worked really well.
Well done! And a fantastic way of recycling pieces that didn’t work/you don’t like/you have too many of. As a professional dressmaker/costumer, I’ve put in MANY zippers, but I’m going to check out that tutorial anyway. Little bags are a great thing to have as sale pieces, but the way I currently put in zippers means handstitching in the lining. Not very efficient, so I’m keen to find a different way.
That canvas makes an awesome bag, too. I think the editing you did — which pieces you decided to use in the bag — worked really well.
Well done! And a fantastic way of recycling pieces that didn’t work/you don’t like/you have too many of. As a professional dressmaker/costumer, I’ve put in MANY zippers, but I’m going to check out that tutorial anyway. Little bags are a great thing to have as sale pieces, but the way I currently put in zippers means handstitching in the lining. Not very efficient, so I’m keen to find a different way.
That canvas makes an awesome bag, too. I think the editing you did — which pieces you decided to use in the bag — worked really well.
Well done! And a fantastic way of recycling pieces that didn’t work/you don’t like/you have too many of. As a professional dressmaker/costumer, I’ve put in MANY zippers, but I’m going to check out that tutorial anyway. Little bags are a great thing to have as sale pieces, but the way I currently put in zippers means handstitching in the lining. Not very efficient, so I’m keen to find a different way.
That canvas makes an awesome bag, too. I think the editing you did — which pieces you decided to use in the bag — worked really well.
Well done! And a fantastic way of recycling pieces that didn’t work/you don’t like/you have too many of. As a professional dressmaker/costumer, I’ve put in MANY zippers, but I’m going to check out that tutorial anyway. Little bags are a great thing to have as sale pieces, but the way I currently put in zippers means handstitching in the lining. Not very efficient, so I’m keen to find a different way.
That canvas makes an awesome bag, too. I think the editing you did — which pieces you decided to use in the bag — worked really well.
great job! i’ve sewn forever but i can’t imagine sewing and putting a zipper in a painted canvas. this is just great and now a usuable item.
great job! i’ve sewn forever but i can’t imagine sewing and putting a zipper in a painted canvas. this is just great and now a usuable item.
great job! i’ve sewn forever but i can’t imagine sewing and putting a zipper in a painted canvas. this is just great and now a usuable item.
great job! i’ve sewn forever but i can’t imagine sewing and putting a zipper in a painted canvas. this is just great and now a usuable item.
great job! i’ve sewn forever but i can’t imagine sewing and putting a zipper in a painted canvas. this is just great and now a usuable item.
VERY cool
VERY cool
VERY cool
VERY cool
VERY cool
Love it!
Love it!
Love it!
Love it!
Love it!
You always bring us the best links!
You always bring us the best links!
You always bring us the best links!
You always bring us the best links!
You always bring us the best links!
Awesome! Definitely going to save this video for reference! Thanks, Julie.
Awesome! Definitely going to save this video for reference! Thanks, Julie.
Awesome! Definitely going to save this video for reference! Thanks, Julie.
Awesome! Definitely going to save this video for reference! Thanks, Julie.
Awesome! Definitely going to save this video for reference! Thanks, Julie.
Congratulations on the Zipper! Expect to be mastering one myself by the end of the month!
Congratulations on the Zipper! Expect to be mastering one myself by the end of the month!
Congratulations on the Zipper! Expect to be mastering one myself by the end of the month!
Congratulations on the Zipper! Expect to be mastering one myself by the end of the month!
Congratulations on the Zipper! Expect to be mastering one myself by the end of the month!
I’m zippered challenged and will watch the video. Hopefully, I can sew one too!
I’m zippered challenged and will watch the video. Hopefully, I can sew one too!
I’m zippered challenged and will watch the video. Hopefully, I can sew one too!
I’m zippered challenged and will watch the video. Hopefully, I can sew one too!
I’m zippered challenged and will watch the video. Hopefully, I can sew one too!
Looks fantastic; great idea!
Looks fantastic; great idea!
Looks fantastic; great idea!
Looks fantastic; great idea!
Looks fantastic; great idea!
Looks super. Love the big bag you did with the canvases, too. What a great way to use your art!
Looks super. Love the big bag you did with the canvases, too. What a great way to use your art!
Looks super. Love the big bag you did with the canvases, too. What a great way to use your art!
Looks super. Love the big bag you did with the canvases, too. What a great way to use your art!
Looks super. Love the big bag you did with the canvases, too. What a great way to use your art!