My attempt at a convertible dress got stuck on the zipper for a whole weekend

I was trying to make a dress that could convert from a halter to a backless style with a single zipper track, inspired by a design I saw at a show in Portland. The issue was getting the slider to move smoothly between the two separate zipper tapes without jamming. I must have ripped out and re-sewn that section at least eight times before it finally worked. What's the best method you've found for setting a functional separating zipper in a tricky design like this?

4 comments

4 Comments

anna_ellis882mo ago

Honestly, the slider itself might be the problem. I had a similar project and the cheap metal ones always catch. Try switching to a plastic or nylon slider, even if you have to buy a whole new zipper just for that part. The teeth engage way smoother when the slider has a bit of give.

taylor.reese2mo agoTop Commenter

@anna_ellis88 reminds me of my old backpack zipper.

lily1672mo ago

Sounds like a lot of work for a zipper that might just break anyway.

the_iris2mo ago

Portland fashion shows are a special kind of torture, aren't they.