Nicki LaFoille

Closures: Zippers, Button Holes, and Loops

with Nicki LaFoille

Closures are an undeniably important part of a garment and unavoidable if you plan on growing your garment sewing repertoire. Zippers and buttonholes don’t have to be something to be dreaded. They can be really fun and they can even be the focal point of a garment.

In this class Nicki LaFoille demonstrates how to insert zippers in several different ways: the lapped zipper, which is great in the side seam for a professional, the concealed zipper and the exposed zipper.

There are a lot of different ways to get the same kind of look for an exposed zipper, but used for different fabric and project scenarios. Nicki will demonstrate how to insert an exposed zipper in a seam and without a seam.

Nicki explains how to create a buttonhole by simply using a buttonhole foot and using the zigzag stitch on your machine. In-seam buttonholes are easy, understated and professional-looking. Nicki shows you how they’re created and what design styles they are suitable for.

Learn the steps to get professional looking bound buttonholes. This detail adds a vintage, couture look to garments, and they don’t have to only be used on wool jackets. Insert a bound buttonhole in a garment and it instantly adds a retro elegance that’s always in style. Nicki shows you two different bound buttonhole methods to choose from.

Lastly learn about loops as closures, either elastic cord or tubing, and how to alter a pattern from buttonholes to buttons and loops.

In addition you will get two printable PDF bonus materials that include step-by-step instruction.

  • 4 Sessions
  • 1h 58m
Nicki LaFoille

Nicki LaFoille

Nicki LaFoille is a mom of one human and two dogs, who travels with her small family around the country, finding creative inspiration for her sewing and writing. Her novel, Nautical Miles, is available in paperback and for the Kindle. Find out more about Nicki at meetthegofamily.blogspot.com

Bonus materials available after purchase

Class Resource: Zipper with Topstitching

Download this PDF for step-by-step instructions and photos to creating an exposed zipper with topstitching.

Class Resource: Bound Buttonhole

Download this PDF for step-by-step instructions for the bound buttonhole patch method.

Meet your Expert Video

Download this video to hear Nicki discuss how to work around stumbling blocks, a reminder that there are always multiple ways to do something.

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