• Tutorial zipper ends •

Do you need ideas on how to finish the zipper tape you bought? Here are six ways to finish the ends of your zipper tape.

1. Use a metal endpiece. Fold your zipper tape under towards the coil to create a pointed end, then slide over the metal end and secure with a screw. There are also metal end pieces in the width of the zipper tape if that’s your preferred look.
2. Use fabric zipper tabs. Fold a piece of fabric over twice, slide on the end, and sew across. Ensure your zipper tape is cut to the correct length and your zipper pull is attached before sewing.
3. Fold the zipper tape in a straight corner to the end. Then, sew with a few stitches to secure. It is ideal when using zippers in a recessed zipper closure.
4. Use a strap end to finish the zipper tape. Use a rivet press with pressing plates to attach the strap end securely. It is even more beautiful when matching the zipper coil with the strap end.
5. Ending with an angled corner. Fold the zipper tape onto itself and sew from the top outwards to the side (a 45-degree angle). Open the zipper tape to reveal the angled corner.
6. Finish with your zipper tape in a point. Cut on either side of the coil, then cut away the coil. Burn off any loose threads and prevent fraying of the zipper tape. Fold each side towards the center to create a point. Sew across the triangle you created, and you’re done!

1 Metal zipper end

1. Use a metal endpiece to finish off any zipper tape.
2. Fold your zipper tape under the coil to create a pointed end. You can adjust the angle to your preference.
3. Then, slide over the metal end, ensuring the zipper tape reaches the end piece.
4. And finally, secure with a screw. You could add a dab of glue to secure the screw even more.

There are also metal end pieces in the width of the zipper tape if that’s your preferred look.

 

2 Fabric zipper tabs

1. Cut a piece of fabric the width of your zipper tape by 2” (5cm) long.
2. Fold the piece of fabric over along the short edge and iron flat. You could use a tailor’s clapper to get a nice crisp fold.
3. Open the piece up, and fold the short edges towards the middle fold you created. Iron again (with tailors clapper).
4. Fold the piece in half again, and your raw edges are hidden. You have created a zipper tab.
5. You can now slide the zipper tab over the edge of your zipper tape. Ensure you have the zipper tape cut to the right length for your project and the zipper pull is attached. You won’t be the first one to have a zipper that can’t be opened or closed 😉
6. Sew across the folded edge to attach the zipper tab and cut away any loose threads (or use the thread zapper).

 

3 Straight fold-over corner

There are two techniques to end zipper tape with a 90-degree angle. This is the easiest one, and we’ll show you the other technique soon.

1. Open up your zipper tape by 1” to 1.5”.
2. Then take one side and create a 90 degree angle by folding the zipper tape under itself.
3. Clip or pin the zipper tape to secure the corner temporarily. Then repeat for the other side. Make sure the top edges of the zipper tape are equal.
4. Sew the corners with a few stitches, ensuring the stitching falls into the seam allowance. This way, you’ll have a clean look.
5. If you find it too fiddly with a sewing machine, you could sew it by hand.
6. Cut any loose threads, and you’re done!

You can use this method for bags with a recessed zipper closure. For example a tote bag with zipper closure.

 

4 Strap end or tail clip

Use a strap end, a tail clip or webbing end, to finish any raw zipper ends.
Use a strap that ends at the width of your zipper tape and, if you like, the color of your zipper coil.

1. Slide the strap end over the end of the zipper tape and press it slightly to secure it temporarily.
2. Attach the pressing plates to your rivet press. Use the foam pieces to prevent scratches when continuing.
3. Put a piece of foam on your pressing plate, followed by your zipper with strap end. Then a piece of foam on top and finally the riser cap.
4. Press down with the rivet press handle to attach the strap end securely.
5. Remove from between the foam pieces, and you’re done!

For example, you can use this method for zippers with a visible ending in the Ally bag.

 

5 Angled fold-over corner

This is another variant of the fold-over ending, just like method 3.

1. To create this angled corner, you fold the zipper into itself, right sides together.
2. Then, you sew the zipper tape on one side from the top (fairly close to the coils) outwards
3. towards the side (at a 45-degree angle). Repeat for the other side.
4. Make sure you secure your thread by backstitching. After seeing, clip away any loose threads.
5. Now you can open up the zipper coil to reveal the angled corner. Done!

 

6 Pointed fold-over

With this method, you use the zipper tape itself to finish the end.

1. Start by cutting on either side of the zipper coil, about 3/4 inch. Then, cut away the coil.
2. Burn off any loose threads and simultaneously prevent fraying the zipper tape.
3. Fold one side of the zipper tape over the coil and the under at a 45-degree angle. Fold the other side over this piece and under at an angle. You’ve now created a triangle end.
4. Sew across this triangle to secure the zipper tape. Cut away your loose threads, and you’re done!