Easily overlooked, the zipper can be a crucially important part of a piece clothing. After all, when used correctly, a finely sewn zipper keeps clothing in place to create the silhouette that the designer had intended. But, not all zippers are created equal. There are different zippers for different jobs and below are the three zippers that all seamstresses and designers must know.
Invisible Zipper
Also called a concealed zipper, the invisible zipper is one that is not seen when it is closed. The way these zippers work their magic is by hiding the zipper’s teeth behind lengths of tape that run along side the zipper and above the teeth so that when fastened, the tape covers the zipper. Concealed zippers lack the robustness of many other types since they are made of lighter fabrics that are easier to hide than the thick fabric that is found on other, standard zippers. If you have a skirt, gown, or dress, odds are you have invisible zippers.
Coil Zipper
These days, the coil zipper is the most widely used zipper around the globe. This type of zipper gets its name from its two lines of teeth, which resemble stacks of coils. As a coil zipper’s pull or slider is pulled along the track, the coils are pulled together so that they form secure, interwoven rungs. Coil zippers are mostly made out of plastic or metal these days.
Open-Ended Zipper
An open-ended zipper does not completely close at either end. Unlike a standard zipper, an open-ended zipper does not have a stop at its bottom. A stop is what keeps the pull from sliding off the zipper when it gets to the end of the track which means that the pull of an open-ended zipper does come off the zipper when it reaches the end. However, it does not come completely off the entire zipper since it stays on its original track. Open-ended zippers are used on items that might need to be zipped open or closed from either end such as parkas, sports jackets, and sleeping bags.