How to insert a zip

I used to think zips where a bit souffle - a thing to be dreaded and certain of disaster but so long as you tack neatly in place all will be well!

First pin your zip in place by lining up the pressed edges of your, for example, skirt so they meet down the centre of the zip. Then tack in a contrasting colour to hold the zip firmly in place. Take your time to get it perfectly lined up.

With the zip foot in your machine, lower the zip a few centimeters and start stitching, a little back and forth at the top to secure.

After a couple of centimeters, lower the needle to hold the fabric in place, lift the sewing machine foot and carefully pull the zip up to the top of the skirt under the zip foot.

Lower the foot again and continue to the bottom of the zip, quater turn at the bottom with needle down, foot up and go back and forth at the bottom of the zip a couple of times to reinforce it. Then needle down, foot up, quater turn and wizz up the other side. A few centimetres from the top, needle down, foot up and wriggle the zip down. Now lower the foot and stitch to the top of the skirt, go back and forth a little to finish!

Finally remove the tacking stitches with a seam ripper and give a little press with an iron. Voila a perfect zip!