Got all my supplies from Sailrite. As I mentioned they offer a how-to streaming video for $5. The secret is the basting tape as everything is laid out and stuck on before you even start sewing. It's almost like cheating it's so easy. However this first zipper took me about 3 hours from setup to completion.
I'll lay out a photo progression as I install the first zipper in the front eisinglass.
Here are the supplies, #10 coil zipper. Should have used a #5, would have been plenty heavy enough. Basting adhesive tape, it's sticky both sides with a peel off liner, 3/4" sunbrella edge binding tape, UV resistant poly thread to match, and the zipper pulls.
The old ties on the outside were right where I wanted to install the zipper, so I trimmed those off. Will sew them back on after the install.
Next mark the zipper location with a grease pencil. Yep, I eyeballed it.
Apply 1/4" basting tape, it's clear, to both sides of the edge binding tape. It has finished edges, it's folded under and pressed on both sides so it lays flat. The secret here is BIAS tape, it takes to a curve quite easily and goes on pretty smooth.
Apply the outside tape to the outside of the window, sticking the outside curve first, stretching it a bit, then the inside edge, tucking it in around the radius. Then sew both edges.
Stick on the inside tape and sew it on as well.
Our Bernina sews thru anything. We use a #18 needle for canvas and heavy fabric. Set the motor down real slow and it is easy to guide the material thru. Start and stop with a back-stitch to lock the stitches.
Next we apply the basting tape to both sides of the zipper. The zipper stays locked together. Another secret here is the COIL zipper, not a straight zipper, as it also takes to a curve pretty easily.
We sew the outside edge, then the inside edge.
Now we seperate the zipper teeth and feed on the slide.
Both ends of the zipper are locked by melting the teeth together with heat.
And sew down the ends of the zippers to the headstrip of the windshield. You can see my stitches are not exactly professional, but we're going thru about four thicknesses plus the glass, plus the rubber weather strip.
Unzip and cut between the outside edge-binding tapes.
And voila - I have a smiley window. The holding straps were too long now so installed a new snap and trimmed of the excess.
And success!
The finished smile zipper from the outside.
I'll post a pic up of the finished panel installed on the boat. It's going to be just soooo much more convenient to unzip the smiles instead of having to completely unsnap the entire windshield to roll either side up for vision and ventilation.
EDIT: By golly, this is post 750!
I'll lay out a photo progression as I install the first zipper in the front eisinglass.
Here are the supplies, #10 coil zipper. Should have used a #5, would have been plenty heavy enough. Basting adhesive tape, it's sticky both sides with a peel off liner, 3/4" sunbrella edge binding tape, UV resistant poly thread to match, and the zipper pulls.
The old ties on the outside were right where I wanted to install the zipper, so I trimmed those off. Will sew them back on after the install.
Next mark the zipper location with a grease pencil. Yep, I eyeballed it.
Apply 1/4" basting tape, it's clear, to both sides of the edge binding tape. It has finished edges, it's folded under and pressed on both sides so it lays flat. The secret here is BIAS tape, it takes to a curve quite easily and goes on pretty smooth.
Apply the outside tape to the outside of the window, sticking the outside curve first, stretching it a bit, then the inside edge, tucking it in around the radius. Then sew both edges.
Stick on the inside tape and sew it on as well.
Our Bernina sews thru anything. We use a #18 needle for canvas and heavy fabric. Set the motor down real slow and it is easy to guide the material thru. Start and stop with a back-stitch to lock the stitches.
Next we apply the basting tape to both sides of the zipper. The zipper stays locked together. Another secret here is the COIL zipper, not a straight zipper, as it also takes to a curve pretty easily.
We sew the outside edge, then the inside edge.
Now we seperate the zipper teeth and feed on the slide.
Both ends of the zipper are locked by melting the teeth together with heat.
And sew down the ends of the zippers to the headstrip of the windshield. You can see my stitches are not exactly professional, but we're going thru about four thicknesses plus the glass, plus the rubber weather strip.
Unzip and cut between the outside edge-binding tapes.
And voila - I have a smiley window. The holding straps were too long now so installed a new snap and trimmed of the excess.
And success!
The finished smile zipper from the outside.
I'll post a pic up of the finished panel installed on the boat. It's going to be just soooo much more convenient to unzip the smiles instead of having to completely unsnap the entire windshield to roll either side up for vision and ventilation.
EDIT: By golly, this is post 750!
