sewingsuz

I am looking at a purse pattern and it calls for a 12" separating zipper. I have never seen one of these? I have a guess it may be so the purse opens up more. What do they look like and what do they do?

ManiacQuilter2

I have only seen jacket separating zippers before. Sorry.

lynnie

all jackets have a separating zipper otherwise you wouldn't get it on.
it would be a pain to rezip a separating zipper on a purse. do they show a picture of it?
Maybe just put a longer zipper in like some purses have.

Stitchnripper

Do they separating zipper because it is easier to install? Then sew over the separating end? I just watched a "Sewing With Nancy" episode where the guest showed using a separating zipper in a bag but then enclosed the end. You could even use a longer one and then cut the extra off during the process.

lynnie

except that a separating zipper costs more. If you have the extra to do it, go for it.
Or get a long regular one and cut off the end. make sure the tab is up top and closed first.

Jeanne S

Yes, you can buy a separating zipper just as you can a traditional clothing zipper. Go to your fabric store and browse through the zipper section and you will see them. You sew it in when it is closed, just like you sew in a regular non separating zipper. But with a separating zipper, there is a small metal gizmo that the bottom of the other side slides into and 'locks' into place to hold the ends together to zip up--exactly the same as you see on any jacket that has a full length zipper on it. As Lynnie said, they cost a little more, and most of the ones I have used have slightly larger metal teeth, not nylon teeth.

QuiltE

When I went to buy a regular zipper the other day, there were two different displays. However, I soon discovered that there was a huge display of the separating zippers, compared to so few of the type I wanted.

Many of the separating zippers were labelled as "costume zippers". Some were the larger metal teeth, and some large plastic, while some the smaller plastic and even smaller metal teeth. So many different colours and lengths.

Perhaps you will find the same thing when you go to your store to check them out.

Kris P

Separating zippers are great for adding to the top of a tote bag type bag. (with strips of fabric sewn to it, and along the inside of the tote sides.) the separating part allows you to open the tote fully instead of having it pinched at one end.

AZ Jane

Many stores sell them, ry a quick google search. Jo-Annes and Amazon for sure.

tessagin

I got a couple and turned an over sized sweatshirt into a jacket.