Thread: Help with adding zipper to Bow Tuck--too bulky?

I'm trying to add a zipper to a bow tuck purse. I'm following the tutorial listed on this board. However, every time I try to sew the zipper flap onto the purse, the machine goes nuts and I get a birds nest on the bottom. I have tried 3 different machines and every one does the same darn thing. Is it just too bulky or do I need to do something to the machine? The frustrating thing is I added a zipper a month and didn't have this trouble! Any suggestions?

Is the purse advancing thru the machine? If not, I would try to lessen the pressure on the presser foot. Might be a screw, lever or button. If you are getting nests on the bottom, sounds like the needle is OK. Is this purse made using the same fabrics and interfacing as the one you did a month ago? If you changed something, home dec fabric rather than quilting cotton, etc. It might just be too thick.

Yes, the purse advances through okay,it's the same type of material. I'm giving all of the machines a break and will try them again tomorrow--hopefully one of them will decide to be more cooperative

I find that with bulky seams it helps to use a jeans needle. I usually switch to my featherweight when I have bulky seams to sew. Good luck

go to tutorials look for a tute named bow tucks with zipper. i use her method no problems

That's the tutorial I was following. I finally managed to get the zipper in this morning. I moved it down from the bulky edge a litte more and that seemed to do the trick. I posted a picture in Pictures if anyone is interested. Thanks for the help!