Abaya Alterations Part 4 - How to Insert Zipper in Abaya

 Abaya/Modest Dress Alterations Guide

Part 4 - How to Insert Zipper in Abaya

We made it to Part 4 of Abaya/Modest Dress Alterations Series! Today I will show you How you can insert Zipper in Front Open Abaya. 

In this 6-posts series, the topics are:

1. Adjusting Abaya Length (shorten/lengthen)
2. Adjusting Abaya Fit (too tight/too loose)
3. Adjusting Sleeves Length and Fit
4. How to insert Zipper in Abaya
5. How to add Pockets in Abaya
6. How to Embellish Abaya or Modest Dress

Snap Buttons are useless at keeping the abaya closed. You keep fastening them and they keep coming off with every move you make. When I bought my first abaya with Zipper, I made sure I insert zipper in every Front Open Abaya I have.
Zipper Abayas are such life savers for nursing mums. Also they are much easy to be worn and carry. 

How to Insert Zipper In Abaya

Things You Will Need:

• Abaya that needs adjustment
• Abaya Zipper 1 meter long
• Matching Thread
• Measuring Tape
• Tailor's Chalk
• Scissors
• Straight Pins
• Seam Ripper
• Zipper Foot

(looking to buy any of above sewing tools in Jeddah? Click here to see the List)

• Sewing Machine (don't have a sewing machine yet? Here is where you can buy one in Jeddah)

How to Do It!

Shortening the Zipper

You will need Jacket/Abaya zipper 1 meter in length. It is basically a separating zipper like you have seen in jackets. The only difference is they are longer. I have seen 1 and half meters zippers in more pretty colors and design. If you can only find larger ones, here is how you can shorten them to your preference. You can use metal teeth zipper or plastic teeth one. I have only used Plastic Teeth ones and never had any problem. You can shorten them easily too. Watch the video below.

Marking for Zipper

Use a seam ripper to take out sewn snap buttons from your abaya.

If your abaya has extra fabric strip on left side, undo its stitching and take it out. You won't be needing it.

Lay down your abaya. Mark where you want the zipper to start near neckline. Mark on both left and right front sides.

Open up the zipper and separate the two tapes. 

Sewing Zipper in Abaya

Pin right side of zipper to right side of abaya on the wrong side.  (keep the abaya edge a bit away from zipper teeth). Pin the entire length. 

Fold the top of tape to inside.

Start sewing with zipper foot. Sew quarter inch away from edge, backstitching and sewing the entire length. Take out the pins just before coming near foot. Backstitch at end.

Keep both sides of abaya together. Following right side zipper, mark on left side of abaya where zip ends.

First pin top and bottom ends of left side of zip to left side of abaya only. Then adjust the remaining pins accordingly. Stretch or gather edge where needed. This is, so both sides of abaya hem fall on same level. Keep the zipper tab in middle somewhere.

Starting from bottom, sew the zipper just as you sew for right side. When you reach the zipper tab, turn the wheel of machine by hand so the needle goes down. Lift up the zipper foot, slide the tab behind, fidgeting if necessary but carefully. Put down the zipper foot and sew as you would normally.

Trim threads and press the stitching line.

Admire your Zipper Abaya.

With a little bit of sewing knowledge, you can see how easily you can Insert Zipper in Abaya. It surely makes Abaya Wearing much, much easier! What do you say?

Happy Sewing,

Rabeea 🧵✂👚

Next: Abaya Issues Part 5 - Adding Pockets