Fabri-Tac Glue for Perfect Zipper Pockets!

Last year I was sent some glue from Beacon as a gift and I had no idea if I was ever going to use most of it! The super glue has been excellent for fixing random toys and lego guys but the hero in the gift basket has been Fabri-Tac! I have been using it way more than I ever expected I would!

It’s excellent for holding leather straps flat or gluing binding on instead of pinning but what I love it most for is ZIPPERS! The number one complaint I hear from people is that their zippers aren’t always straight when they add them to zipper pockets, especially when you use foam or leather-like fabrics! Today I am going to show you how this Fabri-Tace is going to help make those zippers perfect every. SINGLE. TIME!

What you will need

• your pocket opening sewn
• Fabri-Tac
• zipper
• the rest of your bag/clutch to complete

While most patterns have you complete the exterior of the bag first, we’re going to start with the lining pocket. We do this so it is dry and ready to sewn by the time the exterior is done! I’m creating a Classic Clutch so I will be showing you on my lining pocket!

Sew your pocket opening so that you are at the stage to add your zipper.

With your zipper right side up, place a thin line of Fabric-Tac along the long edges. Don’t do it too thick or it will bleed through. You want to be right against the edge. Don’t place any glue along the short ends because we want that left open for the zipper pull to move and adjust when sewing!

Flip your piece over so the back side is facing you (the pocket lining). With your zipper right side down, line up the end so it is centered.

Place the rest of the zipper down, centering as you go.

Now carefully flip over to the right side and line that up so it is centered. I like to have the zip end showing when I do zippers because it prevents you from ramming the zipper pull against your fabric when you open it!

Now let dry! This is why we start here! Though Fabri-Tac doesn’t take long to dry, you don’t want to hop right into sewing it down. Also, while it is permanent, you could leave it as is instead of stitching but for a place like a pocket, you want that reinforced with sewing!

So go ahead and complete your bag/clutch exterior.

Once your exterior is complete, you can topstitch around your pocket. You’ll notice everything will be sitting smooth in place and will look beautiful when stitched!

Now of course, you can go ahead and complete your entire bag/clutch!

This technique is amazing when you are working with thick foam or leather/cork/vinyl, materials that you can’t pin through! It ensures everything is centered and smooth! No more ripples from pinning those zips down!!

So my challenge to you is this: give this technique a try and let me know what you think! I want to see those perfect zippers popping up everywhere!

P.S. If you want to learn how I made my pretty little strap for my clutch, check out my tutorial “Creating a Double Sided Wrist Strap“ on Andrie Designs today!