Day: May 1, 2025

Working With Decorative Zipper

Posted by

1

Normally, when you apply a zipper, the zipper tape is hidden within the garment or bag or whatever. But lately I’ve been using a decorative zipper which has interesting tape I want to showcase. How do you apply a zipper in that situation?

Here’s my cork iPhone case which I finished a couple of days ago using the zipper tape as a focal detail:

iPhone Case using Cork and Decorative Zipper

Now, that I have finally figured out how to apply decorative zipper tape, I’m about to make another bag – I will take photos at each step so I can prepare instructions.

Step one – prepare all the elements:

Supplies for iPhone Case

What do I have?

I’ve cut a 6″ x 16″ wide strip from some denim cork fabric;
I cut 1 3/4″ and then 1 1/2″ pieces from one end;
I had a leftover 2″ x 6″ piece which I’ve folded in thirds for the tab (upper left with clips).

I had one 17″ length of zipper tape (the other half of the tape I had used on the completed bag above), I cut two more 7″ pieces of zipper tape (longer than the width of the bag so I have some wiggle room to add the slides); I have three slides.

I cut four pieces of lining fabric:
one piece of 6″ x 16″,
one piece – 8″ x 12 1/2″,
two pieces 6″ x 8 1/4″ (to accommodate the size of a credit card)

A piece of velcro
An interesting button
48″ of parachute cord

With everything prepared, I’m ready to sew.

I will start by constructing the tab – the cork strip is folded in thirds, I’ll use a decorative stitch to hold it together; next, I’ll add the “hooks” part of the velcro to one end; last, I’ll stitch the button to one end (as a decoration).

Step two – the body.
I’ll start by applying zipper tape between the small strips, then along one side….

Now – on to actually making the case. I hope to have the photos by later this afternoon. I’ll write instructions tomorrow and add them here when they’re done.

May 3 2025

I made the second bag two days ago, taking pictures as I worked, only to discover when I went to document the process that I’d created the pockets “top-down” (which works but is too difficult to describe and follow because you’ve got to keep your pocket linings out of the way as you work your way down!).

I should have worked from the “bottom-up” – adding zipper and pocket lining to the “bottom” pocket first, then the upper pocket second. So now I have to make another bag, take pictures as I work, so I can describe what I do.

I’ll get to that when I can. (Here’s where I’d put a “sad” emoji).

Here’s the finished bag:

You can’t tell how I constructed it once it’s done. However, it would have been much easier to describe the process had I installed the bottom pocket first.

Oh, well.

Take a deep breath…

Posted by

1

The Next Step

Bernie commented on my previous post – Collaboration, NOT Confrontation – with the link above. She had included this commentary by Marc Doll in her piece. Here’s what Marc Doll had to say –

If you voted Conservative and already hate Mark Carney.

Take a breath.

Ask yourself why?

How did it happen that you harbour such a strong emotion against someone who… up to this point has likely only done things you like.

He replaced Justin Trudeau.
He got rid of the Carbon tax.
He has promised middle class tax cuts…. etc.

From my perspective we have just elected a Centre-Right government led by a well-respected economist who may well be the most knowledgeable leader in the Western World, who was appointed not once but twice to be the top Banker of 2 separate nations by 2 very right wing governments, who was educated in two world renowned Universities, and who currently has no scandals to his name.

Ask yourself how you came to a head-space where you abhor someone who is by all measures a Progressive Conservative? Why do you have a high level of antipathy towards someone who you likely agree with in all but the colour of the flag he chose to fly? Ask yourself how much money had to be invested by political interests to get you to already feel such strong emotions against someone you would have supported strongly under a different colour banner?

I know why I am sceptical about the direction the Liberals are going to take our country as I’m one of the weird folks who still think the environment, some controversial social issues, respect for international borders, international law and a redistribution of power and money from the billionaire class back to the regular Canadians as top issues.

Carney has a far from stellar record on any of the issues I deem important but still I recognize he is the adult in the room and frankly the only leader who is equipped to deal with the Threat that we as a nation face.

If you are filled with anger. I can tell you it is an anger that someone spent a lot of money to make you feel.

It is time for Canada to come together as a Nation and your ‘purchased’ anger needs to be set aside at least until he has a record which you can actually point to as a reason to hate him.

In the meantime. Let’s get on to team Canada against our current enemy.

Let’s work to break down the economic trade barriers inside our own country.

Let’s give ourselves more than the US can take away.

Let’s continue to boycott everything from the nation that threatens our existence.

Let’s be leaders and build partnerships with the remaining stable and sane countries in the world.

Lets’s continue to plan our vacations in Canada and buy Canadian.

Let’s pull for our Country and stop letting the billionaire class divide us and create hate and antipathy so that they can enrich themselves and consolidate their power.

Marc Dole