Zippers – Every Size, Style & Color for Sewing Projects | JOANN
Our metal separating zippers feature durable brass or nickel teeth that stand up to repeated use on jackets, hoodies, and outerwear. Each zipper includes a reversible slider that glides smoothly along the chain for easy opening and closing. Available in lengths from 7 inches to 36 inches, these heavy-duty zippers work beautifully on everything from denim vests to canvas tote bags.
We offer metal zippers in classic colors like black, white, navy, and antique brass to complement any fabric choice. The separating design makes installation straightforward even for beginners, while the corrosion-resistant finish ensures your finished garment or project looks professional for years to come.
Zipper specifications & what’s included
Choosing the Right Zipper Type for Your Project
Selecting the appropriate zipper depends on your fabric weight, project type, and desired finished appearance. Metal zippers work best for heavyweight fabrics like denim, canvas, and wool where durability matters most, while their substantial feel adds a decorative element to casual garments and bags. The rigid metal teeth require a heavier-duty sewing machine needle and presser foot but reward you with years of reliable use.
Coil zippers offer the most versatility across fabric weights because their flexible teeth adapt to both lightweight silks and medium-weight cottons without adding excessive bulk. When you need the zipper to disappear completely, invisible zippers create that high-end ready-to-wear finish on formal dresses and special occasion garments. For projects that live outdoors or endure heavy use, our molded plastic zippers resist weather and repeated stress better than any other closure type.
Zipper Length & Color Selection Guidelines
Our JOANN zippers range from 4-inch lengths perfect for coin purses and small pouches up to 72-inch lengths that span the full opening of oversized cushion covers and sleeping bags. When following a commercial pattern, the notions list specifies the exact zipper length required, but custom projects need measurement from the top stop position to the bottom stop or insertion point. Always purchase a zipper slightly longer than your measured opening since you can shorten from the top or bottom as needed.
For garments and visible applications, color matching your zipper to your fashion fabric creates the most professional appearance unless you want the zipper to serve as a contrasting design detail. Bring a fabric swatch to our store or order thread-matched samples online to ensure accurate coordination. Our expanded color selection includes 38 shades in invisible zippers and up to 24 colors in metal and coil styles, giving you options beyond basic black and white.
Installing Zippers: Presser Feet & Technique Tips
We recommend using a zipper foot attachment for all zipper installations because the narrow profile lets you stitch close to the teeth without interference from a standard presser foot. Our universal zipper feet fit most home sewing machines and feature an adjustable position that shifts to either side of the needle for precise topstitching on both sides of the closure. Position the zipper foot so the needle falls between the foot and the zipper teeth, typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the coil or metal chain.
For invisible zippers, you’ll need a specialized invisible zipper foot with grooves on the underside that hold the coil upright while you stitch directly against the teeth from the reverse side. This presser foot design allows the needle to catch the fabric and tape without hitting the coil itself, creating that signature hidden appearance. Install invisible zippers before sewing the seam below the zipper, working from the top of the opening downward on each side.
More Notions & Fasteners for Your Sewing Projects
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Common Questions About Choosing & Installing Zippers
Metal zippers feature individual brass or nickel teeth that interlock along a woven tape, providing maximum durability for heavyweight fabrics and outerwear. They create a more substantial feel and decorative appearance but require heavier needles to install. Coil zippers use a continuous nylon spiral that offers flexibility and works across a wider range of fabric weights from lightweight silks to medium-weight cottons. Coil zippers cost less and install more easily but may not withstand heavy stress as well as metal options.
For most garment sewing, coil zippers provide the versatility you need, while metal zippers excel on jeans, jackets, and bags where durability matters most.
Yes, you can shorten both separating and closed-bottom zippers, though the technique differs. For closed-bottom zippers, create a new top stop by stitching back and forth several times across the zipper teeth at your desired length, then trim the excess tape above your stitching. This works for invisible, coil, and metal zippers.
For separating zippers, never cut from the bottom since this removes the insertion pin mechanism. Instead, install the zipper with extra length extending past your garment opening at the top, then trim after completing the installation. You can also create a new bottom stop on non-separating zippers by stitching across the teeth at your desired endpoint and trimming below.
For bags and purses, we recommend either our continuous coil zipper by the yard or standard closed-bottom coil zippers in the length that matches your bag opening. The flexibility of coil construction curves easily around corners and bag gussets, while the smooth operation feels high-quality to users. Choose #3 weight coil for lightweight fabric bags and cosmetic pouches, or upgrade to sport weight or heavy-duty plastic zippers for canvas tote bags and structured purses.
Many bag makers prefer zipper by the yard because it includes multiple sliders and lets you cut custom lengths for various pocket and compartment sizes from a single purchase.
A standard zipper foot makes installation much easier and produces more professional results than using your regular presser foot. Our universal zipper feet attach to most home sewing machines and feature a narrow profile that lets you stitch close to zipper teeth without interference. The foot adjusts to either side of the needle so you can topstitch accurately on both sides of the closure.
Invisible zippers require a specialized invisible zipper foot with grooves on the underside that hold the coil upright during stitching. This presser foot design is essential for achieving that hidden appearance. Both foot types are inexpensive additions to your notions collection and work on all brands of zippers.
Bring a small fabric swatch to our store and compare it directly to our zipper color cards under natural lighting near windows or doors. We stock 38 colors in our invisible zipper line and up to 24 shades in metal and coil styles, giving you excellent matching options. For online orders, our product images show zippers next to color names, and you can order thread-matched samples if exact coordination matters.
When you can’t find a perfect match, choose a zipper one shade darker than your fabric rather than lighter, since darker colors recede visually and call less attention to the closure. Contrasting zippers work beautifully as design details on casual garments and bags where you want the hardware to stand out.
Yes, all our zippers withstand machine washing and tumble drying when you follow basic care guidelines. Always close zippers completely before washing to prevent the slider from traveling and teeth from snagging other laundry items. Turn garments inside out when possible to reduce abrasion on the zipper during the wash cycle.
Metal zippers may oxidize slightly over time with repeated washing, but this rarely affects function. Our sport weight and coil zippers feature moisture-resistant tape that dries quickly and won’t shrink. Avoid harsh bleach on colored zipper tape, and remove garments from the dryer promptly to prevent heat-related stress on the zipper mechanism.
Adult jacket and hoodie zippers typically range from 22 to 28 inches depending on the garment style and wearer’s size. Cropped jackets and bolero styles use 18 to 22-inch zippers, while full-length coats require 26 to 32-inch lengths. Children’s jacket zippers run shorter, usually 12 to 18 inches for toddlers and 18 to 22 inches for older kids.
Always check your pattern’s notions list for the recommended zipper length, since this measurement accounts for seam allowances and design ease. If you’re drafting your own pattern, measure from the neckline seam to the bottom hem and subtract 1 to 2 inches to determine the zipper length that will sit comfortably within the garment opening.