Adding tabs to your zippers are a quick and easy way to add style to your zippered projects, as well as add stability to the zipper so that it doesn't bow and flip at the ends.
Cut your zipper to desired length. I like to cut off the pinked ends right on the outside of the stop.
Don't worry about cutting off the stop from the other end. Your tab will stop the zipper.
I use a rotary cutter and a straight edge to cut straight across the (nylon) zipper teeth.
To make your tabs you can use fabric matching the fabric of your project , as I did here, or contrasting fabric. Anything you choose!
Cut two (2) pieces of fabric 2" long x the width of your zipper. The zipper I used here is 1" wide so my two pieces of fabric are 2" x 1".
Fold the fabric in half length wise. Press. (You will do this for both pieces of fabric.)
Open the fabric. Fold the right side into the center. Press.
Fold the left side into the center. Press.
Now you have a 3-fold tab.
Sandwich the zipper end into the tab. Make sure the end of the zipper goes all the way to the center fold of the tab.
Sew the tab to the zipper, which is sandwiched in between the fold. Be sure to sew as close to the inside edge of the tab as you can, while making sure that you catch both sides of the tab in your seam.
Voilà!
When sewing the tab to the side of the zipper with the stop, be sure to draw the pull down a bit so that it doesn't interfere with your sewing foot. If you're a beginner it's probably a good idea to hand sew the teeth closed so it's easier to sew on the tab. When you're finished just clip and remove the thread you just hand sewed.
Attach your zipper with it's tabs to your project.
Congratulations on a beautifully finished zipper!
