Zippers for Sewing – Fancy, Decorative & Bag Zippers

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Zippers for sewing bags, pouches, pillows and more: fancy and decorative zippers that are made to be seen, ByAnnie bag zippers in 24", 30" and 40" double-slide lengths, and zippers by the yard you can cut to any length. Making a bag? Pair your zipper with bag hardware and ByAnnie Soft and Stable. read more

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Zippers for Sewing – Fancy, Decorative & Bag Zippers

Maybe you’re looking up sewing zippers because you’re working on a special bag or you’ve never worked with zippers before, and you aren’t sure how or where to start? Project or no project, we can help you get started! Many novice quilters avoid anything that includes zippers because they seem intimidating, but the truth is once you learn how to work with them, you won’t be able to stop putting decorative zippers on everything! Here at Missouri Star, we carry some of the best zippers for sewing, ranging from standard nylon zippers to specialty and decorative zippers.


When learning about zippers, particularly decorative zippers for sewing, a good first question to ask is: how do you sew a zipper on a seam? This is the part that intimidates a lot of quilters, but it’s not nearly as complicated as you might think! But don’t just take our word for it, watch how Jenny and Misty make sewing with zippers perfectly un-scary in the video below!



The general process for sewing zippers can include not-so-general questions, such as, “What stitch do you use for zippers?” or “How do you finish the end of a zipper?” To answer that first one, there is no “right” stitch! There are a variety of stitches you can use for sewing zippers, all you have to do is choose the one you like best.


When it comes to finishing the end of a zipper, everyone has their favorite method, but one method involves taking a rectangular piece of fabric (about 4” long and ½” wider than your zipper), folding it in half, stitching both sides and turning it inside out to make a little pocket for the end of your zipper. If you’re more of a visual learner, you can watch Jenny use this method in the video below as she makes a cute zipper pouch!



Whether you’re simply curious or are considering trying it for yourself, you may be wondering if it’s possible to sew a zipper by hand. Anything is possible, but most folks find that sewing zippers with a sewing machine is ultimately faster and easier. So if you’re feeling more confident about working with zippers, come explore our selection today! You’ll find fabulous fancy zippers (Fancy Zips) and other specialty zippers here at Missouri Star.

Zippers by the Yard

If you sew a lot of bags, a roll of zipper tape saves money and time. Cut the length your pattern calls for, slide on a pull, and stitch a stop at each end. We carry ByAnnie Zippers by the Yard in 10 colors (4 yards of nylon coil and 16 pulls per roll) and Sallie Tomato #3 Nylon Zipper Tape & Pulls for smaller pouches and wallets.

Everything Else for Your Zipper Bag

Most zipper bags need a little body. ByAnnie Soft and Stable is a foam stabilizer that keeps bags standing and holding their shape, with no need for dense quilting. Finish with handles, rings and clasps from our bag and purse hardware, and find your next project in tote and purse patterns.

Zipper FAQs

What length zipper do I need for a pouch?+

Choose a zipper at least as long as the opening, or go longer and trim it down. Customers say our 14" Fancy Zips are just right for makeup bags and pencil pouches. ByAnnie’s 24" zipper covers most bag patterns, and the 30" and 40" double-slide zippers are made for larger bags that open all the way around.

Can I shorten a zipper?+

Yes. Nylon coil zippers can be cut to length: stitch back and forth across the teeth just past where you want the zipper to stop, then cut below your stitching. Reviewers who make ByAnnie bags cut the 24" zippers down to whatever their pattern calls for.

What are zippers by the yard?+

Zippers by the yard are a continuous roll of zipper tape with the pulls packed separately, so you cut exactly the length you need with less waste. A ByAnnie roll is 4 yards of nylon coil zipper with 16 extra-large pulls, and Sallie Tomato’s #3 roll is 3 yards with 9 metal pulls. First-timers worried about getting the pull on say it went on easily after watching a how-to video.

What’s the difference between #3 and #5 zippers?+

The number is the coil width in millimeters. Sallie Tomato recommends #5 zippers for handbags, totes and backpacks, and the lighter #3 for pouches, wallets and inside pockets. Decorative zipper pulls are sized to match, so check that the pull fits your zipper tape before you buy.

Will the lace edge on Fancy Zips show?+

Yes, they’re designed to be seen. Customers topstitch Fancy Zips on top of the fabric so the lacy edge shows. One reviewer who hid them inside a standard pouch seam found half of each cutout showing, so pick a pattern that puts the zipper on display.