Amy Barickman

Few notions are as nifty as the zipper, a fashion accent that has gained major traction since its invention the late 1800s. Back then, this classic closure was better known as a slide fastener.

“Slide fasteners have done more than any other dress item to make clothes smart, easier to get into and out of, and easier to make,” wrote Mary Brooks Picken in her 1916 book Modern Dressmaking Made Easy. “Since slide fasteners have become the accepted fastener, they are used for every type of apparel – for formal and informal, for daytime, for business, and for sports.”

A 1937 package for a Talon slide fastener includes ideas for both decorative and functional uses for this fashion accent. Various patterns of the day are pictured from companies like Butterick, Simplicity, Vogue and McCall’s. Talon is credited as the first manufacturer of zippers and continues to produce them today. The actual term “zipper”, however, was coined by B.F. Goodrich in 1923, because he liked the “zipping” sound slide fasteners made. (Click on the image below to see it larger)

Some of our patterns at Indygo Junction highlight both vintage-inspired and fashion-forward uses of zippers. The Day To Night Dress showcases an exposed front zipper, inspired by a beautiful antique dress I found. Our Zipper Critters, a playful collection of plush creatures, feature zippers as sweet smiles. We even have patterns for flowers and jewelry made from zipper trim, a trend that’s popping up a lot in boutiques lately.

With so many applications in today’s fashion, zipper trims are available in a host of hues. Years ago, this wasn’t so. That vintage package I mentioned suggested dyeing white fasteners to a desired color. Back then, slide fasteners were used for a number of accessories and garments, from children’s rompers to ladies’ beach slacks to men’s overalls, all listed on the package. And judging by its prevalence today, the humble zipper still has a lot of “pull” in the fashion world.

Below is a video “look book” featuring some of Indygo Junction’s zipper patterns to give you more zipper inspiration:

Who taught you to sew?

Chances are, it was a parent or grandparent.  When I was a child, my mother and grandmother shared with me their love for handcrafting.  I enjoyed that special bonding time and learned many tricks and techniques that I use today.  Sharing the joy of creative crafting with your youngsters is a wonderful gift.

A few years ago, I happened upon the 1929 original volume of The Sew-It Book by Rachel Taft Dixon. This educational and engaging guide for children includes 17 different basic beginner projects for sewing and embroidery, such as a child’s apron, smock, sun bonnet, rag doll and Kimono-type jacket. It even includes directions to help kids design a pattern and create a dress for a favorite doll. Inspired by my own childhood experiences, I republished the book, preserving its vintage charm so children today can experience the same timeless instruction of yesteryear.

Included in the book’s projects are some fun samplers that are easy enough for kids, but good instruction for a budding sewing enthusiast! And I love this little rhyme from the book that could be used in a sampler design:

When I was young and in my Prime

You see how well I spent my Time.

And by my Sampler you may see

What care my Parents took of me.

Although kids have no problem finding entertainment in modern-day technology, I think the pride felt in stitching a first set of doll clothes will be remembered forever. If you like the whimsical vintage artwork from this book, check out my collection of sewing ephemera on The Vintage Workshop.

What was your first memory of learning to sew, and what did you create?