has anyone tried this? i picked up a cheap rain jacket that i'd like to try to put em in. i know 2 ladies who sew a good bit (got my double flannel bed quilt made by 1 of them MMMMM) and could do this if it's possible. has anyone tried sewing their own pit zips?

On the inside of the jacket, position your chosen zipper so the teeth are centered on the "stitches" of the underarm seam line. Use straight pins, placed about every inch, to hold it in place. Use a tight zigzag stitch across both ends, about 1/2 inch from the ends. Do not stitch across the teeth of the zipper, just the tape part. Turn the jacket to the outside. Using the narrow edge of the pressure foot as your guide, topstitch along both sides of the zipper. Now you can "snip" the stitches of the seam and unzip the zipper. This is assuming the jacket is made of fabric or fabric backed, not vinyl or plastic. Do not attempt to "stitch" plastic or vinyl. There are "glue's" made for that type material but I do not recommend using glue because the fabric of the zipper would not hold the glue under warm, damp (perspiration) conditions.

I hope this will at least give you an idea on how to go about it.

I might add that it is not important which side the zipper pull is on, inside or out. I prefer the inside because I have a fleece jacket with pit zips that unzip from the outside. I think it would be much easier to be able to slip my hand inside the jacket and unzip it from the inside instead of having to raise my arm and try to find the zipper on the outside. Something to think about. Good luck

is there anything in particular i need to know about the zipper itself? i have no idea where i'd pick up an 8" waterproof zipper :D

also, my jacket is seam taped. when i cut the seam on the inside am i just going to have to reseal everywhere i cut? will i compromise the integrity of the seam seal by putting this zipper in? (not that it matters a whole lot, it's on the underarm part and will be exposed to a minimum amount of water)

www.owfinc.com (http://www.owfinc.com) has good products to check out and people answering the phones that know what they are doing.

I would go though and try to heat seal the jacket after you cut it. It helps the ends from fraying any more.

The zipper does not have to be waterproof. Although I used a custom zipper with two zipper pulls, you can pick up a zipper from your local fabric store. The integrety of the seam will be related to how well you sew it. I just sewed through the seam tape. The cut you will make will look like this: >---<
OWF, quest outfitters, seatle fabrics, rockywoods outfitters will all sell the real zippers by the foot. A #3 is a good size. The waterproof zippers from OWF and Quest are #5, which seems like overkill to me.
Get a zipper foot if you do not already have one.
In all kind regards to Hammock engineer, the fabic is coated and seam taped, it won't be fraying. I would not heat seal the edges.
Scott

ok. i'll go ask this lady if she'll be able to do it! hey if it doesn't work out i can always test the warranty policy right? lol

ok. i'll go ask this lady if she'll be able to do it! hey if it doesn't work out i can always test the warranty policy right? lol

Did I tell you she's going to think you are a really odd one!! :D

--des

"why on earth would you want to sew zippers into the armpits?"

i can hear it now HEHEH

"why on earth would you want to sew zippers into the armpits?"

i can hear it now HEHEH

People sometimes have strange anatomies, and it is considered good manners not to mention the issue in public.;)