Lynne McCrossan: Making a dress is very difficult so you can just zip it

By Lynne McCrossan
Published on 13/08/2012 12:00

ZIPS are underrated little critters. It’s only when one splits that you realise they’re worth their weight in gold.

The dressmaking challenge has been all about fitting zips this week. From industrial to invisible, I had no idea they came in so many shapes, colours or sizes. And to top it all off they aren’t the cheapest of gadgets. Ranging from £3 to £7, a zip can be comparable to the cost of fabric. And at times, even more expensive.

The reason I’m talking in such technical terms is because when I set out on the dressmaking challenge of sewing my own clothes for the next six months I genuinely thought it would be miles cheaper than buying 
clobber. What I’m actually 
finding is my first thoughts are far from accurate.

Don’t get me wrong, the satisfaction of creating a garment from scratch that’s complimented when you are out and about is amazing. Plus knowing no-one else will turn up in the same outfit is even better.

But when you tally up material costs per metre, thread, patterns to cut the material around plus zips or poppers there’s not much change from £30. And that’s sourcing sale fabrics. Plus I haven’t even mentioned the time it takes once you finally sit in front of the machine. Couple that with how hard sewing a zip actually is I’m starting to wonder how on earth clothes can be so cheap in some high street chains.

FASHION INSIDER

Scots designer Louise Gray has revealed her latest collection for Topshop and it’s full of classic Gray colour and sparkle. Love this girl’s mission

to brighten up the world one

neon sequin at a time.