The zipper pull is the little metal tab on a zipper, but it's also a great place for personalization! Create one for yourself or make a set as a gift. Learn how to make a custom zipper pulls with this simple tutorial.
Cut and assemble the decorated fabric pieces.
We've provided a template for you to trace and cut out your fabric pieces. You'll want to do this with sharp scissors, but not so sharp that they will cut through the fabric. Once the pieces have been cut, assemble them by sewing them along the edges of each piece.
When you're finished sewing, attach your zipper pulls by sliding it through one of the holes in your fabric and lining up both sides of your pull with either side of your zipper. Then sew down onto both ends of each side of your materials so that they can't fall off over time or when being used (make sure it's secure!). Finally, add charms if you wish!
Sew the zipper and pull the charms together.
Now that you’ve cut your zipper pull charms and sewed the pieces together, it’s time to sew them into place on your bags.
Sew the two pieces of fabric together by stitching straight lines from one end of each piece to the other (don’t worry about trimming off excess thread). Sewing through all three layers at once will help reinforce your new zipper pulls so they don’t come apart later. It also makes them look like one piece instead of two pieces stitched together!
Then, reinforce each seam with a backstitch at both ends–that is, make stitches slightly longer than normal to bring your needle through both layers before pulling tight and tying off securely at either end. You don't want these little guys coming loose after you've finished working so hard!
Attach charms to zipper pulls.
If you have a sewing machine, you can attach the charms to your zipper pulls using the needle and thread. This is the most traditional method of attaching charms to zipper pulls. If you don't have a sewing machine, it's fine! You can also use an industrial glue gun (the kind used for gluing things onto surfaces) to attach your charms. The great thing about this method is that it will not fray or unravel as easily as sewing with thread would.
Make a set of personalized zipper pulls for yourself or as a gift for someone else!
Zipper pulls are one of my favorite types of accessories to make. They’re easy and fun to create, and they also make great gifts.
You can purchase zipper pulls at any craft or fabric store, but if you want something unique, making your own is the way to go! You get to choose whatever fabric you like, so it will perfectly match whatever bag it’s going on. Plus, if you have a pattern that you love or even just a color scheme in mind, making them yourself gives you the freedom to experiment with different designs until they’re exactly how you want them.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and inspired you to make your zipper pulls! This project is a great way to use scraps of fabric that might otherwise go unused. You can also use the same method to make zipper pulls in different shapes, sizes, or colors by substituting different fabrics. As always, feel free to share your creations with us!
