Every zipper comes with a specific length. Although zippers are often measured end to end, there are actually different ways of measuring different types of zippers.
Today, you learn more about the specific common methods used for identifying the correct zipper length. You can put these methods to use for you to know the right zipper measurement you need for your specific sewing project. Before you measure the zipper, make sure that you completely zip up the zipper first, no matter what the type of zipper you might be working on.
How to Measure an Open Ended Zipper’s Length
To measure the length of a standard open ended zipper, you should start from the zipper slider’s upper end to the bottom of the open part without including the forth head tape. Incorrectly including the forth head tape might make you end up with a zipper whose length might be somewhat shorter than what you like or need.
How to Measure a Close Ended Zipper’s Length
For standard close ended zippers, you should measure the length from the upper part of zipper slider to the end of the bottom stop with the back head tape and forth head tape not included. As stated earlier, the length of the zipper you will get might be shorter if you include the back head tape or forth head tape during the measurement.
How to Measure a Two Way Open Ended Zipper’s Length
Start from the upper part of the zipper slider down to the bottom part of the reinforce tape to the end of the open part without including the forth head tape to determine the length of standard two open ended zippers.
How to Measure a Two Way Close Ended Zipper’s Length
Two way close ended zippers come in two primary categories namely X shape and O shape. These two types both have double zipper sliders. The key difference they have is that O shape two way close ended zippers have to bottom stops where sliders are installed in a head to head way. On the other hand, X shape two way close ended zippers feature two top stops wherein the sliders can be found in a bottom to bottom relation.
In a standard O shape two way close ended zipper, the length can be measured from the end of one bottom stop to the end of the other. You shouldn’t include the back head tape and forth head tape.
As for a standard X shape two way close ended zipper, the length should be measured starting from the upper tip of one slider to the upper tip of the other. As always, the back and forth head tapes should be excluded.
Don’t Forget to Allot Allowable Tolerance
A zipper has a natural tolerance because of the different factors like the involved specific techniques used, the operation speed of the machine, and tensility of the zipper chain during the manufacturing process. In general, the tolerance is proportional to the length of the zipper.
For your specific length zipper needs, you can now buy zippers by the yard available online.
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