When working on any sewing project, it is not just the fabric that is important to the process - it is also the haberdashery items, of which there are hundreds to choose from. So many projects require a good fastening item from our various ranges to ensure a proper fit, and we stock a huge range of these both in-store and online. A lot of customers visit us hoping to Buy Zips for their various projects; zips can be used in numerous garments for so many different reasons, including both functional and decorative. With so many different types, lengths and colours, it can be somewhat daunting when it comes to choosing the right one for your project, but here at Calico Laine we are almost guaranteed to have the correct one for you. The history of the zip (or zipper for our overseas customers looking to buy haberdashery) dates all the way back to 1851 when a man named Elias Howe filed a patent for what he described as an "Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure". However, he did not try to market it properly and missed out on recognition that he might have otherwise received. Rather than a zip, the device that he had invented was closer to an elaborate drawstring than a slide fastener. It would be another sixty two years and several versions later before the modern zip that we know and use today was finally designed, and initially it was used for the fastening of rubber boots when the name "zipper" originated and stuck. After this it was used to keep tobacco pouches closed, and finally in 1925, the zip began to be used for clothing, starting with leather jackets produced by a company name Schott NYC. Today zips are found on numerous items such as luggage, shoes, clothing, cushions and so much more. If you are looking to Buy Zips, there are numerous different types of zips to choose from and here at Calico Laine we carry a fantastic range in our haberdashery section. Whether it is a standard dress zip, a concealed (or invisible) zip or an open end zip, we keep plenty in stock in a great choice of colours, lengths and types. It is important to choose the correct zip for your project as selecting the wrong one could have an impact on the fit of your garment - for example, choosing a metal zip for a lightweight fabric is a bad choice, as it will only weigh the fabric down and make it sit on the body incorrectly. If you are unsure of what zip to choose, feel free to give our friendly sales team a call on 0151 336 3939, or email us at sales@calicolaine.co.uk and we will do our best to help you. Do you have any tips for when it comes to sewing zips into garments? Leave a message on our Facebook page - we love to hear back from our customers and share methods!