Many customers ring us querying what zips to use for different dressmaking projects and one of the most popular questions is regarding what is the best Zip to use for a Dress? There are two main zip types that we would usually suggest for customers to use if they are creating dresses and these are nylon dress zips or concealed zips. The most popular zip to use when making a dress or even for a skirt is our closed end nylon dress zips. These are available in sizes ranging from 4" up to 22" with the most common sizes for dresses being 12", 14" and 16". Made with lightweight teeth and material these zips will not affect the weight of your garment which is ideal if you are using light fabric for your dressmaking project. Here at Calico Laine we stock over 50 different colours in our dress zip range so there will always be something to suit your fabric. The teeth of the zip match the fabric on the sides of the zip and when inserted well into a garment it should blend in perfectly so that it cannot be seen. If you are looking for a statement zip in your dress however you can always choose a contrasting colour and sew this on the outside of the garment so that it will become a feature. For those of you who do not want your zip to show at all on your garment we would usually suggest to use our concealed zips. These are a popular choice for wedding dresses and more formal gowns as they create a high end professional look as they are not seen on the outside of the garment and allow you to create a smooth seam where the zip has been inserted. These zips are only available in 8", 9", 16" and 22" however these are the most popular sizes for skirts and dresses so it is not usually a problem that they are not available in a larger range. All of the zips available at Calico Laine meet and exceed British Standards for strength and durability giving you the peace of mind that they are high quality and will last well in your garment.