Help! Some advice needed.

[flying_fox]

I have just knitted a child's cardigan in a double knit cotton yarn, and I now need to sew in a zip. 

My question is, should I sew the zipper in by hand with cotton thread, or is it possible to do it on a sewing machine?  If I use the sewing machine should I place it on the machine with the knitted garment under the zipper, tacking the zipper to the knit first?  I am really worried about setting the tension correctly on the machine, but if I hand sew I know it won't be as neat.

Any advice anyone?

Comments

[valkyrie]

I always hand sew zippers to knitted garments. It may not be as neat on the backside, but it's neater on the front side, and it has more give with the knitted fabric than if you machine sew it. That, however, is only my opinion, ymmv, etc.

[flying_fox]

Thanks for the quick reply! My hand sewing is pretty good (the rest of it is hand sewn, after all!) so probably I will hand sew, then. I was worried about it ending up all pulled and tight looking if I used the machine.

I'll post a pic when it's done; it is so cute. (It's a parka by Debbie Bliss).

[iadorespike]

Hand sewing would be my choice as well. Good luck. :)

[flying_fox]

Thanks. That is the way I am going. I have another friend who suggested I add in plackets and I was given detailed instructions, so once I'm done I may add a post about it (if the finished product is neat enough!)