Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Today we are going to show you how to sew in a "curved zipper" or what is also called a "smiley faced zipper" or "u shaped zipper." This technique (demonstrated at the 2025 MFA Conference by Keith Purves for Trivantage) is the easiest way to sew in a curved zipper that also includes a rain flap. Yes, it has a built-in rain flap that is simply added by using a strip of 1-1/4" bias binding. The built-in rain flap helps prevent water from leaking through the zipper. Because the clear vinyl is scored in advance of construction, instead of cut with scissors or a seam ripper after the completion, the cut in the clear vinyl can be placed deeper down near the outside edge of the outer binding (as you will see in the video) and not near the zipper's teeth. That helps to keep the clear vinyl's cut edge away from the zipper's slider, which in turn makes it much easier to pull the zipper's slider to open and close the window.
Intro - 0:00
Creating U Radius - 1:27
Scoring Clear Vinyl - 4:39
Preparing Bias Binding Strips - 6:22
Basting Binding on Outer Edge - 13:02
Sewing Zipper on Opposite Side 15:19
Sew Other Half of Zipper - 20:35
Sew Rain Flap Binding On - 24:13
Separate Clear Vinyl on Score 27:28
Sew Binding on Rain Flap Edge - 28:32
Install Sliders - 31:48
MATERIALS LIST:
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge Vinyl Window Material 54" x 110" Clear - SKU: 791123 sailrite.com/shop/window-material?facet_brand=Strataglass&facet_brand=Crystal+Clear&facet_brand=Regalite&facet_brand=OSea
Sailrite® Patterning Material 60" - SKU: 126150
Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) - SKU: 122065 sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-Upholstery-36-Yards?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sattler® or Sunbrella® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 3/4” - SKU: 125570-034 sailrite.com/search.php?query=Acrylic+Bias+Binding+Tape+3%2F4%E2%80%9D
Sattler® or Sunbrella® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 1 1/4” - SKU: 125570-114 sailrite.com/search.php?query=Acrylic+Bias+Binding+Tape+1+1%2F4%E2%80%9D&facet_width=1-1%2F4%22
Tex 90 (V-92) Toast UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. - SKU: 106389 sailrite.com/search.php?query=tex+90+polyester?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Lenzip® #10 Continuous Coil Zipper Chain - SKU: 124598 Black or SKU: 124599 White sailrite.com/search.php?query=Lenzip%C2%AE+%2310+Continuous+Coil+Zipper+Chain
Lenzip® #10 Double N/L Metal Zipper Pull (Coil Chain) - SKU: 125122 White or SKU: 125121 Black sailrite.com/search.php?query=Lenzip%C2%AE+%2310+Double+N%2FL+Metal+Zipper+Pull+Coil+Chain
TOOLS LIST:
Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl - SKU: 121977 sailrite.com/Scribe-All-Water-Soluble-Marking-Pencil-Black?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" - SKU: 102400 sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" - SKU: 101017 sailrite.com/Gingher-Scissors-Right-Hand-Lightweight?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set - SKU: 121669 sailrite.com/Marking-Chalk-Cartridge-for-Fabrics?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) - SKU: 311602 sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine-110V?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table - SKU: 120934 sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-Industrial-Sewing-Table?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Thread Clipper Kuroha - SKU: 121908 sailrite.com/Thread-Clipper-Kuroha?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040 sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Speed Reduction Upgrade With Manual Operation - SKU: 123372 sailrite.com/Speed-Reduction-Upgrade-with-Manual-Operation-for-Ultrafeed-LS-LSZ?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® 3/4" Swing-Away Binder - SKU: 100102 sailrite.com/Binder-3-4-Swing-Bracket?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Heat Gun, Razor Blade
Today we are going to show you how to sew in a "curved zipper" or what is also called a "smiley faced zipper" or "u shaped zipper." This technique (demonstrated at the 2025 MFA Conference by Keith Purves for Trivantage) is the easiest way to sew in a curved zipper that also includes a rain flap. Yes, it has a built-in rain flap that is simply added by using a strip of 1-1/4" bias binding. The built-in rain flap helps prevent water from leaking through the zipper. Because the clear vinyl is scored in advance of construction, instead of cut with scissors or a seam ripper after the completion, the cut in the clear vinyl can be placed deeper down near the outside edge of the outer binding (as you will see in the video) and not near the zipper's teeth. That helps to keep the clear vinyl's cut edge away from the zipper's slider, which in turn makes it much easier to pull the zipper's slider to open and close the window.
Intro - 0:00
Creating U Radius - 1:27
Scoring Clear Vinyl - 4:39
Preparing Bias Binding Strips - 6:22
Basting Binding on Outer Edge - 13:02
Sewing Zipper on Opposite Side 15:19
Sew Other Half of Zipper - 20:35
Sew Rain Flap Binding On - 24:13
Separate Clear Vinyl on Score 27:28
Sew Binding on Rain Flap Edge - 28:32
Install Sliders - 31:48
MATERIALS LIST:
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge Vinyl Window Material 54" x 110" Clear - SKU: 791123 sailrite.com/shop/window-material?facet_brand=Strataglass&facet_brand=Crystal+Clear&facet_brand=Regalite&facet_brand=OSea
Sailrite® Patterning Material 60" - SKU: 126150
Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) - SKU: 122065 sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-Upholstery-36-Yards?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sattler® or Sunbrella® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 3/4” - SKU: 125570-034 sailrite.com/search.php?query=Acrylic+Bias+Binding+Tape+3%2F4%E2%80%9D
Sattler® or Sunbrella® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 1 1/4” - SKU: 125570-114 sailrite.com/search.php?query=Acrylic+Bias+Binding+Tape+1+1%2F4%E2%80%9D&facet_width=1-1%2F4%22
Tex 90 (V-92) Toast UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. - SKU: 106389 sailrite.com/search.php?query=tex+90+polyester?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Lenzip® #10 Continuous Coil Zipper Chain - SKU: 124598 Black or SKU: 124599 White sailrite.com/search.php?query=Lenzip%C2%AE+%2310+Continuous+Coil+Zipper+Chain
Lenzip® #10 Double N/L Metal Zipper Pull (Coil Chain) - SKU: 125122 White or SKU: 125121 Black sailrite.com/search.php?query=Lenzip%C2%AE+%2310+Double+N%2FL+Metal+Zipper+Pull+Coil+Chain
TOOLS LIST:
Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl - SKU: 121977 sailrite.com/Scribe-All-Water-Soluble-Marking-Pencil-Black?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" - SKU: 102400 sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" - SKU: 101017 sailrite.com/Gingher-Scissors-Right-Hand-Lightweight?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set - SKU: 121669 sailrite.com/Marking-Chalk-Cartridge-for-Fabrics?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) - SKU: 311602 sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine-110V?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table - SKU: 120934 sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-Industrial-Sewing-Table?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Thread Clipper Kuroha - SKU: 121908 sailrite.com/Thread-Clipper-Kuroha?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040 sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Speed Reduction Upgrade With Manual Operation - SKU: 123372 sailrite.com/Speed-Reduction-Upgrade-with-Manual-Operation-for-Ultrafeed-LS-LSZ?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Sailrite® 3/4" Swing-Away Binder - SKU: 100102 sailrite.com/Binder-3-4-Swing-Bracket?utm_source=DIY&utm_medium=Easy_U-Shaped_Zipper_Rainflap
Heat Gun, Razor Blade
