

Conversational Threads

Sandra B’s Video on Fly Fronts

AliceA | Posted in Talk With Us on

The “how to” video by Sandra Betzina on fly front closures is the most educational piece I’ve ever seen!!  Quick and to the point.  But I’m sure I’ll forget this the next time I want to do a fly front.  Is there an archive of this?  If not, is there some way for me to save this video to a folder on my computer and just how can I do this.  My DressShop pattern has a separate fly, but I’m gonna do the ‘cut on’ fly like Sandra uses. Much faster and easier to sew on.  Thanks again Taunton and you too Sandra. We need more of these “quickies”.


  1. CarolFresia | | #1


    The Video Tips are always up on the web, so you can access them anytime you like directly from our website. I don' t know if it's possible to save them to your own computer or to CD, but I've posed the question to our Systems Operator, and will be back to you with an answer as soon as I have one.


    1. dregan | | #2

      Hi, Carol,

      I am on this computer right now instead of putting in a fly front zipper, because I've never done it and really don't know how.  Is this video on the Threads site? I hope you answer fast so I don't keep wasting time not doing it!! Ha!

      I would appreciate it very much


      1. GinnaS | | #3

        Deb -

        The video is (or was yesterday) one of the topics listed on the 1st page of the Threads website.



      2. CarolFresia | | #4

        Ginna is right. Click on Threads on the navigation bar at the top of the screen, then scroll down the home page a little bit. You'll see "Video Tip" with the Sandra Betzina video on fly zippers. Her book, "Power Sewing Step by Step" contains the same info, and is therefore often at my side in my sewing room when I'm doing a fly zipper.


        1. dregan | | #5


          I also have power sewing. I will look when I can find the book. My DH put it somewhere while emptying all of my collections of patterns, material, notions, etc. from my grown son's room to paint, etc., to make it a sewing room for me!  It's hard to not leave it like it was, but life goes on and I can't wait!Thank you for the info.


          Edited 4/20/2004 1:12 pm ET by Deb

        2. dregan | | #6

          I just found the Power of Sewing Book and watched the video twice-just wish I could pause and play while using my machine!! It looks easy .  I didn't finish my sentence last time-always hurrying!  My husband is making a sewing room for me out of my son's room. He can't stand having my machine and sewing all over living room anymore! Thanks for great info.


          1. stitchmd | | #7

            Betzina's show was the best one around and it is awful that HGTV cancelled it. If you like this video clip please consider writing them or DYI (same parent company) to bring her back. I've written a couple of times, but what is one voice.

          2. dregan | | #8

            I never saw her show, but did watch the last tv show that use to be on around 7am and saw her on it.  I did complain when the sewing show was cancelled several times, as it was only sewing show I could see how things were done and was just getting back into sewing!  I don't get any sewing shows now, here, but it didn't make any difference.  I don't think they read those things anyway.


          3. SewNancy | | #10

            I have been making fly front zippers with Sandra Betzina's book for years and it is easy.  Her new book has great pictures and is far better than the old book's drawings.  Just follow her directions step by step and you will have a perfect, professional looking fly front.

            good luck

          4. dregan | | #11

            Thanks, I'll give it a try!

    2. AliceA | | #9

      Thanks, I look forward to more of these 'video wonders'.

  2. Thea | | #12

    I certainly agree that this video is very useful!

    When I found it (a long while ago) on your web, I posted a link in a Dutch sewing mailinglist I'm on, and it became an instant hit for a lot of fellow sewers.

    It is now a link on all Dutch websites that are related to sewing I know. So Sandra and Threads, thank you!

    I also would like to find out if the video can be downloaded in some way, because some of my sewing friends have trouble seeing it because they have dial-up or just don't have the right plug-ins installed, and are not very computer savy...

    One thing though: putting in a zipper this way, the zipper is right on your skin (or underwear). It doesn't have a piece of fabric behind the zipper (there is probably an official word for this piece, but I really don't know). Sometimes this damages the underwear a little. Has anyone of you all perhaps found a way to put a strip of fabric behind the zipper, like you see in RTW? I'd love to find out what would be the easiest way to do this.


    1. SewNancy | | #13

      It is simple to do.  Just take a piece of fabric  the length of the fly and double the witdth of your extension.   The ready to wear versions folded wrong sides together and serged on long side and bottom, angling is easier than curving.  Then attach it to the length wise exension and catchthe bottom in the top stitching. However, this is taken from a mans pants and since we don;t have anything important to catch in zipper, it is not really necessary unless you are making jeans and the metal zipper is not as nice against skin.  There are other ways of doing this, but they necessitate a more complex way of sewing fly front.  Threads has  published several articles on doing zpippers like Armani and Yves St. Laurent and they are more complicated.  The joy of Betzina's method is that it is easy.


      1. Ruth | | #14

        Here's a page with links to all the Threads Video Tips:

      2. beve | | #15

        Hi Nancy, I have been looking everywhere for the garment industry method you refer to and I have never been able to find anything "written out". Do you know where your RTW method is illustrated? I've looked everywhere..thanks, beve

        1. SewNancy | | #16

          Sandra Betzina has one in her Power Sewing book. It is not hard, but it does add extra layers to the front and if you have a tummy you might not want to add to it. I used this for HOt Patterns fly front faced pant. You really need it there so that you can put a buttoon or other closure!
          Otherwise I don't usually bother with it. If you have any BWOF mags, they often have a pattern for the shaped facing, but I just drew it out using the length of my fly front and how far over I wanted it for a buttonhole.

          1. beve | | #17

            Thank you! I appreciate your response. I'll let you know how it goes...beve

          2. lilah | | #18

            The pattern that I'm using now Simplicity 4135 from the threads magazine collection, has an underlay under the fly.  I had to read the instructions over and over to finally understand how to put it in.  I had no idea what the "underlay" was.  The drawing was very accurate, but it took me several minutes to assemble the pieces like I saw it.   I have actually caught my skin and lacy panties in a zipper that didn't have an underlay, so I will use it.

This post is archived.

Threads Insider


Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Subscribe to Threads today

Save up to 37% and get a free gift


Conversational Threads

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All


  • Sign up for the Threads eletter


    Sign Up
  • Bernina Sponsored Content

    Where to Buy

    Locate a BERNINA store in your area.

  • CraftStylish

