Ultimate Zipper Guide: Types and Where to Buy Them Worldwide

One of the things I’m asked about the most is what kind of zipper is best for a project and where I buy them. Even better than just share the few shops I buy my zippers from, I asked my friends from the C&V Sewing Club to share their favorites too. Here’s a detailed list of zipper types followed by a list of zipper shops around the world.

Different Types of Zippers

The first zippers I’m sharing are the No. 3 zippers, which are what I consider standard zippers, in my favorite colors in 14″-16″ lengths and stash them for all kinds of projects and pouches. These are what I prefer for smaller pouches and also to use inside sewing cases, and on pillows (see image above with zippers in greens and blues).

The other standard zipper is the Long Pull, Purse Pull or Handbag Zipper. These are all names for the zippers you see above, depending on where you buy them and who is talking about them. These zippers are No. 4.5 YKK zippers and are great for a variety of uses. I usually buy long zippers in this length, either 20″, 24″ with a double pull, or continuous (see photo above).

Metal Look Zippers

Probably my favorite discovery in the last few years are the Metal Look Zippers like these above and the stripe zippers below. The teeth look like they’re metal but you can just cut them with the scissors and sew them with your sewing machine without worry. The fun thing about Metal Look Zippers is that they are available in not only a variety of color for the zipper tape, but also for the zipper teeth. You can see the zippers above have bronze and silver teeth, and the zippers below have rose gold, gold, and silver teeth.

Stripe zippers are my go to zipper ever since discovering them last year. They are such a cute option and people constantly ask me where I get my zippers! Just like the Metal Look Zippers, the striped zippers come with a variety of color and teeth options.

Continuous Zippers vs Sized

The last thing I want to talk about is continuous zippers vs sized zippers. For longer zippers I have started mostly buying continuous zippers with exception of a few sized zippers in colors I might need but not want a lot of (like red, for example). Otherwise, with my standard turquoise, gray, and pink, I just buy continuous. Continuous zippers are great for larger projects. But they are also less waste because you just use what you need and aren’t left with random, short zippers.

Favorite Zipper Shops

Here are a bunch of shops that I recommend or were recommended to me by members of the C&V Sewing Club – many shops ship internationally, but I’m listing them by their location. Also, all of these shops come recommended, I will be trying more out in the future!

United States:

• ZipIt on Etsy – my go-to source for bulk zippers and the place I’ve purchased all my handbag zippers
• Modern Fabric Shoppe – where I bought my striped zippers
• SallieTomato – where I bought the metal looks zippers
• Sullivan’s Trim on Etsy
• Wawak
• Sew Sweetness

Canada:

• Emmaline Bags – I’ve ordered hardware from here and have worked with the owner
• Zipper Valley
• Blue Calla

United Kingdom:

• Purple Stitches
• Sew Hot

Australia:

• Voodoo Rabbit
• Sew Quirky – Maker of the Peaches & Cream Stripe It Up Zipper that I first bought from the Sewing Report
• RJs Crafts

Add Your Favorite

If you use this list and find it helpful! If you have a favorite shop I’ve not listed, please add it in the comments along with the location. It’s so helpful to have one place to look for a variety of shops.