Invisible (concealed) zips

[jenniepanda]

I've finally treated myself to a special foot for invisible zips, now I need some advice on the best way to use it.
All the online tutorials I can find seem to say iron the zip teeth first to the front first. However, the leaflet that I got with the zip doesn't.
Has anyone got any advice or experience with using these zips?
Thanks.

watching with interest (only used invisible zip once & it wasn't so invisible!!)

is the foot required different from the usual zip foot?

This was the first thing I learned to do in the sewing class I did nearly 9y ago. I've forgotten exactly how to do it(could probably work it out if I was actually doing it, but on the computer? Not a hope!) but i definitely do not remember ironig the zip first. If we needed to shorten the zip, or to fix one end closed, we sewed across it with wide satin stitch for about 3-5mm.

Is that what you meant?

Finding - yes its got grooves in that the teeth go through to enable you to get much closer to the edge. It cost £13

I did actually have a go at the method suggested in the leaflet and I was pretty plesed with the results, so I think I'll stick with that rather than the ironing method for now.

To be honest I a bit annoyed that I never tried this before, so many of my things have been let down by the quality of the zip sewing!

you can also do concealed zips by removing the foot totally and operating the machine by hand, a bit slower but useful for an emergency when you've got to put one in but can't find the foot...
I always iron, it doesn't make a huge difference, but is supposed to make the zip run through the foot more smoothly.

I never thought of doing it 'footless'! Can I ask if you usually sew the seam before or after the zip - again the tutorials seem to be half and half.
Thanks.