Outi Pyy is a crafty fashion addicted girl from Finland who specializes in recycle crafts and DIY projects. We came across Outi's work while searching the web and saw a passion for getting creative with zippers. Such a passion needs showcasing so we made contact . With a big box of YKK zippers to hand and a bit of crafty know how, Outi created a series of tutorials. The subject? How to turn zippers into classy accessories...

What you will need. To learn how to make Outi Pyy's Zipper Belt you will need the following things:
Metal zippers: Jacket zippers are good, 16 pieces at 60-85cm in length. For this belt I'm using 16 metal zippers x 65 cm long/ Denim thread/ A medium sewing needle/ A thimble/ Loads of pins/ Belt/corset fastenings/ Styrofoam as pinning base.

STEP 1 Separate the zippers into halves. (if closed end use pliers to separate)

STEP 2 Measure the finished belt length and organise half of zippers on one side and half on the other. I usually work the zippers in groups of 2-3. Pin the zipper ends down onto a styrofoamlike surface.

STEP 3 Mark the middle point with red pins. By doing this your belt will be balanced proportionally when finished. Start working/pinning them from each side, one group of zippers at a time.

STEP 4 When all zippers are pinned down, check the proportions of your belt and adjust the zippers if needed.

STEP 5 The next step is to release the zippers from the base. You can do this by changing all the vertical pins to the horizontal. The form of your belt will change slightly, but don´t worry about this as you can adjust the zips back into place while sewing.

STEP 6 Cut out all the plastic zipper ends like in the picture. It will make the belt easier to sew and more comfortable to wear (as this belt will not be lined).

STEP 7 Now for the stitching... I use thick denim thread, a medium sewing needle and a thimble when sewing. I am using red thread so you´ll can see better where the threads go. Start from between layers so the knot will be hidden. Sew through all the layers then come back up from the next layer. The thread should always stay between the zipper teeth. Do it this way means the stitching will be virtually invisible. Be careful that your thread does not get mixed up as it is impossible to fix later on.

STEP 8 Here you´ll see what the finished thread will look like from the front and reverse side. The stitching should follow your design form and it does not have to be in a straight line.

STEP 9 Sew as little as possible. Only what you need to keep the design together. You can leave large unsewn gaps between the layers as it will make the belt more flexible and save you loads of time in sewing. The gaps will not be visible when you wear the belt.

STEP 10 When the belt is sewn, stitch hook and eye tape at the ends. You can also use many alternative fastenings like lacing loops, snap on buttons or grommets attached to a canvas ribbon or individually sewn hooks and eyes.

STEP 11 Here's your zipper belt!

For more information about our collaboration and Outi, visit her website: www.outsapop.com