Adding a zip to a RTW hoodie

This is a RTW hoodie which originally just pulled over the head. I found I didn't choose to wear it and decided to add a front zip.

(I've placed the sleeve over the logo which was embroidered onto the hoodie).

These are the steps I did, and what I might do instead next time.

1. Mark the centre front by measuring in several places and joining the lines up - I used a sliver of soap.

1b. I didn't do this on this hoodie but would do in future. Apply a strip of iron on interfacing the width of the zip to the centre of the hoody on the wrong side. This stops the fabric from stretching later.

2. Cut down the centre front, unpicking any sections of the hood that overlap at the front neck.

3. Overlock (serge) the front edge with differential below 1 (to avoid stretching the front edge).

4. With the edge of the zipper tape to the overlocked edge and right sides together, use a zipper foot to stitch the edge of the zipper tape to the front of the hoodie on both sides.

5. Flip the zip out to the right side and pin in place. Topstitch.

6. At the neck edge, tuck the top of the zipper tape up into the bottom of the hood. Add a few hand stitches to secure (I found it fiddly) and then stitch over them with the machine for strength.