I was sort of challenged earlier today to make a bow tucks with a zipper. Turns out that you will lose all that nice wide opening if you insert a zipper. So I put a 4" strip of velcro between the handles. Also I don't care for the bulk of batting, so I used fusible interfacing. I quilted the pocket and then decided I didn't like that for the rest of the purse; took away from the batik design, so I quilted the bottom part to add stability to it. I haven't put the board in yet. I think I will use that needlepoint plastic mesh stuff, if I have a piece the right size. I am not going shopping again.