My daughter explained it to me after I put a zipper in a purse for her. I did it just like you did; sewing the zipper itself to the edges of the bag. She told me that you need to sew the zipper to another strip of cloth and then sew that cloth to the edges of the bag. That way the zipper doesn't catch on the lining and the purse top doesn't become skinnier when it's zipped up. Is this clear as mud? :XD: Would you believe she doesn't even sew? :lol: :lol: She's just observant.