Originally Posted by
carolynjo
You can split the back, even though it is quilted, insert a zipper, and it will not ruin the back. You may have to sew an unquilted strip on each side of the cut, but you should be able to get the zipper in okay.
I would do the split to look like it is very near the edge. But don't cut it. Sew a narrow strip of matching fabric to one edge of the zipper, then fold the quilted piece to cover the zipper. That way you would lose only about one half inch of your quilted panel. The narrow strip on the zipper tape would be caught in the binding seam.
Or forget about the narrow strip of fabric. Just fold a little of your panel to cover the zipper. Sew that down onto the zipper tape. Then use the other side of the zipper tape as your seam allowance as you sew the two panels together.
Let me know if you need more clarification.