they look great. If I want to make a bag, I have to have the instructions and video.

you will find the top of the bag and lining easier to sew thru if you take the time to trim the batting all around the edge. It does become very thick when you are trying to sew handles and have seams with batting. I have found this works well.

Thanks for all the nice words and helpful suggestions. I devised a solution that worked for me. I'll try to explain it below. It's a combo of a little of everything I was advised.

What I did is to finish all the edges of the fabric that goes on the side of the zipper. Then instead of putting this fabric at the top of the bag, I sewed it to the lining, 3/4" from the top. When it was time to finish the top seam of the bag, I just tucked the zipper inside the bag and it was out of my way. Here's some pictures of the finished bag and the zipper. I used white thread for good visibility.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]543562[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]543563[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]543564[/ATTACH]

Free arm does work better than flatbed. I usually have everything turn right side out through an open seam in the lining of the bag, then hand or machine zigzag stitch that seam closed.