Step 3:
Attaching your zipper.
Now you are going to center your zipper on your new pattern piece - so the zipper is face down against the face of the fabric. Line the edge of the zipper up to the edge of the fabric and pin. I use the opposite edge of my zipper foot as my sewing guide, I have my needle lined up with the other edge of my zipper foot. Back stitching on both ends, sew from the end of your binding to the other end of your binding.
Next, you will attach the top of your edited pattern piece "A" to the bottom side of the zipper - the same side you just sewed - essentially, you are going to be stitching on top of the bobbin stitched you just sewed. It is kind of hard to explain... but you are creating a sandwich... your pattern piece "A" should be facing up, the zipper should also be facing up and the new pattern piece should now be facing down. Center the zipper, now you are going to sew exactly on top of the stitching you just sewed, being careful not to go any closer to the zipper than your stitch line, I actually sew just barley on the other side of my stitches - so I am sure to not hit the zipper - because you can't see it at this point. Make sure you sew from one end of the binding to the other, and back stitch on both ends.
When you finish, you will have one side of your zipper empty and fabric sewn to the top and bottom of the other side.
You are going to want to finger press your top fabric only towards the top. Finger press the bottom fabric (Piece A) and the zipper portion down. I use my iron to hold them in place after I've finger pressed. At this point I top stitch. Some people will tell you not to top stitch here - but I like to, because it's the easiest place to do it. You have to be very careful though, that you don't top stitch past the actual zipper teeth (do NOT top stitch onto the binding, or it makes sewing your lining together later, almost impossible).
So, you are going to face your zipper up again, and top stitch the length of the zipper on the top portion - being very careful not to go past the zipper teeth on the end.
Same with the bottom... you'll be stitching the top of piece A and the edge of the zipper will be the bottom - like this:
Again, being very careful of the end of the zipper.
Now we are going to work with the other side of the zipper.
First you are going to pin back the top portion of the first side to your first Piece A, so it doesn't get in your way.
Now you are going to pin your other new top portion to the opposite side of the zipper. The top of the zipper should be right sides together with your fabric... line up the edges again.
I always lift up the fabric after I pin, just to make sure that it looks the way it's supposed to. See, both top portions are facing each other, and the top of the zipper sandwiched in the middle.
Now you'll want to stitch the second top portion to that side of your zipper... using both edges of your zipper foot as a guide.
Next, you will make your sandwich again. Piece A facing up, then your zipper facing up and your new top portion facing down - line up the edges and pin, then stitch right over the top of the stitching you just did. I like to stay just a hair to the right...
This is what your stitching should look like - hopefully a little straighter than mine.
Again, you want to finger press the top portion back up and the top of piece A and the edge of the zipper down - so you can top stitch this side. You may want to use your iron to hold your finger pressing better.
When top stitching - again be very careful to stop right at the end of the zipper.
Now, top stitch piece "A".
This is what the top of your zipper should look like when you are done top stitching.
And this is the bottom of your zipper with your lining pieces.
See how the top stitching doesn't go past the zipper? The reason I top stitch the lining, is that it keeps the lining from getting caught in the zipper once the bag is finished... there's nothing worse than having to rip your lining out of the zipper and wreck your lining.
You can un-pin the piece I had you pin back out of the way.
Before you stitching your lining pieces together, make sure your zipper is OPEN. Very important!
Also, once you pin your lining pieces together, make sure they line up at the top and bottom. Mine were a hair off at the bottom, so I trimmed them there - otherwise my seam allowance would be off - and that would bother me.
Now, you are going to want to resume the lining instructions in the pattern.
I do want to add that when you are stitching the lining together, make sure the binding on the zipper is facing down towards the bottom of the purse.