So, this time I started w/ the zipper longer than the top of the bag ... I think that made all the difference.
This is a lame S&S, but I promised I'd post pics, so here they are *lol*
So, I still don't understand how to insert a zipper that doesn't go the entire length of the opening, like in clothes or if I wanted to make a bag that was wider than the zipper opening, kwim?