Sewing a zipper?

[nadinastarr]

I was wondering, I'm going to make a body pillow for my mom here soon and of all the things on it, the zipper part is what confuses me the most!
I have seen videos, read magazines and blogs, and I still am unsure HOW to go about adding it!! Some say add it first and get it out of the way, making sure the zipper is open of course, others say do it last.
The zipper I bought is a breakaway one, so I know that I have to secure it so it won't come apart.
I have to get this done soon so I am asking for advice on HOW I should start. I haven't even cut the material yet!! My materials are a soft fluffy one and a cotton one. I also am unsure what kind of needle I should use since the fluffy material is a bit thick.
So the questions I have are: 1. Where should I put the zipper, side or bottom? 2. What needle should I use? 3. Any other tips?
Any help would be appreciated!! I asked in one of my FB groups this about 2 months ago, and everyone basically said good luck with that! offering no help at all. I saw there are some people who sew here and thought I would ask.

[catchow]

I have problems with zippers too, my mother always sewed them for me if I needed one.

Would you be able to use velcro instead?

[linderlizzie]

I haven't sewn in a long while. Everything I did was trial and error. Rip, tear and resew.  Some things turned out pretty good. Some not so much, but passable. 

Zippers can be trying unless you have a really good machine with a good zipper foot and you have lots of patience. Practice makes perfect, you know.

You could always try asking questions of someone in a sewing shop where they sell supplies and are knowledgeable.

I advise trial and error if you want to get it done. You'll end up doing it the way you like best and you may end up being a real pro. Plus your mom will love it no matter what it looks like.

[nadinastarr]

I have problems with zippers too, my mother always sewed them for me if I needed one.

Would you be able to use velcro instead?

That would be an option, but since she wants it for sleeping, I think a zipper would be best. We also have 2 cats that really like tearing into stuff!

I haven't sewn in a long while. Everything I did was trial and error. Rip, tear and resew.  Some things turned out pretty good. Some not so much, but passable. 

Zippers can be trying unless you have a really good machine with a good zipper foot and you have lots of patience. Practice makes perfect, you know.

You could always try asking questions of someone in a sewing shop where they sell supplies and are knowledgeable.

I advise trial and error if you want to get it done. You'll end up doing it the way you like best and you may end up being a real pro. Plus your mom will love it no matter what it looks like.

I think I have an idea on how to do it. I just was thinking maybe someone had some ideas!

I have an idea that I want to try now. I think it will go better if I do it a different way than I originally planned. Hoping I can get it sewn this week!

[judylucas]

Patience is a must with zippers!!!!!!

[nannycoe1]

It has been a long time since I sewed anything, check it out on Youtube to find out how to sew a zipper.

[dogsleash]

My advice gut your material
sew the zipper then the rest ..

[vickysue]

I would sew the zipper first and then the rest of the cut material as you can lay it flat to sew. Now putting it in a pair of pants is a little tricker. But i have always had good luck putting them in first.Still take a little  time and practice. pin and baste it first to make sure it is in right and not puckered up.

[dsosnowski06]

Been a while since I made anything but zippers were always a problem for me.  Now I just take it to tailor when I need one replaced.

[nadinastarr]

Thanks to all those who replied! I figured what I would do is cut all the materials, then pin the zipper where I wanted it so the materials were facing. And pin everything together. Then, making sure the zipper was OPEN, sew it on first and then the rest.
I still am wondering though, what needle should I use for thick material?