zippers, the lazy way

so, i am a lazy crafter.  i admit to taking shortcuts once in awhile.  obviously, this doesn't apply to things i am making for beemates, or the occasional paying customer.  but, if i'm whipping up a dolly dress or something for myself, finished takes precedence.  seams are a little wonky?  well, it's probably not getting ripped out.

i was working on a secret project - i can't wait to tell you about it! - and decided to try something.  after googling "inserting zipper for pocket" and finding videos involving interfacing, and measuring, and cutting - i thought, too much room for error.  why can't i just do this?

this, my friends - the lazy gal's zipper, or, how to cheat when making a zippered pocket.

i laid out a  2"x13"strip for the left side, two strips 1.5"x4" for the top and bottom, and a 10"x13" piece for the right side (that will fold under to create the pouch).  i'm putting in an 8" zipper.

be sure to fold under enough fabric to cover the zipper ends

next, iron down the edges that will have the zipper attached to them.  (i turned under 1/4",  more on the top & bottom piece.)  stitch the top and bottom strip to each end of the zipper.  and let's pretend i took a picture of that.

 you get it now, right?

now lay the left side strip along the zipper.  using your zipper foot, stitch the zipper to the strip.

time to attach the right side.  sew zipper to fabric.

tada!  you now have a quick zippered pouch insert!  i think this could be cool using a contrasting fabric for the little top & bottom pieces.  oh - this is made to be stitched into the seams along all three unfinished sides.  i can't wait to show you what this is a part of...  oh the suspense!

so, tell me - do you sew zippers or avoid them like the plague?  is there any reason this won't work?  i'm sure mrs. johnson (my sewing teacher from school) would be horrified over this!