When to attach lining to zipper? When to attaching lining to zipper? When attaching a dress zip, I find it easier to sew the lining onto the zip first.  Then bag the tops, and finally top stitch the dress zip. Conversely when I sew an invisible zip, I attach the zip to the fashion fabric first, then attach the lining, making sure that the lining is around 1/2 inch or so (1 cm) [...]