I did not put the top rails and such on mine until it was like 3/4 full if I remember correctly. It wasn't that I had it perfect right off of the get go, I did that last. I put it in, removed most of the wrinkles, and began to fill it. As it came up to the jet opening I cut it in, then I put the top stuff on, then cut in the skimmer once the water was coming up to it.

The thing is, the liner in the collapsed one shrunk and dried smaller.