Have you used the Vinyl Coated Fabrics?
I made the Mondo bag for baby tote (it is big enough to carry an actual baby LOL) and used the vinyl cotton fabric for the lining. It is very soft and I had no trouble sewing it. I will definitely buy more of it for totes, placemats and other projects. If you haven't seen a Mondo bag in person, you are in for a treat. It's great.