I agree. The bulk is difficult. The first one I made from their kit. It was tough. The next one I used scraps and very thin cotton batting. That was even worse.
There has to be a better way.
I love making them, but wish it were not so thick.

I just sent mine off. I have a Janome 4120QDC and I did not have any problems and I did not change my needle. I wish I knew how to add a pic -- they are a cute bag.

I make a lot of purses/tote bags and you always have thick, bulky seams on them. I keep a hammer in my sewing room and "whack" 'em....I beat down the thick part (carefully.....) and that always takes care of the problem. I'll also whack the seams on a quilt if too many come together at the same place. I know my hopping needle would get caught on them. And it really makes my husband wonder what the heck I'm doing in there. LOL

Those are lovely! Just finished and sent back my first 2! What fun I had picking fabrics!

Angela Wolf (tutorial on jeans making) uses a hammer to somewhat flatten out some of those bulky seams. I have tried it and it helps.

First of all, I want to thank the person who originally mentioned Sadie's bags on this site. I contacted them and am already on my 4th bag for them. I also intend to send them some of my charity quilts. Next, I have not had any trouble sewing through the bulk. I have various Viking machines, but I use my little Brother on these and it glides right through. I use the Pellon type that came with the first kit and it does not seem to be too bulky. Hopefully it is not something with your machine.

Love my 401. It sews through 6 layers of denim. I agree though take it a little slow and don't rush it. I also have a Singer 2662 and it sews through leather and denim.

I would recommend using a walking foot, which might help. I do know that some machines do not like sewing on bulkier items. My very first sewing machine, as well as my Kenmore really preferred sewing bulkier items, cotton, not so much. Hope you can resolve the problem. I would also check your owner's manual, as sometimes machines have a way to help that problem, but can't think of it off the top of my head, but it had something to do with the pressure on the pressure foot.

Check your machine Manuel. Your regular presser foot has a small black knob on the left side toward the back of presser foot. If you read your manual it will tell you to use the knob to lock your pressed foot and the it will sew over heavy areas in your project. Bless you for making charity bags

What I do with the bulk is lighten the tension on the foot, most machines have a place to adjust the tension on the foot, use a denim needle, a bit longer stitch length and go slow. Most any machine should be able to handle that using this method.