lawsonmugs -- love your bags with the lace zippers. I have made many bags with normal zippers (I think putting zippers in vinyl is easier than in fabric). I have made project bags to hold my quilt class projects as well as smaller bags that hold meds in my purse -- even taught classes at the guild. I second and third putting paper under the presser foot (and a Teflon foot is awesome) -- I have used tissue as well as adding machine tape. Do use a longer stitch (a 3) and do not back stitch (I organize the sewing so only the last end has not been crosses and I tie those threads.