I'll get hold of some Autosol and give that a try. They don't feel very rough so hopefully they won't need sanding. I'll bear that in mind though.

Thank you!

@BrendaP Your post has just arrived. I did spot Helen Howes' bobbins and will undoubtedly need more as I use Moon thread for bag linings and Tex 40 forthe outers. That uses up lots of bobbins so good to know her new ones work well for you.

I pondered going to the spring show at Duxford (but didn't) and it seems they were there! They've got the autumn show dates in their list so I get a second chance to drag DH with me. 

Yes, it's no problem to reset, I just thought it might be useful for our tech people to be aware. 

There are so many suppliers I'll include a list and comments on quality and range in the guide but just for now...

Hardware: Lots of places sell Prym (Empress Mills has a good selection as per Henrietta Maria's comment) and it's more economic for delivery charges if you can find hardware, fabrics and interfacing etc together. I started with Prym but they work out pretty expensive because it's nearly all packed singly and many things are always bought in pairs or more. Fortunately I've found some really good places subsequently that are usually my first stop now.

The best quality hardware by far that I've come across are by Emmaline. They're a Canadian company but Sew Hot have a good selection of Emmaline  and hardware by others too - all good quality. I think they probably have the biggest range of everything bagmaking in the UK including fabrics. Not bargain prices but all good stuff and not as expensive as Etsy. I really like their continuous zips by Serial Bagmakers and the matching SB sliders. The Serial Bagmakers home company site in Belgium has even more gorgeous stuff online but the delivery prices put it out of reach for me now as I obviously don't buy in bulk. Sew Hot also sell cork, the darling of bag makers these days but beware, they have lots of different types and what my hubby bought me for Christmas was not what either of us expected.

For budget hardware and zips which are reliable products that I often use myself and find perfectly satisfactory are from Bags of Difference and MeMadeMakes. The latter also has off brand interfacing and stabilisers which are worth a try too.

I also use Little Stitcher Sews for:

• her thread (the only UK stockist I know of Amann Saba Tex 40 - stronger and thicker so a good aesthetic look on a bag which my domestic machine absolutely loves). I've used it in all my bags but many others use Moon quite happily.
• lightweight waterproof canvas which is a big thing for linings just now and
• her StittchFuse medium woven interfacing - not as smooth as the Vlieselene but I really like it, it's never exposed of course and it's cheaper! NB currently sold out but she's expecting more this month. I guess I'm not the only one who likes it.

She's recently changed to free delivery for everything which really suits me as I hated buying one new thread colour and then always hunting for something else to offset the delivery. That wasn't always easy as I've only put a small dent in my Immanuel's furnishing fabric and she has some very tempting fabrics too.  NB She's closed for Easter until the 20th so you've lots of time to browse.

I'll stop there though as there are so many places I could list and concentrate on trying to provide more detailed info in the guide.

A classic beach bag Acorn for the Côte d'Azur or Camber Sands. Beautifully lined, I like it!

I've got a pair of rope handles by Prym bought in a sale a couple of years ago that I'd forgotten about for some reason.

Gosh, I was thinking it looked a bit unconventional with the central hook & D rings on the straps...and I know where the stitching wobbles are!   

You're all very kind but I've got to say it's a very accessible craft, especially for you vintage machine owners. 

It requires some reasonably accurate sewing (my clear foot with ¼", ⅛" & ⅜" guides is a real boon) but you can easily hack just a few patterns for lots of different looks. So you can just focus on a few to begin with.

Loads of really good free patterns and there's so much info out there about the way all the different types of stabilisers are used as well as various sources of support, not only from the bag making fb groups, but most pattern designers include a detailed video for each pattern and in addition many, many bag makers do their own tutorials/sewalongs including regular 'lives' where you can ask questions as they sew.

Would there be any interest in me putting together a guide to beginning bags from my own recent experiences? It's a big field these days and definitely not a cheap hobby with all the stuff that goes into a 'proper' bag but I've got my own notes on good tutorials, pattern designers (a huge number but some are particularly good for sewing on domestics rather than industrials) plus suppliers & price guides.

Just a thought…

I'm afraid I've abandoned my doll clothes quite heartlessly for over 6 months while I've been obsessed with bag making.

You've done a stirling job representing the genre it has to be said.  However, I have to make a rag doll for a friend's granddaughter very soon so I'll have to get back to that once the current bags are finished.