I sew over pins all the time on my Janome Excel all the time I've hit the occasional pin. I dont on the Janome 9700 but thats more cause I dont use it that often for normal sewing. I actually was told I couldnt/shouldnt use interfacing as backing on my embroidery because it would damage the machine .. funny cause its also a sewing machine so how come I can use it in collars and such but not with embroidery.. Me thinks there is a lot of myths going around :)