This brings back memories of about 30 years ago when my DH wanted me to make seat covers for his new truck. There I was just sewing away on thick denim using a heavy duty machine needle when my index finger got too close...the needle went thru the skin at the top of my nail, jumped and went thru the skin at the side of my nail, jumped again and continued to sew the seam in the denim with about an inch space of stitching missing where my finger was. I got the machine stopped and sit there in shock at what just happened. Needless to say it was time for a break from sewing for a while.