I sewed over pins for probably 45 yrs. I continued this practice until I bought a computerized machine which warned about doing this and why. I had to retrain myself to mostly NOT using pins unless it was absolutely necessary in which case I just sewed slowly and cautiously Have never had my machine in a shop or damaged. That said, I now have the Brother PQ1500S and it occurred to me the other day that this machine is strictly for piecing and quilting, no computer chip here, so I am allowing myself to use pins again, not racing along and taking them out as I come to them and if necessary, yes, sewing over them. As stated by others, if you use very thin quilting pins and go slowly, there is no reason NOT to use pins.