I can still remember my Mom getting quite mad at me for sewing over pins! This was way before any computerized machines were invented. I do still have the bad habit of sewing over pins. There are times when I just can't get the precise intersection without sewing over or right up to the pin, but I do this SLOWLY, so I know if the needle is going to impact the pin. One look at my pin magnet and you can tell I have sewn and bent more pins than should be allowed in a lifetime. I have been lucky.. no trips to the repair shop for sewing over pins. I do purge my pin magnet of bent pins prior to a visit from Mom( getting rid of the evidence).