Part of the reason that the Janome 8900 does a better job on the bulky pinwheels is because they revamped their 1/4" foot so that there is a space for the bulk to fit into as it passes under the foot. I broke my old foot and went to buy a new one. Noticed the difference between the feet. Made a BIG difference in sewing those center seams with 8 seams coming into them. I think the old one was an "O" foot and the new one is an "O2". Maybe the Brother has an optional foot like that. Ann