I thought I was crazy for buying the 8900 about 3 weeks ago. I do not do much sewing. I have not stop sewing since I got it. I was going to post today to tell everyone how much I love this machine. I was sewing things for my grandchildren last night which was very thick. This machine handled the thickness with no problem at all. I would have had problems with my old machine [janome 9000]. LOVE THIS MACHINE.