Thanks you guys for all the advice! (Mikey2, I did realize that you meant pressure foot bar when I read your first entry.) Those dog harnesses are really thick heavy duty webbed material and I have to sew through an intersection that is three layers thick. I do have some jean thread and some appropriate needles (I think ... will have to check on that to make sure) so I will give it a try but very slowly as recommended. I did this same spot once before but used some other machine that the tension apparatus had gotten messed up on later so hoped that I could use the 99. Keep your fingers crossed ..... Otherwise I will probably have to go visit SteveH or ThayerRags. I am sure they could fix that harness up in no time with one of their heavy duty/commercial machines.