The fabric I use is about twice as thick as quilting fabric. It is not so much that my Singer cannot get through 8 layers it is that it struggles. I love this machine for all other sewing and quilting projects. To answer your question, I am making the bionic gear bag (utube). But I also love oilcloth and laminated cotton projects. Yesterday I was using size 18 then 20 needles. Still had problems but fewer. I will diffidently give some thought to your suggestion of an ordinary machine