If you are sewing leather, you might want to consider an industrial straight sewing machine that is made for sewing leather. . Or eight layers of denim I have heard the Janome has a machine for that. I have a 550 Bernina and dh uses that to make his kilts more than I use it to sew on. I do not quilt my quilt tops or blocks...maybe some day. I still use my 1530 inspire Bernina because I love it. (It was acquired new in 1999 and is still going!)