I've been using sewing machines fifty or sixty years, but this is the first time I've sewed my finger.
There would have been almost no damage had I calmly backed the needle out, as I do when I stab myself with a hand-sewing needle, but reflex jerked the finger away from the thing that had hurt it. Owie!
Bled so much that I had to put a bandaid on it before I could get back to work, and I had to hold my hand over my head for a while to get the bleeding slow enough to cover with a bandaid. At least I was well away from the white linen before the blood started welling up -- that may be because it's almost instinctive by now that when I wound a fingertip, I press the tip of another finger against it.
Worst of all, I had to do the dishes tonight, and it's sore enough that I may have to wash them again tomorrow night. On the bright side, a machine-needle gash is on the side of the finger, so I can still type.
11 June follow-up: much to the disappointment of the usual dishwasher, it's healing nicely and didn't need another soak in hot, soapy water.Joy Beeson