celwood

I have been trying to learn how to do free motion on my Janome 7700. For regular sewing I use the start/stop button. I was having problems getting the right amount of pressure on my foot pedal so I decided to use the foot pedal for all sewing and found that my learning curve has been decreased significantly when doing free motion.

ManiacQuilter2

That is great that you found what works best for you. On my older Bernina, I don't have a start and stop button. It is just finding the right speed that you can move the quilt at the same distance that your sewing machine would do.

bisbetica

I have always found that I have much more control with my foot pedal rather than the button. I work at a Babylock dealer and we use the button as a selling feature, but I really do not think that it is as nice of a feature. The best innovations machines have made, in my opinion, are the needle threaders and thread cutters. I really think good control is necessary for FMQ and the foot control gives you that.

Tartan

My Bernina has a speed adjuster which I find very helpful. On my old singer I had to depend on the foot pedal. I had a hard time not pressing too hard on the foot pedal while moving my hands.
I depressed my foot pedal with my hand until I got the speed where I wanted it and marked it with chalk. I then used duct tape to stick a piece of wood to the foot pedal so I could only depress it until the wood stopper. It worked well until I upgraded my machine. If your machine is similar maybe this will help you.

Quiltngolfer

I like the speed control best for doing FMQ. My Janome 8900 has that, and it works perfectly for me.

jeanharville

I use the speed control too. That way I can press the peddle all the way down and still not go too fast. That leaves only the hands needing to learn how to free motion.

citruscountyquilter

I have never been able to master the start/stop feature on my machine because I use two hands to manage the fabric and that leaves nothing to push the button with. I always feel like I do when I drive on icy roads with cruise control. Everything could be fine but if something happens I don't have control to react. I use the speed control on my newer machine and on my older machine that doesn't have speed control I just know where to press the foot pedal. It's a lot like driving the car with the accelerator.

Karamarie

I also do all my own FMQing on my Janome 6600 and set my speed control at the speed I use most often and use the foot pedal. I have used the start/stop button and it works but I feel I have a better "feel" and control with the foot pedal. I especially like the start/stop button for my Granddaughter who can't quite reach the foot control.

mommessy

I free motion with my Viking Sapphire 870. I set speed down to a slow speed, I use my start/stop button to start free motioning. I find I have so much more control. Don't have to worry about using foot pedal. When I want to stop, I just tap the foot pedal and it stops.

nabobw

The 7700 also has a speed control use that