Thread: FMQ do you the foot pedal or not?

Thanks for that tip and I will be sure to let you know how it works for me.

I have a Viking reg machine that I put on a quilt rack..when I am ready to quilt..I use the on ..off button also..set the speed before..I start..It take time to learn.That movement which gets u the same stitch length..But once u do or have stitch control..I enjoy the freedom of it..We all have different ways of doing things.I think if u are comfortable doing it.Then it is right for u.

Originally Posted by meyert

no tips huh? sounds like I tried something really different! Well I like having my hands free too, but I can hit my stop button with my thumb and keep my hand on the fabric. Whether that means I have big hands or just a different machine I don't know. I don't change the speed once I start, I just continue at the same speed so what that seems to do is keep my stitches the same length (or at least much better than when I use my foot pedal)... something that some of you can do with your foot pedal no doubt, but my stitches are all crazy and different.
I will do some more tonight and then after that I may decide that I hate it

Oh brother I am so embarrassed to admit this, but I never thought of using the on and off button for FMQ! I am problem maintaining a constant speed with the foot pedal. I am so going to try this after Christmas when I get back to my quilting. Thanks for bringing this up meyert!

I have used on/off when fmq. I am a relative newbie to quilting having only taken an interest in quilting since 2009 and my "proper" machine being a janome 6600p last year for christmas after using a modern featherweight machine in case it was a passing whim. I like using the on off button because for me, it takes care of keeping the speed of the machine constant. I don't know if I would do it different if I had learnt with a machine without the off/on button ?

​I tried it but couldn't get used to it. Too many years using the foot pedal I guess.

kindleaddict63 - thank you for your response. I was starting to think that I must have just dreamed that someone said they use the on/off button. Plus I am using a Janome 6600P as well. I did a little more this evening, and I think I am liking it for just the reason you said... consistent speed. With the foot pedal I can really get going too fast. (I can't drive 55)

Originally Posted by meyert

kindleaddict63 - thank you for your response. I was starting to think that I must have just dreamed that someone said they use the on/off button. Plus I am using a Janome 6600P as well. I did a little more this evening, and I think I am liking it for just the reason you said... consistent speed. With the foot pedal I can really get going too fast. (I can't drive 55)

When I got my Janome 6600 a friend said don't even put the foot pedal on the machine. Get used to the stop start button. I needed a new pedal for my 3500 so put it on that and have never looked back. I used my stop start button all the time piecing and FMQ. I have used it enough that I can just move my thumb up to slow it down or stop it with no trouble. The only time I might use a foot pedal is if I am really trying to get an accurate seam for points and such..

sewingsuz - just keep practicing... I don't think I do very well myself. I just consider it all practice. Plus when I do the Quilts for Kids kits that is wonderful practice. I want the quilts to be nice for the kids, but I don't think the kids will notice my stitch length or wobbly lines