I Don't Know Where to Start!
#11
I have a Bernina 350SE that has a start/stop button. I came with the walking foot ,1/4 foot plus some other. It has a variety of stitches and sews very well. I paid around $1250. I do love my machine.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I am also disable so sometimes we have to think outside the box. if you mounted it sideways, could you use your knee to press against it. I think you are doing terrific using your hand to control the speed. Maybe mount it somewhere vertical where your elbow would be pressing on the foot.
#17
I recently put together a set up that might be helpful for you. Years ago I bought a New Joy quilting frame at a garage sale. It sat unused until recently, when I bought a Janome 1600P and put a stitch regulator on it to use with the rack. The stitch regulator has a little hand held piece with the start/stop button, which allows me to move my machine on the rack with one hand. I don't know if you have room for a rack, but I don't use my feet with it at all.
I bought the Janome on ebay for $600 (I think they usually go for $900, but I bet you can find a machine for somewhere around the $600 range), and the Quilter's Cruise Control was under $500 on sale. The rack was $200, and goes down to about 5 feet so it would be good for your smaller quilts. New Joy is out of business, but maybe you can find a similar one like I did.
If you can't use the rack, the Janome has a start/stop button and only does high speed straight stitch, so it's perfect for quilting.
Anyway. I hope that helps!
I bought the Janome on ebay for $600 (I think they usually go for $900, but I bet you can find a machine for somewhere around the $600 range), and the Quilter's Cruise Control was under $500 on sale. The rack was $200, and goes down to about 5 feet so it would be good for your smaller quilts. New Joy is out of business, but maybe you can find a similar one like I did.
If you can't use the rack, the Janome has a start/stop button and only does high speed straight stitch, so it's perfect for quilting.
Anyway. I hope that helps!
#18
brother babylock will have what you are looking for, you can probably get a nice used model like the laura ashley/symphony or maybe even a QC1000/espire with so many trading up there are probably some good deals out there, these are easy to use with the button.I got my espire for a little more than 1500 but that was 4 years ago they probably go for around like 1k by now, but you might be able to score a used laura ashley/symphony in that range. They are lovely machines,had mine for 2 1/2 years before I traded her in for my brother. That machines sewed and quilted beautiful.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Morris Plains, NJ
Posts: 1,803
Since you are doing so well without the start/stop button, why not continue without it and get a system to hold the piece you are quilting up in the air to make it easier to maneuver. Just a thought. There has been a lot of discussion about that system on this board lately. I will try to find the link. You are an inspiration!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cinnya
Pictures
28
01-27-2012 02:14 PM
sc-sunshine
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
11
07-26-2011 03:20 PM