I got a new machine last week with the start stop button. Dont know if I will ever use the foot pedal again. I was really struggling with learning to FMQ and just didnt have any control of speed when using the foot pedal. Now I am quilting my second quilt in just a few days. Really helps me get in the rythem and am able to put all of my concentration on where I am going. Funny to see this thread cause I was going to start one to see if anyone else had the same thinking. LOL

I love sewing with the start button instead of the foot pedal and the auto-cutter and threader - wonderful inventions!

Ihave a Janome and use it all the time without the foot pedal. I have gotten so used to it it now seems funny to use the foot pedal. I guess it is what you get used to.

I have a Bernina 820 and the Juki F600, both have start/stop buttons and the knee lift. With the Bernina, I tend to use the foot pedal more, but will find myself using the start/stop button if I need to do something quick. The Juki is my traveling machine. In class, I do use the foot pedal, but when I was house and dogsitting (for a week) a while ago, the only place I can sew was on a kitchen island. It was too tall for sitting and using the foot pedal, so I used the start/stop button. I pieced a whole quilt top doing that and it was fine. I've never used the knee lift with either machines though.

I have this machine as well. Love the knee lifter..but does not work on the sewing table I have so I don't use it. I also always use the foot pedal.

I have a Brother with the Start/Stop. Didn't think I'd like it. But one day I went to a friends to sew and forgot the foot pedal. I sorta liked it. Since it's my "travel" machine and my others don't have this feature, it's sorta hard to get comfortable. Love the knee lift-use 2 hands to put the fabric under the foot. Love/love/love the thread cutter.

I have the ability to use either. Very useful when you forget( must put in bag after this) to take to class with you. Sometimes it is much easier to select a speed on the machine and use stop start button. Without the foot pedal this speed control is your only control, free motion useful. Knee lift used but never felt need for.

have this machine and absolutely love it! also couldn't get used to the knee lifter - too many years sewing with a pedal. do use the thread cutter occasionally.

I do not use the start-stop button, only the foot pedal on my Janome 10,001 but I love the knee lifter. I use it when appliqueing by machine. I can use my hands to move the fabric an hold it in place while the knee lifter raises my presser foot.

I use the start/stop button on my machine when working with decorative stitches, it helps me not have to focus on maintaining constant speed when I am using those fancy stitches that move the fabric right/left/front/back :)
I also use it when doing circular sewing with the circle attachment :) set speed slow, load fabric, get everything set up, Turn on, then fold fat quarters while it sews a circle :)