I'm looking for any words of wisdom on controlling machine speed while quilting. I have just been doing basic SID with a walking foot but have been branching out and trying to due some simple wavey lines in the borders and such. The problem I am having is keeping the speed really slow. My peddle is just to touchy. I'm using a kenmore. I guess its kinda of a machine question. Is there somthing I can use or due to my machine to help keep it slow.

I like the feature I have heard of on here that the needle always stops in the down postion. I'd like a machine that dose that. Are there machines that let you set the speed as well???

Thanks O wise ones.

I have a Bernina Aurora 440QE, and it has the needle down position also speed regulator and a BSR (bernina stitch regulator) for FM quilting. I am only just branching into the FM quilting. it is nerve racking, but fun just the same. Hope this helps. :)

My Pfaff's have slow speed and the needle up or down, I really like the slow speed as I would rather go slow and steady, rather than fast, my serger goes too fast for me.

Have you tried using the foot controller with your bare feet? I have better control with bare feet. Seems I can 'feel' what I'm doing that way.

I too always have to take my shoe off. When I'm doing a lot of sewing I will turn the pedal around and use my heel and because I get cramps in the arch of my foot easily.

I have a Brother 400 and it has speed control,needle up or down,thread cutter,and automatic threader.

try putting a piece of foam in the pedal space, then it can only go half speed, or a thicker piece and it will slow down to 25% :wink: :D:D:D

I have a Bernina Artista 200e. Do I have BSR and how do I use it?

My Brother XR7700 was about $270 new at Walmart and has the needle down choice, use of pedal or push button for sewing and a slider to let you set the maximum speed! It's a great little machine.

my viking has speed control, and i think all of the brother's we used at the sewing school had speed control...that's why we started using them they were inexpensive machines ($89-$139) but we could slow them right down for the younger students (and some of the older ones :thumbup: )

You can also use a peice of wood at the foot pedel to only let it go down so far. also practice FMQ at slow speed and you will get better!!!!!

Many brands have both of those features. Wal*Mart carries many styles of Brother that has these features. I plan to buy the SQ 9000 next time I'm there. It's $200.

If you are doing FMQ (free motion quilting) without a foot, just the darning type foot, you need your machine to go fast and your hands to move the fabric slow. If you are trying to do a FMQ type design in the borders using your walking foot I know I can't help. The walking foot always restricted my site of where I wanted to stitch so rarely used it. Then I bought a Pfaff that has the walking foot built in (it is IDT) and that is placed behind the foot and doesn't hinder site of where the needle is going.

I just ordered a Brother SQ9000, it has speed control, needle up/down and can drop feed, some simple alphabet embroidery, and many decorative stitches. You can also sew without the foot control with the start/stop button, which from my understanding, is helpful in FMQ. I haven't gotten it yet (waiting on the mail man!!! hurry up!), but as soon as I do, I'm getting a darning foot to start working on fmq.