It is my understanding that the cruise control is used to control the speed of your machine..like your foot pedal does...and the stitch regulator controls the stitching so that no matter how fast or slow your machine is sewing, the regulator compensates with the stitches so they remain even across your quilting. Am I wrong? I have looked up the two items (as I am contemplating buying from a private party), and the regulator is much more expensive than the cruise control/speed control. There is so much to learn!!