luana, yes, you are right about your hand having to leave your work when you use the start/stop button. That's just about the only thing I preferred about my Pfaff over my BabyLock. On the Pfaff you could press the button and then tap the foot pedal to get it to stop. I LOVED that feature. I use the foot pedal for regular sewing, and the start/stop button for FMQ'ing so I get a regular speed, but every time I have to lift a hand to press that button I grumble.