The finger on the left side works for me and slowing down as you get to the end of a seam. Right now, my big Brother doesn't like my foot pedal, so I am having to start and stop the stitching via the button on the machine. I am so glad I have it, but it makes using a stiletto a bit hard. I do want to start using the leader/ender concept to start making scrappy 4 patches, but just haven't started yet. First you have to cut some squares and then decide whether you want to use a single constant or mix it up. Too many decisions, when I just want to get a project finished. And there's all those little triangles (from the snowballed corners) that I still have to sew. Their going to finish at 1 inch. I'm a little bit crazy, I think. But, aren't most quilters??? "smile"