I think it's good to learn to quilt without a stitch regulator. With practice, you foot learns how hard to press the gas pedal versus how fast to move the machine head. While you are practicing you can quilt very slowly. I had to learn this because my Juki 2200qvp sitdown didn't come with a SR (but the later models now do). I actually like it now that I'm used to it. It does take practice, tho, and I'm not hung up on every one of my stitches being exactly the same size. Close is good enough.