tootsie00

My sister is in a wheelchair from a spinal cord injury. She too, has used the machine with the foot pedal on the table. I understand how this is limiting. Short of buying a new machine with the start/stop option, which sounds very nice, maybe you can mount the foot pedal on a board, then fix it to the wall in line with your shoulder so you can lean into it. This way, you will still be able to see what you are working on, and use both hands to control your quilting. Stay stubborn, and you will master this.

lclang

I have a babylock with a stop/start button on the machine that would probably work for you. It also has a knee lift for the foot if you would be able to use that. It's optional. (I never use it). There are some machines, probably in the eight to ten year old range that you could find at a reasonable cost that would provide these options. Check out e-bay and your local quilt shop.

Weezy Rider

I've seen some wheel chairs that have attachments or controls built it and on. Is that what you have? If so, is there a place where you could attach a small board with velcro for the pedal to use with your forearm? If not, see if someone can reverse engineer a pedal safely. Maybe a toggle switch for on off, and a dial knob for speed? It would have to use the same plug ends for the machine.
We re-engineered the wiring in my Spitfire. I simply had rows of toggle switches on the dashboard. The law stated everything had to work (it did), the law didn't state HOW. So a good EE might be able to work something for you.

Some colleges are interested in projects for the handicapped. I remember the Air Force Academy demonstrating a sled for the handicapped so they could enjoy skating and hockey. Developed as a research project.

jitkaau

Perhaps you could trade in your foot operated machines on one which has an ON/OFF switch which is usually situated just above the needle.

Carol34446

I have a brother 9000SE that I paid $140. for on e-bay from a dealer in AL (others here have mentioned their name in the past, to early brain not fully engaged. It as the needle up/down, and button with slider for speed control so no foot peddle needed, so you can go really slow and as fast as you want. Great for piecing but you would have to GAYG as harp space is small. Have some vintage machines for that. Bought it for the 80 stitches, something my older machines didn't have but only have room for one set up so that is it at the moment.

teacherbailey

When I first started sewing, I used the foot pedal with my right hand and guided the fabrics with my left. Takes a little practice with that left hand but it wasn't hard, and I felt like I had more control with hand on pedal than with foot. I made several quilts this way! See if that works for you. Good Luck!

helenquilt

Don't know if this would work but I have a kidney shaped board made to lay across the arms of my chair. I use it to hold my books when reading. You might be able to lay it across your lap and put the feed control on it then use you elbow. I can some what understand you flustration since my husband spent 30 yrs in a wheelchair. He worked out many things but never got close to my sewing machine.

salederer

I hate to say buy a new machine, but that might be the answer. My brother i-nnovis 1000 has three different ways to sew. besides the foot petal there is a knee lever and a start stop button on the machine itself. I'm sure some of the other higher end machines offer these features also. Good luck. I too admire your efforts.

Farm Quilter

I don't have either of your machines, but on my Janome, if I unplug my foot pedal, there is a button right above my needle that I can push to start and stop my machine...do either of your machines have that? If you have to use the pedal, could you use your shoulder? Yes, it would involve having someone make a stand that you could put one wheel of a wheel chair on to hold it steady, but you could strap your foot pedal to a board that sticks out like a flag so you could use your shoulder to depress the pedal. Having it so a wheel chair would sit on it would sit on the base would give it stability so you could push against the pedal without having the structure run away from you. If you live anywhere close, I'd build it for you!

quiltingeileen

My Janome has a start and stop button. A couple of friends that have had knee surgeries used the button method and liked it so well have not gone back to foot pedal.