I have two Brother machines and they both have a start/stop button. I had always used a foot pedal and had back pain after an hour or so of quilting/sewing. My friend at the sewing machine store suggested using the start /stop button about two years ago and it has made all the difference in the world. I can sit for hours without any back pain at all.

No I have never used mine other than for embroidery & I don't know why. I guess it's all in what we get use to? I will have to give it a try

I only hvae machines with foot or knee pedals, but have learned ot position the foot pedal very carefully!

I think that would get some getting used to for me. I learned on the knee leaver & adjusted to the foot petal, but I would think you would have less control if you have to let go of the fabric being sewn to push a button.

I do. My Janome MC4900QC has it. It took awhile to get used to, but I do use it on long runs, FMQ, etc.

For those of you who don't have a start/stop button and have back pain from using the foot pedal too long, get one of the sloped foot rests that will hold your foot pedal. It really helps to lift it slightly and change the angle.

Yes, I do. That is one of the reasons I picked the new machine that I did. My sewing room has kitchen high countertops all around & I wasn't able to reach the foot pedal. Now, I haven't sewn in years, until I started this quilting thing a few weeks ago, so there wasn't really a learning curve for me. I really like the start/stop button, though!

Wow, I thought I'd been around sewing machines for a long time, but I've never seen a knee lever power control....and I learned on a treadle. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I actually think I would like that the best.

I L O V E my start/stop button!!!! Just took a little bit and now I wonder why I did not use it so much sooner!!!!

I have the button on my Brother. I just never took the time to figure out how to use it.

Unplug the foot pedal, push button to sew, push button to stop. :thumbup:

My Janome has a start/stop. Once I got used to it, I a stopped using the foot pedal altogether. I've used the button so much the print on the button has worn off.

Yup, I use the button on my Janome. I just got tired of my foot pedal walking away every time I used it.
I even bought one of those things that is supposed to keep it from doing that--didn't work.

So now my foot pedal is put away and I just use the button. Yes it takes a little getting used to when you first stop using the pedal. But hey there is a learning curve to everything.

Chris

I use the button. Took a little getting used to. I only use the pedal for machine applique where I need more control of the speed.

I have a new Brother NX2000 and I use my button all the time. I unplugged my foot pedal a while back and haven't used it again. I really like the button.

Sometimes I do, sometimes not. My kids' Brother machine has to have the foot pedal unplugged to use the start/stop button to sew, as does my Bernina Aurora 440 QE. One of the many nice features of my Babylock Quest Plus is that the foot pedal can stay plugged in and I can still use this feature.

I have two older Singers - one from the 50s and one from 1969. I have never heard of an on/off button on a sewing machine! Sounds useful though!

Do all newer machines have one?

I don't don't use the Stop/Start button for regular piecing. I like to start slow and then pedal to the metal. If you use the button you can't control your speed easily. But, it's a handy feature for some people.

I use my start and stop button on my brother (where is my pedal??) but the rest of my machines don't, when switching i always look for the pedal and then remember push button and then I'm good until the next time.( i always look)

I also have a slide control for speed which I adjust to what I am doing, slow for applique, speed fo piecing. I've mastered using both for c omfortable sewing.

I have a Janome 6600 and never unpacked the foot pedal. I sew exclusively with the start/stop.

Absolutely! That is why I bought this machine, I am pedal free!

I have leg issues and this feature was why I could continue machine piecing and quilting.

I never unpacked mine either!

I also have 2 Brother machines and a White and I use them all for different things. I always use the stop/start button. It's soooo much easier to control your speed. I have ddd do it's a lot easier on my back too.

I don't have the start stop feature on my machine, but due to a wonderful tip from the board, I've turned my foot pedal backwards and press with my heel. I seem to have more speed control and less trouble keeping track of the pedal.

I wore my first Janome out before I knew I could use the stop/start button for regular sewing. I just used it for embroidery. Now I have two more, and I have never used the foot pedal for either. I always had trouble keeping the foot pedal where I could reach it. I tried everything to keep it in place but nothing worked. Love the start/stop button.

Wow, I thought I'd been around sewing machines for a long time, but I've never seen a knee lever power control....and I learned on a treadle. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I actually think I would like that the best.[/quote]
Wish I had them now--much better than the alternatives!

My baby Lock grace has that feature I got that machine for my 6 year old to learn to quilt on.. She uses the button, too little yet to reach the foot petal.. lol..

I don't use the knee control to lift the presser foot either. I have two still wrapped in plastic.

I use my foot pedal for piecing and the start/stop button when I attach strips and quilt. I back tack when I piece and it is just easier to do that with the pedal. I probably don't need the back tack, some habits are just hard to break.

I've never used the start/stop button. I don't think I'd like it as I like to keep both hands on my work and also I like to be able to adjust the speed as I sew, if I need. I have learnt to use either foot though, which is handy if I want to use the knee lifter for the presser foot.

Same here

My Brother has this feature, at 1st I only used it when I was embroidering, but depending on what I'm doing I use it and have found it very handy. Of course, it took some getting used to.

My sewing machine has a start-stop button. I LOVE it. So much easier than having to press with my foot which sometimes makes it go too fast or too slow then stops where you have to move the wheel. That is aggravating. Yep, I like the button best. :)

I have never tried mine, but think I will soon!

I use the start/stop botton all the time, the print is worn off and that is what I used when I decided to teach myself FMQ It sure helped me.

My button only works with the embroidery feature. However, I recently invested in a new light which has helped my back. I find I don't lean into the machine to see what I'm doing. It was $ well spent. Hummmmn. Wonder if I could write it off on my taxes under health expense? Matter of fact, all of the quilting expenses - it's my mental therapy.

I have Vikings and you can use either foot pedal or button interchangeably. I use the button for some things, if I am stitching a long row of fancy stitches. But I still like the pedal. As far as the knee control, my mother's old Singer from the late 30's had a knee control so I was used to that growing up. But when I had to get a new motor and pedal for it I can't use the knee control any more.

Thank you.

I am always looking for that foot pedal. now I will try that button.

The stop/start button is great for FMQ. Set your speed at a medium speed and it remains constant.:-)

I have never used the foot pedal on my Brother. And the arrow on the button is wearing off from my fingernail poking it so much LOL