I can't imagine using the on/off button because I need to have both hands in place and ready to quilt when the machine starts. I learned to FMQ many years ago before I had a machine with an on/off button.

I just wish I could get half good at FMQ.

kindleaddict63 - thank you for your response. I was starting to think that I must have just dreamed that someone said they use the on/off button. :) Plus I am using a Janome 6600P as well. I did a little more this evening, and I think I am liking it for just the reason you said... consistent speed. With the foot pedal I can really get going too fast. (I can't drive 55)

sewingsuz - just keep practicing... I don't think I do very well myself. I just consider it all practice. :) Plus when I do the Quilts for Kids kits that is wonderful practice. I want the quilts to be nice for the kids, but I don't think the kids will notice my stitch length or wobbly lines :)

I really need to practice more. I usually do a lg meander stitch & am trying to stretch a little. I have had the on/off button on my Janome & also on my new Bernina but it always startles me when I use it. I runs much faster than when I use my foot pedal. I have been doing some sort of sewing for over 40 years & always used the foot/knee pedal so the button is something I need to practice more as well as using the open toe embroidery foot so I'm not turning the whole quilt to outline. These last few months have been a learning time for me. :)

I took a class with Jean Ann Wright at the Quilt show in Raleigh, NC last summer (she is a great teacher!) although the class wasn't on FMQ she talked about using the start and stop for FMQ and said it takes time to get used to it, but will greatly improve your FMQ if you stick with it. When several of us said we didn't think we could do it-she said take your foot pedal off your machine so you have to use the start /stop button. I haven't had a chance to work on this yet, but I want to get better by using this method.

As a relatively new quilter, the first time I FMQ'd it was with the on/off button. I like it because you can really concentrate on getting an even speed with your hands without having to think about your foot pedal. When I upgraded to another brand without an on/off button, I missed it so much I upgraded again. This time I not only have an on/off button, but I can also stop my machine by tapping the foot pedal too. :)

I tried with the on/off button but I just wasn't comfortable with it. Too much of a panic to keep pace. I need to go slow to start off evenly and I pick up the pace on curves and really slow down for bubbles and going over lines. I did much nicer work and enjoyed it more when I decided tho try to keep my speed paced to my hands.

I could never get the hand/foot coordination right with the foot pedal...the on/off button changed my life! I went from a so-so quilter, to being able to do much more intricate designs. It gave me confidence to try new things. I love the speed control, too..nothing to worry about but where your design is headed! If something happened to my machine today, I'd buy another one tomorrow with the stop/start button..no going back for me!
Also...no more tension in my shoulders ...I can sit so comfortably now that I don't need to use a foot pedal.

That's how I started out, I bought a bunch of cheap baby panels and just went for it. They are very simplistic looking back, but I learned a lot and got a lot of practice in!