I always use the foot pedal. I like being able to slow down when coming to a point or corner, or whatnot… and speed up when doing big loops or curved shapes. I like being in control of things including the speed. I also almost never use cruise control in my car ;)

I only recently got a machine that offers sewing without the foot pedal. I started FMQ 2 years ago in earnest so wasn't sure if I wanted to learn to use the S/S button method. I have tried it several times and like it. My biggest problem seems to be that when I go to quilt group I bring my old machine so use the pedal there and then come home and sit down at my bigger machine with S/S and feel rather confused at first :confused: I think it has a learning curve to switch from one method to the other and back again of course. Interesting to read what others think.
MagaQuilt

Oh brother I am so embarrassed to admit this, but I never thought of using the on and off button for FMQ! I am problem maintaining a constant speed with the foot pedal. I am so going to try this after Christmas when I get back to my quilting. Thanks for bringing this up meyert!

I only ever use the S/S button on my machine for all sewing. My foot pedal sometimes has a mind of its own and does its own thing - very fast. I cannot take the chance that it would happen when FMQ.

I use the needle up/down button so that it will stop in the down position when I need to stop and change position and have no problem with taking my hand off the fabric.

I really don't understand the on/off option. I use my foot pedal and control the speed as required by the pattern and my ability.

I'm a die-heart fan of the on-off button. I hated chasing my foot petal for years. I actually enjoy doing FMQ because of this button. I can "set" my speed and just go for it.

This is me, too. I adjust the speed so that my top speed is lower than usual, but I use the pedal so I can adjust needle speed to match hand speed. It's sort of like learning to drive a car, there's coordination between hands and feet going on there that must be learned and practiced. I can't imagine FMQ'ing with just one speed, to me that'd be like trying to drive through a neighborhood with cruise control on. What do you do when you need to make a sharp corner? JUST HANG ON, I'M GOING FOR IT!! :D I can just imagine myself trying that right now, I think I'd be doing a lot of yelling and laughing as I screwed everything up completely, LOL.

I almost NEVER use that start/stop button on my machine. (Janome 6600) I did try it a few times and it just felt really unnatural and almost dangerous to me. I only use it now if I'm stitching a decorative stitch and I want it to stop exactly at the end of the motif. Otherwise, I'm a "peddler", lol.

I use the start-stop button for all the no-brainer stuff because I hate may cheesy foot pedal but if I am doing a tricky bit, or FMQ, I need that foot pedal, cheesy or not!

Sewnoma, I love your analogy to cornering while on cruise control! You nailed it!

Sewnoma… your description is hilarious :) And exactly what I was thinking.

I love the on/off button. I have more consistent quilting and sewing. I haven't perfected FMQ as of yet, but I have better luck without the foot controller.