Foot pedal or no foot pedal?
 

I just upgraded my machine. From a Brother Project Runway CE5000PWR to the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. Clearly this is a plastic starter machine to a metal mid range machine. I was worried about upgrading to such an expensive machine - but when it went on sale last week at Amazon for $250.00 I had to get it. I have been looking at it for over a month and was planning on maybe getting it in June for my birthday.

Anyway - there are a couple things I LOVE about this machine. First of all the best thing is the auto thread cutter. This is an amazing feature. Add that to the extension table and I was sold. We went to Joanns to just see if possibley they had one there to try. Again - I was amazed to see it in action. They actually do 2 classes there for this machine and before the big sale on Amazon the one at Joanns was still quite a bit more.

The feature I didn't know I would like as much as I do is the ability to sew without the foot pedal.

All in all this is an amazing machine. If you see this baby on sale - snatch it up. Even for the experienced quilters with the big fancy machines this would be a great back up. The lady at Joanns said this is the highest level of the machines they have before you get into the ones that are in the thousands.

Does anyone else use a machine without the foot pedal? What do you thing about it? And do you have an auto thread cutter? If you do - do you think you could ever go back? I don't think I could!!!

I am in LOVE!!!!

I`ve had a janome 11000 for 3 yrs and just tried it.Don`t like it.I don`t think I could get use to it.Also has a knee lifter never use. I don`t see how you can hold your thread and put down the pressure lever. I guess if I used the knee lifter.Have a fiend only sews this way.
Guess its what ever you get use to.
Gale

I have a Brother PC 420.. it has a auto thread cutter, also knee lifter and also can sew without the pedal......... ..... I can not get used to the knee lifter (so don't use it) ... and I am so used to sewing with the pedal I can not make myself sew without it..lol (maybe I would love it if I got used to it) :) ... and as far as thread cutter.. I used it at first, but I am afraid it will tear up the machine ..lol.. so I hardly use it! .. Sorry I am not help!!!!!! :) :) :)

How does it work without the foot pedal? Do you use a knee pedal instead? That I'm familiar with, and I think it's easier to control.

I have the Janome Horizon 7700 and love it. Yes I love the thread cutter and really miss it when I use my backup machine for classes. I also love the knee lifter. As for not using the foot pedal, I like using the pedal when in sit down at the table mode. I use my machine on a frame too, and then I have a Grace speed controller - button push with dial speed. Couldn't imagine having to kick a foot pedal across the floor then!

I have the knee lift that I don't use. I have the start/ stop button but I use my foot pedal. I have automatic knot which I haven't even tried. I've had the machine for 2 years....I really should try it.:D

I have the capability to sew with no foot pedal but rarely do it, it just "feels" strange, I love my auto cutters, I love having the big throat. I also have the knee lift but have only "tried" it out.

I have the same machine and I love it!! Do not use the foot pedal....takes a little bit to get coordinated!! To push the stop button on time, but I love it!! My foot can get to jumping around and then the speed control goes out the window!!!
I kinda got use to 'sewing without a pedal' when I got my first embroidery machine and have not even used the foot pedal on my 9960 or my L500!!!

I love auto pilot and the speed governor on my Brother. I use auto pilot (no foot pedal) when I'm sewing straight seams in strips, or doing SID. It takes a while to get used to, but it is so nice not to have to use a foot pedal all of the time.

I have the ability to use a foot pedal but don't. I've never liked the foot pedal on any machine! I was thrilled to get a machine where I could just push the button to start!