OK I'm in the market for a heavy duty sewing machine which will sew through various thicknesses and not move on my table.

I also want it to have a Start/Stop button since I do not use foot pedals.

It can have other features besides just a straight stitch.

Any brand recommendations out there?

I recommend the Janome 6600P. This is a heavy duty machine and will sew thru anything. I have sewn heavy canvas, denim, fine silk, sweater knits and just about everything in between with mine.

It does have the feature of not using a foot pedal. It also has a thread cutter and a knee lift.

It is a heavy machine and doesn't move even when sewing at the highest speed.

Janome all the way! Can take anything thrown their way - either the 6500P or if you want that dual feed, the 6600P! You won't be disappointed.

IMHO, the 6500P is going to go down in history equivalent to the Featherweight and older Singers.

I just bought a Janome 6600P on the advice of my sewing machine repair guy; so far, I'm happy! It is a very substantial machine and sews well. I also have several Singers and a Bernina but I'm thinking this MAY be my new favorite...

I guess it still comes down to personal preference. I have certainly had many issues with my Janome 6500 and more issues with the dealer. My Janome 6500 does not like to sew through heavy fabric and veers off at seam junctions. It often bunches up thread at the beginning and hesitates getting started. My vintage Singer 201 does a superb job of sewing through heavy canvas but doesn't have the option of a start stop button (neither does the 6500 or if it does, I've never found it). My Janome 6500 cost me more money than all my other machines put together and it definately has not been the love of my life.

What is cost of Janome 6600P?

I recently bought a Singer 401a vintage sewing machine. It does everything you would want it to do except it doesn't have a start/stop button. I paid $70 for mine. It came with its own desk and the presser foot was mounted so you could use your knee to operate the machine. With my DH's help in manueverying our boat canvans cover I patched it. I also sewed through 8 layers of canvas to test out it duribility. You would be amazed how sturdy that machine is. I bought mine off of craigslist. It out sews my 2004 Bernina Artista Embroidery machine with the stop/start button any day. Might not be what you are looking for but thought I would add my 2 cents. :-D

Check out the Baby Lock line. They have great little introductory tutorial videos online.

I think it is like most machines you need to try them out and see what may work for you.

I think I the last price I saw, about a month ago, was $2,300 brand new. But don't take that as the FINAL price. I know someone who bought the next version up, which was selling for $3000, and she picked it up for $2,300. There isn't a lot of selling going on right now, and there's a lot of "wiggle room" in those prices. I know you could get it below the $2,300, and if you had a decent trade it, well below that.

But that's the machine you want. Button start and stop. Lever speed control. Lots of options. Sews through anything. Long arm to accommodate quilts more easily. Beauty of a machine. The "leg lift" is for the presser foot, so you can keep your hands on the fabric and lift the foot at the same time, pivot the fabric, and drop the foot again. You can also lift the presser foot the usual way, by hand.

Go and try it out. Let them know you're looking for a deal. See what happens. But don't make a decision until you've spent some time sewing on the machine so you know you'll be happy with it!

What about and older machine with a knee control for speed? The older knee control machine were mounted in a cabinet. I have a vintage singer with a knee control that is an absolute workhorse. It was my Mom's old machine and she sewed pinch pleat curtains, thick wool coats ... you name it that machine handled it.... and still does. I have a few decorative stitiches but really use it for straight sewing and zig zag.
Industrial machines have a foot petal that is often mistaken for speed control, its actually a brake. If you do lots of really heavy stuff maybe an industrial machine is your best option , but even used they can be a bit pricey. I have friends that have them and I am so envious... the sew faster and are just really tough machines, but typically only perform one stitch.

I have a Bernina 440QE. I just made a purse and topstitched through 9 total layers at a seam...6 fabric and 3 fusible fleece. No skipped stitches and the stitches were even.

What is the next version up? Is it the Horizion? As far as price goes money is no object with me. So even $3000 is not a big deal for me.

Of course I would wheel and deal with a dealer to get the best price I could on whatever machine I would get.

Getting the best price is my middle name and reason I have money in the bank. :-)

Yes, the next model up is the Horizon, and it's a beauty of a machine. One of the differences between the Horizon and the 6600 is that the 6600 has a built in walking foot, and the Horizon doesn't, if that's important to you. Of course it has a walking foot; you just have to put it on. For me, that wouldn't even be an issue, but we all have our priorities. The Horizon has the widest "throat" to accommodate the most quilt, more stitches, and is build like a rock. It has all of the features of the 6600, plus a lot more. It's a machine I'd love to have, if I had the money. Please, go down and sew on one. I did -- spent a good half hour sewing away on one, and she's a smooth, steady, solid beauty of a machine. That's the one my friend ended up paying $2,300 for, with rebates and good old fashioned American negotiating. Oh, and it comes with an extended warranty. Still needs it's yearly check up to stay in top running order, just like a car needs its oil change, etc., but that just makes sense, especially if you are a heavy user. She's a love of a machine, and you need to take good care of her, the way she takes good care of you.

Warmest Regards,