I Don't Know Where to Start!
 

Hello Quilting People,

I am at a complete loss and I need your guidance and advice to make a good decision. First a little back story.

I love quilting. My MIL is the one that got me started. She bought Pfaff 1222E for $15 bucks from a customer (she works for the postal service) brought it over and said "Happy Birthday! You're coming to quilting class with me n the fall." My Mom sews but because I have a disability I had never tried it before. I just assumed I couldn't because of the foot pedal operation; but I learned to sew one handed, using one hand to guide the fabric and one hand to operate the pedal. I have been sewing now for about five years and have pieced over 35 quilts, using my one handed method.

Now, I would like to be able to quilt small to medium sized projects myself, but I am unable to do this one handed. I would like to buy a machine has that push button option. Problem is I have no idea where to start. My Pfaff is pretty basic so I don't need anything supper fancy. I just want to be able to quilt small throws and baby quilts. I will have to save in order to buy one and am hoping to find something at or under $1,500.

Is that possible? Does anyone have any suggestions on machines I should try out? What features I should look for? measurements? I'm totally clueless here.

Anybody with a similar limitation have a suggestion?

A lot of Brother and I think Babylock, as well, have a start/stop button besides the foot petal. Check a local dealer if you have on, and see what they have.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

My utmost respect for learning to do all that one-handed!

I would talk to a local dealer and see what they have to say or speak with some one in a guild. They may have ideas. Good luck and God Bless!

I don't know your disability but what about a knee foot pedal? My old Singer cabinet has a place for the foot pedal knee high, just press with the side of the knee.

Won't be long before a sewing machine will be voice activated.

Unfortunately, I have even less control of my knee than my foot. My FIL thought the same thing and tried to rig my current machine... No dice. But thanks for the suggestion. :)

My Janome 6600P has the start/stop button as does the Babylock Espire. I love both machines and I think you could pick one up within your budget, as they aren't the newest model. The Espire has an auto foot lift for appliques, which is why I purchased it, but I'm sure there are more machines out there. These are just the 2 I can vouch for. Good luck and your story is inspiring ;-)
~ Pat

Also take a look at the Vikings. I believe that some of the lower end computerized versions have a start/stop button.

Since you don't want all the bells and whistles you probably will be able to find a used one that someone has traded in for a fancier model. The start/stop button has been around long enough that there should be some trade ins. Talk to local sewing machine dealers to see if they have one or for them to be on the lookout for one for you.

I have a Brother with a start/stop button.

I have a Bernina 350SE that has a start/stop button. I came with the walking foot ,1/4 foot plus some other. It has a variety of stitches and sews very well. I paid around $1250. I do love my machine.

I am also disable so sometimes we have to think outside the box. if you mounted it sideways, could you use your knee to press against it. I think you are doing terrific using your hand to control the speed. Maybe mount it somewhere vertical where your elbow would be pressing on the foot.

just a thought.... could someone make you a mouth 'squeezer' that is coordinated with your foot pedal squeezing?

I have a Brother that I bought at WalMart that has a start/stop button. I love it and use it when I'm not sewing on my FeatherWeight. You should be able to buy one in the price range of $179 - $399.

if you have a Viking Dealer be sure and check with them also quite a few of them have the start and stop button and with many different price ranges.

Don't forget Janome. My 4900 has a start/stop button and boy has that come in handy when I've forgotten the foot pedal at home!!

I recently put together a set up that might be helpful for you. Years ago I bought a New Joy quilting frame at a garage sale. It sat unused until recently, when I bought a Janome 1600P and put a stitch regulator on it to use with the rack. The stitch regulator has a little hand held piece with the start/stop button, which allows me to move my machine on the rack with one hand. I don't know if you have room for a rack, but I don't use my feet with it at all.

I bought the Janome on ebay for $600 (I think they usually go for $900, but I bet you can find a machine for somewhere around the $600 range), and the Quilter's Cruise Control was under $500 on sale. The rack was $200, and goes down to about 5 feet so it would be good for your smaller quilts. New Joy is out of business, but maybe you can find a similar one like I did.

If you can't use the rack, the Janome has a start/stop button and only does high speed straight stitch, so it's perfect for quilting.

Anyway. I hope that helps!

brother babylock will have what you are looking for, you can probably get a nice used model like the laura ashley/symphony or maybe even a QC1000/espire with so many trading up there are probably some good deals out there, these are easy to use with the button.I got my espire for a little more than 1500 but that was 4 years ago they probably go for around like 1k by now, but you might be able to score a used laura ashley/symphony in that range. They are lovely machines,had mine for 2 1/2 years before I traded her in for my brother. That machines sewed and quilted beautiful.

Here's a photo of what I was trying to describe earlier. This is the button that I hold in my hand to start sewing.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...&sz=w1246-h412

Since you are doing so well without the start/stop button, why not continue without it and get a system to hold the piece you are quilting up in the air to make it easier to maneuver. Just a thought. There has been a lot of discussion about that system on this board lately. I will try to find the link. You are an inspiration!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...g-t250048.html

Here is the link. Interesting concept.

AllyStitches, do you have a picture I could see? This sound neat and although I might not be able to do this immediately it might be an option in the future. I am a visual person though, and really need to see it to understand what you have going on. :)

Oops just saw you tried to add a picture, but it didn't work...

No help here with a machine, but I must say you have my complete admiration for not letting a disability stop you from accomplishing your dreams!

Thay quilt in the air thing looks neat. but I think I would still need the stop start button.

Ok. Let me try photos again. I took a second one this morning too.[ATTACH=CONFIG]485643[/ATTACH]
The first one is just of the button, and the second one is the whole set up so you can kind of see how it works. The button is wired to the machine, but you can place it or hold on to it in whatever way you need. The Handi Handles were attached to the rack when I got it, but they don't work with my Janome so I just use them for moving the machine over the quilt. The pictures loaded kind of funny, looks like the first one loaded twice. Hope they show up this time and you can see what I'm talking about. You're welcome to message me with questions!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]485644[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]485643[/ATTACH]

My Brother embroidery machine has the stop start and cost $999.
I bought a free motion quilting foot for it and quilted double size quilt.

Sounds like you have received lots of good leads for machines with the stop/start. I have a Janome 1050DC and it has that and a speed regulator with a few fancy stitches. It only costs $300.00 (it's light weight and I use it to travel) and you can spend more as you move up the line and still keep the features that are necessary for you. Good luck on your research, I'm sure you can easily find one you like. My only other suggestion is to buy from a nearby supportive dealer.

Pfaff has a machine with both push button sewing and IDT...a win/win situation. It is an Ambition 1.0. We have one at work and it is a wonderful machine. There is a speed control lever so you can sew as fast or slow as you want to using the push button control. It's a really good machine.

I have never heard of a start/stop button. How do you control the speed? Well I just got my answer....seeing the above post which I now see!

I love my Brother with start/stop button AND speed control lever. I have problems sitting at the machine at a table for very long. So last night I drug my TableMate table up to my recliner and had a wonderful time sewing for 1-1/2 hours without nary a backache and my feet were up on the footrest. I use a slower speed when I sew this way than I do when sitting at a table.

do not know if this applies but could try the Michigan Dept of Rehabilitation or a technical school......

Another suggestion in addition to the start/stop button is to get one with a variable speed setting. That way, you can set the speed where you want it and know that it will always be consistent. Also, you might think about the needle up/down feature, because if you do stop stitching in the quilt, with the needle down, your quilt won't shift. And you might want to check with the various dealers in your area and ask about used machines.

Leah Day goes into some detail about this kind of system. She has a couple Craftsy classes on FMQ, and she also has a newsletter.

Congratulations on making quilts and not letting a disability stand the way of your talents and creativity You are to be commended. I personally have a Babylock with start button and also speed control and love using my machine. Best of wishes on finding the right machine for YOU

I didn't event think about this aspect of the start/stop! Now I really need one! :D

The Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 has a start/stop button. I have the 2.0 model which does not have s/s button. I love the large harp space for quilting. The 4.0 has been sold for about 5 years now, so there should be some available used, or a year end close out price should be under $1500.

I also have a Brother with start/stop button and speed switch, but it has a very small harp and very little space in the throat, so I would not recommend it for quilting.

try visiting a brother dealer. you might even find a used one with the feature you need. god luck with your search

When I started to sew with an electric sewing machine:) the machine we had had a knee control..the foot control can be mounted so that a lever can be pushed by pressing with a knee to make the machine sew.
Some machines now have a knee lever to raise and lower the foot but this was to make the it work like the foot control..
I have not seen this kind of control on a machine for a long time but I am sure it could be used again.. It let you use both hands to guide the material

Could you mount the foot pedal in a way that allows you to push it with your elbow. Not the easiest thing, but you've mastered one handed sewing so you could do it.

I give you high praise for learning to make so many quilts one-handed. Would you be able to use a knee pedal, I know my Mom had one, but I'm not sure they still make them any more, but it would be worth a call to you local sewing dealer. Keep up the good work.