A good friends daughter would like to start quilting. She's a quadriplegic.
Her mom and I were wondering how you use the foot petal. Is there such a thing you can run your machine from the table? Could you just use the foot petal with your arm or elbow? Need your suggestions! Thanks! :D

There's a macine that has a way to run it without using the foot... I've been reading about it in my search for a new machine... I'll have to find it... but I bet someone will beat me to it... :D

Some of the basic Brother machines have a start and stop hand slider rather than the foot or knee pedals. Haven't checked into them myself, but have seen a few at different retreats.

Brother has the "Quilter's Machine" that has a start and stop button next to the needle. Also, some older Singer has a pedal that works with the knee.

Maria

quadriplegic.....does that mean she has paralysis in all four limbs? I was thinking of some kind of thumb switch like the long arm machines have on them if she has use of her upper arms and hands.

some e-mail to the sewing machine companies, or a letter in the local paper might bring you in touch with some one who could work some magic

A knee lift perhaps, or maybe if you want to make sure it works, though it would be harder, a hand crank model from the 1900s or so??

My Elna Quilter's Dream has a pedal and a stop/start button, so that would work. I would check around and see what other machines have, since if bought new, the Dream is pretty expensive, fortunately for me, I bought my used, still pretty pricey but not as bad. Hope this helps.

Many sewing machine dealers can adapt their machines for disabled users. Try them first. Here's a mouth adaptation. http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm...discontinued=0 Here is some general info (about three quarters of the way down the page) http://www.freepatterns.com/content/...th=3&year=2007 and here's the info on the powerlink 3 adapter mentioned in the general site http://assistivetech.sf.k12.sd.us/po...ntrol_unit.htm Also try your local disability rights organization. Best of luck to you.

You might want to check into a Janome. My 6600P can be run with a foot pedal or from the machine head. I have a slider bar to adjust the speed and a stop start button when running without the foot pedal. I know several Janome models has this feature.

if she can lean back or has some upper body control, how about putting something like the foot pedal between her and the back of the chair so she can operate it by leaning back?

What wonderful help you all are. I'm all over the mission now! I knew I could count on you all!THANKS A MILLION! :D :D :D :D :D :D

I have a Brother CS-100, a pretty basic machine that I got from Overstock.com that has a start/stop button, and it has a quilter's table extension that came with it. I have seen this same model at Costco a couple of times as well. I love it. I think I paid in the neighborhood of $130-140 for it...

I have a SINGER Quatum 1000 Machine and have not used a foot pedal since I owned this machine.
It has a slide button from turtle ( slow) to rabbit (fast).
It also does embroidery.....
Look into it. I have seen them on ebay

nor'easter - I know I keep repeating myself, but this panels computer skills almost matches their quilting skills, amazing,everyone is such a help, Cindy

I have a brother CS8060 machine that requires no foot pedal. It works all with a push button in the front of the machine. My mother got it at a yard sale but I know you can get them through Walmart. Hope this helps.

MissTami :roll: