Quiltingboard Forums - Machine quilting frame for Viking Sapphire 830

Quote:

Originally Posted by kheliwud

How to you keep it on? I mean, I only have the foot pedal, does that attach to your frame? :?:

Normally, you would buy a speed controller that attaches to the handles of the carriage & plugs into your machine where your foot pedal normally plugs in or you can do what I did at first which was to tape the foot pedal to the right handle on my carriage. I squeezed harder for the easy areas and let off for the curves or detailed areas. Kind of like riding a motorcycle.

I know Grace had a contraption on their carriage that you sat the foot pedal inside of and then there was a trigger on the handle that would squeeze down on the foot pedal. That's where I got the idea to tape the foot pedal to the handles.

Some machines--mine is one but I didn't use it--have a start/stop button that you can use but then you have to move the carriage at the same speed for all work--detail & easy. That's the way old timers learned to quilt on their longarms but it is very frustrating and kind of scary on the start ups and stops. You've got to be ready to roll as soon as you hit the start button and ready to hit the stop button a split second after you stop or you end up with some really nasty piles of stitches. With enough practice, it does work but having the controller on the handles either the foot pedal or the box is much easier to start & stop. I did buy a remote wand (start/stop button on a stick) for it and that was easier than reaching around trying to hit the button on the machine while it's sewing but I still preferred to use the pedal taped to the handles because I could control my speed that way. I was my own "Quilter's Cruise Control" or SLR--Stitch Length Regulator.

I know other quilters who just leave the foot pedal on the floor and kind of kick it along as they quilt or hold it in one hand and steer the carriage with the other hand.