Well, to be fair ... the machine we got at the thrift store was/is probably older than I am. The machine I used at the factory was designed to PRODUCE! Production work is different from home sewing, and so the machines at the factory were actually more adept at sewing and production than a home machine ever could be - - until the last ten years or so. THen, someone figured out that there were serious seamstresses who don't work in factories and started making industrial strength machines for us. My factory machine - - I can't even move it by myself, and that is just the head ... forget the motor and all the other weight that is hidden somewhere in there.
On the factory machine, I could start sewing, tap back on the foot board and cut. I never had to hold on to the thread tails to start a new piece, the knee lever lifted the presser foot ... and any combination of those actions could be done on the fly. Most portable machines can't survive someone backtacking without using reverse, and if I don't make the reverse action in two distinct motions, allowing the machine time to slow, back up, and then sew forward ... i will bust needles, blow the timing, and all sorts of things.
Thankfully, private machine operators are now able to enjoy that productivity in their homes because machine manufacturers are starting to take us seriously ... Janome, Juki, Singer, and Viking ... all good factory machine producers ... and, now they are even making the machines affordable! How cool is that?
I loved factory work ....LOL

I usually sew barefoot or with sox on so I can feel the peddle. I find shoes to be cumbersome no matter what I am doing. I live in Southern California and most of the summer it is too hot to wear shoes anyway so it is easy to transition from any task around the house to the sewing room.

Yes, I wear light socks, not heavy or barefoot in summer. :)

WoW, The industial machines sounds awesome. I Bought a Brother Quilt machine. It cannot handle any thicknesses, just breaks needles and makes nests. I was recently at an upholsterers store and their machines were HUGE. Lots of head space. I think I would love one of those. I am happy to hear you loved you job , so many hate jobs, its a blessing when you love you work.

Usually bare feet - I also like to feel the pedal. If I'm sewing at the shop I wear socks and they freak out because they worry about dropped pins. I've never stepped on one yet.

no surprise.. Quilting is a craft with "exactness" or the corners do not match..... control, precision...
Main Entry: control
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: command, mastery

We wrestle with fabric, fight with color and design matches, we master the curves, points, various shapes..

Heck yes !! Control freaks !! Proud of it !!! Wish I had that smiley face !!
Ellen

When you go to the reply page, in the upper left hand corner are some little smiley faces. If you click on one, it will put a series of commands onto your reply form. You won't see the proper EMOTICON until you click on submit. I will click on the first row of five down and see what you think <g> That is the way I designate smile ... but here are the emoticons. :) :mrgreen: 8) :oops: :roll: Then, if you click on the words "more smilies", it will pop up a menu with thirty two emoticons, including :thumbup: :XD: :!: :arrow:
Hope this little tutorial helped :!:

:!: Oh! and, I forgot ... thank you for the definition of control ... you are definitely right ... quilting brings out the best in control issues. Good Job :-o

I am like Vicki, my feet get very cold, I need slippers on my feet in winter. Socks will do at other times.
Nancy

I don't where anything on my feet when I sew. I slide my shoes off to sew and then as I walk around I slide them back on. I usually have a pair of flip flops.

Diana

I like to sew....in my bare feet!!!! :) :D