Years ago I was doing a long sub position and it was with high school aged special ed students. They never had used a sewing machine before so I brought in my Bernina 440 QE with the stop start button. I taught them to use it rather than trying to get their hand foot coordination . They loved it.

I have one on my machine as well and like others, have only tested in 1-2x. Can't seem to wrap my mind around doing that vs using a foot pedal after decades of sewing that way.

It's mostly what you are used to I think.

I don't like the start/stop buttons, but I have a friend who doesn't even plug in her foot pedal and I have to admit that has some advantages. Personally, I like the speed control the foot pedal gives me, she just adjusts the knob by hand which just seems so wrong to me...

I've been using vintage machines most of my career and I was recently given a modern machine by a friend. I'm trying to learn the available features and not just use the straight stitch. So far I love the knee pedal for the presser foot up/down. And who doesn't love a working automatic threader??

I'm trying to remember that this model can raise/lower the needle with a tap of the bottom of the foot pedal. I've been using the button but again, I don't like buttons!

I use mine for embroidery.

My Janome 6600 is 10 years old and I have never used the foot or knee petal.

I have used the start/stop button in class when I left my foot control at home. It saved my day.

For some reason I thought you had to unplug the foot pedal to use the start/stop button so I’ve never used it on my Bernina. I have used it on my Janome but only when FMQ and was taught to set my speed control to low/medium speed.

I never use the stop/start button. The advantage I see of having that function is——-get ready——-when you take your machine to a class and you have forgotten to bring your foot pedal! :-)

They are very handy when you want only want one of the designs of your special stitches rather than continuing with the design across your fabric. Example: one heart rather than a row of them. It really works.

I haven't used the start/stop button to sew with yet. The first time I saw someone use it was Debbie Shore using hers while she did sewing tutorials on youtube.