I’m not a speed sewer at all, not even close! Longarm is faster than when I’m piecing, but not super fast either. Like all things, different speeds for different folks. When I took a longarm class I needed a couple of practice tops since I had no tops ready, I purchased 2 practice tops on Etsy, and was appalled at the seams. I spent several hours ripping and re-sewing them. Some seams were totally missed altogether, some were less than an 1/8 of a inch, etc. . I reached out to the seller and expressed my concerns and she stated that she was a “speed sewer” and it never occurred to her to check her work when she was done. 😳

I recently ran my machine at top speed, but it was for a very long seam when I was sewing the backing together. Other than that, I generally run 1/2 speed or maybe a bit faster. Complicated piecing, I use slower than that.

my newest machine startled me the first time i went top speed. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/eek.png
it's the fastest machine i've owned to date.
now that i'm used to it i will put the pedal to the metal when i can.
most of the time, though, i plod along at about 3/4 max.
i will crawl if it's the only way to maintain accuracy on that project.

I use full speed to test a sewing table. If my machine shakes I know the table isn't a good sewing table. At sewdays or retreats the tables are never the best so sewing slow is a must.

I do Not use full speed on anything. Not embroidery, straight seams, FMQ, winding a bobbin, nothing. I feel that I lose control and accuracy. Sewing slower works better for me.

Ican take my machines up close to the top for only moments at a time. I mostly stay in the mid range of my speed control. That is where I am comfortable. Especially when sewing blocks or putting on a binding, like I am today, I want a bit of speed but do not want to lose control of what I am making.

I go fast when winding bobbins and when FMQing. Going too slow will not give me even stitches.

My machine is meant to be sewn fast.

Interesting to hear what people do. For me I stitch as fast as I can control. Winding a bobbin, FMQ full out. Sewing strips together and other long seams--full out. Slow-rarely.

most videos look faster than it actually is because of camera speed.

My machine's top speed isn't all that fast. I keep it set on top speed, but I use a foot pedal and mostly sew slowly. If I'm piecing long strips or finishing fabric edges I'll go fast. I certainly hope I'm not ruining my machine by going slowly! There is nothing in the manual that warns about going slowly.