Do You Use the Start/Stop Button?
#14
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,269
Interesting. I've never used mine. Do you have to keep your hand hovering over the button all the time? Both of my hands are usually on the piece I'm guiding through, so I can't imagine getting to that button without some loss of control. And then, I think the button is right next to a cutter button I never use, so I can imagine hitting that accidentally.
#15
I make a lot of jelly roll rugs and I use the start/stop button for those, especially when I am make the "cord" part of the rug. When I start the zigzag portion of the rug, I use my foot control for the first 3-4 corners for better control, but once the cornered ends become easier, I switch back to the button. When piecing I prefer the foot control for the shorter stitch lengths.
#16
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 2,362
Interesting. I've never used mine. Do you have to keep your hand hovering over the button all the time? Both of my hands are usually on the piece I'm guiding through, so I can't imagine getting to that button without some loss of control. And then, I think the button is right next to a cutter button I never use, so I can imagine hitting that accidentally.
Reading about it, though, it seems that I would need to also adjust the machine speed once I start. Most of the time my machine is on fast and I control the speed with my foot. It still seems like giving up some control but I will consider trying.
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,858
You nailed it! These are some prime reasons for me as well.
Reading about it, though, it seems that I would need to also adjust the machine speed once I start. Most of the time my machine is on fast and I control the speed with my foot. It still seems like giving up some control but I will consider trying.
Reading about it, though, it seems that I would need to also adjust the machine speed once I start. Most of the time my machine is on fast and I control the speed with my foot. It still seems like giving up some control but I will consider trying.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,403
When I learned to sew it was in 1962 and the machine was in a cabinet with a knee control. It was a pain to me to use a foot pedal - the stupid things are always slipping away. So when I got my Janome with the start & stop button, I love it. It did take a few days to learn to use it without a problem. Setting the speed is the clue to success.
#19
My foot pedal starting acting up a couple of years ago so I just unplugged it & started using the start/stop button and have been using it since then. I really like using it. I did find that I had to slow down my speed when using it & that is fine with me. After getting used to the button, you don't have to hover over it all the time. I also found that if I just barely tap the button one time the needle will make one stitch so it's easy to position the needle where I want it when I stop. I'm so used to it now that I don't even have to look to find the button when I need to start/stop.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,530
I have tried, every which way I can think of to use that start stop button, but...nope. I've figured out I'd need three hands to make it work for me. I'm good though, in that I really do like my foot pedals on both my machines. I learned on a knee lever, and the foot pedal was a natural for me.