And the question is...Does anyone else out there in Sewing Blogland sew exclusively by pushing the start/stop button?
( in other words, without using the foot pedal of your sewing machine.? )
I don't even know where my foot pedals are. I've been sewing,using the Start/Stop button, for at least 10 years. I think I started because the button was there so why not use it. I sometimes get tempted to look for my foot pedals when I'm top stitching, for example, but that would take up valuable sewing time so I shake it off and of course sew slowly.
Sew Slowly ! I say that a lot to my students but that;s more possible with electronic sewing machines , I believe.This is my favorite machine.
That leads me to another question....What are your favorite special features that you would not want to be without in a sewing machine?
Mine are the extended sewing surface, the up and down button,the automatic cutters, the stop?start button , the speed control
and the mechanism take makes it unnecessary to take up the bobbin thread before you start sewing. I really love this feature!
I'd also love to have the feature where you can lower and lift the pressure foot with your knee, but I guess you can't have everything.
Now I know that one can sew wonderful things without having this type of sewing machine. I did for many, many years, but if you're lucky enough to have such a machine,, these features can make the sewing experience even more enjoyable. They also help if you have arthritic hands like me.
I tell my sewing students that they should buy the best machine they can afford so that as they learn, they will get less stressed. Nothing is more aggravating than a machine that keeps giving you problems as we all know.
Please let me know if you too use the start/stop button instead of the foot pedal and what you especially love about your sewing machine.
More soon from
20 comments:
I only use the start button for embroidery. Somehow it scares me for sewing, I guess I feel more in control with the foot pedal. (I cannot however sew with shoes on!)
I only recently got a computerized machine and my favorite parts are the thread cutter, the up/down button for the presser foot and the up/down button for the needle. All of these make the machine much less stressful on my hands.
I've never sewn with a computerized machine. My favorite function for a mechanical machine is no longer manufactured: A reverse switch that stays on without being held down. Apparently we are all so stupid now that we cannot figure out how to change from reverse to forward without help.
I use a Baby Lock Sophia 2 and old use that button for buttonholes.
Great post question! I am old school still and my machine does not have a start/stop button, (I didn't even know they have them) but I do love my drop in bobbin. Nice to be able to see when the bobbin thread is low! My machine only had the needle down option and I use it all the time. Maybe it's time for a newer machine.........?
I only use the start/stop button for bobbin winding and automatic buttonholes. I just feel more comfortable with the pedal. The feature I could NOT live without is automatic needle threading. I recently found out that my machine can sew on buttons! And I've had it more than a decade. Mine is BabyLock Decorator's Choice - and it was the best machine I could afford at the time. - Heather
I have a stop start button but never use it. I like to have both hands on the fabric. I think I have one of those levers to raise the presser foot but obviously don't use it (or else I would know if I had one for sure). Something I have been using a lot lately is the Needle Down position for stopping.
My machine has an excellent feature that I love and wouldn't want to be without , when you press the foot pedal it lowers the presser foot,its a great feature.
I'm still learning my new machine, so the start/stop button rarely is used. I know I can choose the speed, but it still goes too fast for me to find the button to stop it! I love just touching the pedal once for up or down for the needle position. I wish it had the sutomatic cutter, but I'm very happy with my Husqvarna 650 Opal. I do love the choice of stitches.
I had foot surgery in Aug of 2014 and was laid up for two days on the couch with my right foot propped up and another week with minimal hobbling followed by six weeks in a boot. If I had not had that wonderful push button on one of my machines I would have gone stark, raving mad. With that machine (Brother Inovis 40) I never use the foot pedal. But I must say, it is not my everyday machine, which is a Bernice 930. It's just the machine that comes out and sits on the dining room table when the sewing room is doing its duty as the guest room or it is needed for buttonholes. And boy does it do good on buttonholes!
Theresa in Tucson
I don't have a start button or many of the other features you mention. I think the feature I like best is being able to narrow the zigzag to almost nothing and then use it to sew knits. Oh, I just thought of one I like better... The built in walking foot.
I don't have a start button or many of the other features you mention. I think the feature I like best is being able to narrow the zigzag to almost nothing and then use it to sew knits. Oh, I just thought of one I like better... The built in walking foot.
Honestly I didn't even know I could use the start/stop button that way! Learn something new every day. My favorite machine function is the up/down button but on my Janome 8900 it stays down always unless I tell it to lift up. Didn't realize that until I sewed a little on my Janome 6600P and realized that I had to work the up/down button for everything.
once in a while I use the stop start button. But my favorite feature is the thread cutter. that is just so convenient. And I am so used to my old singers with the dials etc. I still after 3 years am not used to changing things via pressing the various buttons. My biggest gripe is the light which is I think an LED? It just seems glaring as compared to the old light bulbs on my Singer :)
The only time I used the start/stop button for sewing was when I took my machine to my guild meeting and forgot my foot pedal. LOL I don't feel as if I have the control that I have with my foot pedal. Of course I use the s/s button for embroidery. As with many others, the needle up/down is one of my fav features.
I only use the start/stop button. Won't even consider a machine without one. Will not have a machine without a drop in bobbin. Love the thread cutter.
I, like you, am not even sure where my foot pedal is. LOL.
I have never used the start/stop button. When I learned to sew, there was no such thing (at least not on my mom's machine), and I guess it's just habit, but I can't imagine giving up the control of my pedal. My favorite features are the knee lever for the presser foot that you mentioned, the feature that lets you change the needle position to always stop down in the fabric, and I don't know if it counts, but I love my embroidery attachment. :-) Fun question!
I don't use the stop/start button as much as I should . BUT -I couldn't live without the needle up & down button as well as being able to move the needle position right or left . Great topic !!
I bought a Janome S5 one week ago so I'm just getting used to it. So far I've only used the pedal. It seems to give me more control. The machine also has the knee lever to raise the presser feet. What I looked for in a new machine when my 15 year old Viking needed work that would have cost too much was the drop in bobbin, up/down button for the needle and a few essential stitches such as a feather stitch, greek key and letters. I'll have to give the start/stop button a try!
Two years ago my husband bought me a new sewing machine with a start button and I love it. I have not used my pedal since getting this wonderful machine. Well except the few times I have had old machine going. I love that button.
I only use the Start/Stop when free motion quilting. Mostly because my foot gets tired holding the pedal down for such a long period of time. Otherwise, when machine piecing or sewing a garment, I use the foot pedal. Old school I guess and I'm used to it. My favorite feature? I have a Brother PC420 (shown on my Power Tool Arsenal Page) and I love the knee lift! I always laugh at myself because on every one of my other machines, I make a knee lift motion to raise the presser foot and my knee hits thin air and nothing happens! ha ha Old dogs and all that. :) Love your creations and just subscribed to your blog!
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