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My Janome 6600 has a "slider bar" speed control. I love it. To answer "what is a slider bar?" A slider bar is similar to a dimmer light control that you've probably seen in some houses to control overhead lights. Instead of sliding to control the brightness of a light, a slider bar on your sewing machine slides to control speed.
The cheapest and most simple idea for controlling speed... when you don't have adjustments... is an idea I saw on a Leah Day video. She suggests sewing without your shoe....better feel for pedal.... and to place a book under the heel of your foot which levels out you foot on the pedal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iloHoW9xD1g
I think most new machines today of good quality will have a speed control (those bought from quilt shops or dealers). It could either be a slider bar, or if the machine is computerized it will show up on the digital screen. A number of them will have the turtle and rabbit icons (or should that be tortoise and hare lol). My machine at the moment has groupings of arrows.
I have a Singer with a sliding speed control and a start/stop button.
Ahem . . . I think what CJ is asking for is a way to keep from sewing so fast when using her foot pedal - since she isn't able to buy a new machine now.
You could try a couple thing, CJ, one would be to put a small block of wood or something equally sturdy under the part of your pedal that you push - since there are several styles of pedals it's hard to know exactly how you would go about this. But, by limiting the depth that the foot press will go down, you can control the speed of your machine. You will need to play around a bit to get the right height of the block so the speed is good for you.
If that doesn't help, send me a PM and I'll send some pictures and show you what I mean.
I have used Sandy's method when my kids were starting out. It does work, though i still have one that's a speed demon when she sews.
Yep...Sandy you are right again. When I read CJ's post, I read right over what she was actually wanting to know. Glad someone could answer her question. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy Navas
My machine dosnt have that but what I do is put a mini-phone book (the one that is 1/2 the giant phone book, I think its just he yellow pages part) in front of my pedal and that way my foot dosnt go all the way down. I got that tip from Leah Day! It really helped me get in the habit of keeping a median speed going.
Both of my Janomes have the sliding bar for speed control. I like to 'put the pedal to the metal" when I sew and this feature helps keep me under control!
Rebecca, that's a good suggestion for practicing FMQing!
Yes, I have one on my Janome 7700