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I can't afford to get a sewing machine right this minute or for a while anyways. But I was wondering if anyone could tell me. Is there anything such as where you can set the speed of how fast or slow you sew even when using the sewing pedal? Please, if there is such a thing don't tell me it is expensive because that'll just make me cry. LOL
Yes, I have a speed setting on both my Janome and my Elna.....there is a turtle on one side and a hare on the other side...it is a slider bar!
What is a slider bar?Quote:
Originally Posted by lilmouse
Was just thinking the same thing...Quote:
Originally Posted by cyndiofthevortex
Could you provide a picture?
or sliding bar that controls your foot pedal speed - some cheaper machines have it on a dial
Attachment 27514
I have two Singers and one has a button with the turtle and my newer one has the slider bar. I love it because I like to sew fast and there are times I need to slow down.
My Bernina Bernette 80e has the speed control and it's a sliding bar on the front too. It looks more impressive than it really is. It's size makes you think you should have a lot of control over the speed, but not really. I really use it if I have the kids around while I am sewing. It keeps them from accidentally stepping on my feet or the pedal and causing a runaway accident. I know Bernette was not the top of the line, but she wasn't super cheap either.
Speaking of which, Costco has a Brother sewing & quilting machine for about $170 right now. I don't know much about it, I was on a mission to get in & get out before the holiday weekend crazy shoppers came in. Even Hubby commented on the price. (Honey, instead of a second sewing machine, I'd like a stand mixer if you want to buy me appliance type gifts.) I bet you can check it out on line too.
I have a Janome with it and it's great for practicing FMQ. I set it on medium and then I don't have to worry about the speed varying. It would be lovely to have a stitch regulator but that's way out of my price range. I'm hoping maybe someday the prices will come down on stitch regulators.
I have such a speed control on both my machines.
It is a Brother innovis 900 and the Husqvarna designer Ruby
It is really great for FMQ and sewing curves
Yes again! My Brother 450q allows you to set the speed with slider also. It comes in handy with free motion and when you know you should go slow but your lead foot has another opinion. I use it often!
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
I have a Bernina 730 and you can adjust its stitch speed as well, but it is computerized so you can set it to how many stitches per second/minute you want. Also, for FMQ it come with a Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) attachment that gives you the same size stitch no matter how fast or slow you go. No more toe nail snaggers!
Thanks ladies! I appreciate you all chiming in and I'm definitely going to have to check into doing some of the techniques to slow down on the pedal. I also like the "adjustments slider on the sewing machines". I have a Janome, but I have an older style machine so it doesn't give me the option to slow down the speed even when the pedal is pressed all the way down.
So I guess pretty much all machines have this speed adjustments, and that's all that matters when it comes to getting a new machine down the road (when I can afford it... lol)
