Sewing Machine

[dahliafaolan]

Ok, I'm not sure if this should go here or in the unrelated thread, so if it's in the wrong place, please forgive me mods. Alright, I started quilting a few months ago. The first quilt I sewed was sewn completely by hand. The last two have been sewn on a sewing machine that used to be my mother's. It's a great sewing machine. It's as old as I am and it still works like a dream. However, since I have no use of my feet or knees, it makes it a bit difficult to use the foot pedal. For now, I've been using my elbow to push the pedal. Does anyone know of a better way or machine to use? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[LisaJoy]

Dahli,

According to this link

http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmachineparts/p/footpedal.htm

many of the newer electronic machines are controlled with a button rather than a foot pedal.

My mom, sister, and aunt quilt -- my mom is a purist and does it all by hand. She has a gigantic roller frame that takes up the entire living room. In the next few weeks, I hope to be receiving her latest creation (she's been working on a queen-sized quilt for me for a year!).

I, for one, don't have the patience for any of it, much less the quilting part!

Lisa

[dahliafaolan]

I'd get along well with your mother then. I love doing things by hand, but I like the speed of doing things by machine. My favorite part of the whole process is the quilting part. And I would love to have a frame roller, but I live in a pretty small house where space is already at a premium as it is. So right now, I make do with a Q-snap frame that I can transport my work from place to place if need be.

[Ziggy]

My regular sewing machine has a button and speed control, no need to use the foot pedal. It's a Brother Innovis 1000.

[dahliafaolan]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. My boyfriend and I recently went down to the specialty spot and found a push button speed regulated Janome that he's buying for me for my Christmas present.

[LisaJoy]

Very sweet of him! Hey, post some pics of your work.

[gister]

BTW, if you can use your thighs by pushing them out. My mother had my dad attach the foot pedal to the side of her machine cupboard and bolted a longer arm to it. That way we could just press the pedal by moving our thigh out and against it. Just a thought for you or others.
Beth

[dahliafaolan]

We thought about that, but unfortunately, the muscle control I have is not even considered gross motor on the most basic level. If I throw my left hip out while transferring, I can make my left leg kick out, but that's the full extent of my leg movement.

As for pictures of my work, I only currently have access to one of the quilts I did. One is with my best friend's daughter and the other is in Ireland. But I will post a picture of the Saints quilt I made for my mom whenever I get the hang of my digital camera again.