[mouse]

I've been looking for switches and controls on the Internet for HOURS, now, and obviously it's not going to be as easy to find the solution I'm looking for as I had hoped. Can anyone help?

I am a T7 complete, so I have good strength and control in my hands, but have absolutely no control of anything below my upper chest. Thus, I cannot operate my sewing machine's foot pedal (used to variably control the machine's sewing speed, like the gas pedal on a car). Trying to squeeze the pedal between my arm and body or pushing on the pedal with one hand doesn't work, because I need both hands free to manipulate the fabric. Pinching the pedal between my chin and chest and using my chin to push on the pedal is VERY uncomfortable and almost impossible to affect well, as well.

I KNOW there has to be some kind of controller device out there that would allow for variable speed control that I could wire into the pedal control cord and convert this machine to operate it by pushing with my head, biting down on something, sipping and puffing, or SOMETHING, but I can't find a site that sells control devices and/or components.

Does anyone know of a source for control components that might help me? Not many people sew these days, so I'm not hoping for something ready-made... I'm TRYING to do this myself, or with help from other friends and family that like to "MacGyver" solutions from anything available.

[StillFingers]

Hi Mouse,

I put the following text into Google's search page

mouth control of a sewing machines foot pedal

and found the following link, it's a product named ByteSwitch, it appears to be a complete Singer sewing machine package that has been adapted with this mouth controlled switch. I don't know if they sell this switch separately or if it will work with other sewing machines...you will have to call them regarding your machine/needs.

http://www.bedhandle...ByteSwitch1.htm

Bed Handles, Inc.
2905 SW 19th Street
Blue Springs, Missouri 64015

Info and Sales: 800-725-6903
Fax: 816-224-6008
email: Mail@BedHandles.com
http://www.bedhandles.com/index.htm

Hope you find what you need, take care!

Jerry

[AngieG]

Hi Mouse,

Though I'm not big into sewing I've been trying to learn a bit. My Mom brought her sewing machine over one day and it had a auto button and speed control. Not sure if this is what your looking for but it worked great for me. Beat trying to use my arm to control the foot pedal. You can find it on Amazon.

Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with 1-touch start/stop and reverse functions.

[Tinbasher]

Hi Mouse

I am consulting Mrs Tinbasher who is a quilter. Shes asking what make and model is your machine.

The machine she uses most has a soft start option where you press a button and it pauses then slowly starts up but its a pretty new and semi pro machine. She knows a para quilter who tucks the foot pedal under her arm but this isnt a perfect solution.

This article has some suggestions.. http://www.freepatte...?content_id=603

A home made gizmo... http://www.workshops...TE/sewswich.htm

Tin

[mouse]

You guys are GREAT! I was so discouraged yesterday, but now I have a lot of new avenues to pursue!

As far as my model of machine... I HAD a Singer made back in the 60's and another from the 80's, but Mom has both of them right now, while hers was in the shop. Neither had any fancy computer controls or anything, but were solid, good-running machines. The 60's model actually had some fancy stitches, but you had to put in these little cams to get them.... I always thought that was funny. Now, you get a computerized model and just hit a button. I think the old solution was kind of clever, though.

If I can't convert what I have, a new machine that already does what I need is certainly a possibility -- there's Christmas, Anniversary, Birthday, etc. if nothing else, right?

Thanks again!

Mouse ___( C-.

[LeahC]

This is fab, I was on about something similar with my partner as I have a machine and wondered about the pedal xx

[Tinbasher]

LeahC, on 22 July 2010 - 04:42 PM, said:

This is fab, I was on about something similar with my partner as I have a machine and wondered about the pedal xx

Leah there is an organisation in the UK called REMAP which is basically a bunch of guys who make stuff for disabled people if it doesn't already exist.

http://www.remap.org.uk/

Mrs T tells me that most new BROTHER machines have the button start option as does her HUSQVARNA.

Tom

[Jok]

Hi Mouse,
My daughter is also in a chair she does not have use of her legs and sews quilts all the time. She bought a machine with a variable speed that is hand switch controled.
If you like I can get her to chat with you about it.
Regards
Jok

Here is one she made

[Jok]

[quote name='Jok' timestamp='1283461301' post='180935']
Hi Mouse,
My daughter is also in a chair she does not have use of her legs and sews quilts all the time. She bought a machine with a variable speed that is hand switch controled.
If you like I can get her to chat with you about it.
Regards
Jok

Here is one she [attachment=9257:Quilt.jpg]

[sh1wn]

Do you need to vary the speed as your sewing or could you set the speed and then sew?. If you just set it and go I think a fan speed controller will work check out the second one down on this page http://www.littlegre...controls2.shtml
Shawn

[LeahC]

Tinbasher, on 22 July 2010 - 07:36 PM, said:

LeahC, on 22 July 2010 - 04:42 PM, said:

This is fab, I was on about something similar with my partner as I have a machine and wondered about the pedal xx

Leah there is an organisation in the UK called REMAP which is basically a bunch of guys who make stuff for disabled people if it doesn't already exist.

http://www.remap.org.uk/

Mrs T tells me that most new BROTHER machines have the button start option as does her HUSQVARNA.

Tom

Thank you :-D