Years ago there was a member here on Quilting Board, and she (or her husband) made out of wood a foot rest, and the way it was made, the foot petal set upon it. It was a solution for sure, and I always was intending to order it from her, but never got around to it. So long ago, have no clue as to her name, but I think she was in the Killeen, TX area but that may not be correct either.