No, I don't use mine. The reason is because I learned to sew on an old singer that used the knee lever to run the machine. Every time I try to use the knee lift I revert back to trying to make the machine go with it.
I may try again sometime but ....

I use it all the time.

I learned to sew on a machine with a knee "pedal". But I've been able to learn to use the knee lifter and it does make things easier when piecing.

What I have NOT learned to do is to keep my foot on the foot pedal while using the knee lifter. So, I have multiple motions: put foot on floor, use knee lever, put foot back on pedal.

I don't have confidence to use the start/stop button - which removes my hand from my work, which was the point of using the knee lift - to keep my hands on my work.

Gee, all this knee-lift praise...need to try mine...

Using the knee lift is like multi-tasking and since I can't walk and chew gum at the same time, I can't seem to get used to sewing a new way. Maybe I'm just too old to learn new skills?

my vintage Bernina 830 has one, but I don't know how to use it!

LOVE IT! I have trouble sewing on my second machine which doesnt have one.

I would be lost without mine!

my machine does not come with it however I would use it if I had one.

I use my knee lift lever ALLLLLLL the time. Really am lost when I sew on my old Pfaff that doesn't have it.

I had an 830 also and once I got used to the knee lift I couldn't live without it, but my friend (dealer) talked me into buying a Pfaff. I was so lost without that knee lift that I went out and bought another Bernina just to get my knee lift back. Sold the Pfaff to my girlfriend and never looked back.

I love the knee lift on my Bernina! I can't sew without it and will never own another machine without it. When I sew on my FW, I keep trying to use the knee lift. I'm sure I look ridiculous.

I use mine all the time, especially when I am doing strips, mitering corners, appliqueing, etc.

I do, didn't at first, now I love it I just have to remember to put it back on

I have never tried mine...hmm..wonder were I put it

I definitely use my knee lift. I have learned to 'drive' my machine with my left foot and use the right knee for the lift. Now that I am so used to doing that way I even use my left foot when I use my serger.

The lift has become second nature to me... just use it ALL the time. I really miss it if it's not there!

Makes my hip bones hurt. Enough said.

I use mine when I don't forget.

My Janome Horizon has the auomatic knee llift and i was a little strange at first. NowI use it all the time. I love the automatic thread cutter, but if you use it and then start out, it ties a birdsnest. I complained and was told to chain feed the pieces. That works great. Also using a smll screp for a leader as Leaha Day does in her videos, solves that problem. She loves her Horizon. I now prefer it above my other machines. The best feature is the automatic feeder foot, which replaces the bulky foot used for power feeding for quilting. It is great, probly the best feature. I now dislike using a machine without it. Spoiled, I guess. The knee lift bar comes off, if you don't need or like it. I have learned not to lean on it though. I suggest a trip to the Janome dealer to try one. Nothing like a good old test drive. Like anything new, it takes some time to familiarize yourself with it, but now I'm hooked on all the nice features

I have one for my new machine but do not use it as I kept bumping it and raising the presser foot while sewing. I sew without it.

The Janome Horizon has the power feeder, thread cutter and knee lift. Leah Day says it is $3,000, but I paid a heck of a lit less for mine because it was a demonstrator. I had a set amount available from income tas refund and said here is what I have, can I get it for this amount and showed him the check. They came out of a huddle and said they would take it. Guess they were hungry for a sale. It was a one-time opportunity for me and them, as I am now retired and won't be getting any more tax refunds, ever.

You girls have peeked my interest. I am going to go find mine and try it.

:thumbup:

Both of my machines have knee lift and I will never buy another machine without one.

I use it all the time, on the rare occasion I have to take it off, my knee will move towards it and it is not there. lol

Got my first one with my first Bernina. Simply could not get the hang of it. Or maybe the coordination. Hard to teach old dogs new tricks. Then got into the decorative stitches and needed both hands on the fabric. Tried the knee lift and after awhile, it became 2nd. nature. Also have it on my Janome 6500. I can't say I love it but do find it very useful in many places.

pedal under left foot , knee lift, rock back on the pedal for needle up as i have it set for needle down.... talk to the machine, had grandchildren convinced the machine was voice activated when they were younger.....

They all sit in the cupboard because I have my computerised machine set to automatically lift or lower the foot when I stop or start.

I ♥ my knee lifter! Hardly know how to manage without it - and the needle down position, of course. Never used a machine with 'automatic pivot (needle down & presser foot up stops) but that sounds interesting too!

My parents gave me a sewing machine in a cabinet when I graduated from high school. Of course it had a knee control instead of a foot pedal. Twenty years ago I went to work for a Bernina dealer who made her bread and butter doing custom dressmaking and alterations. After using her machines in the shop I had to have my own Bernina. The rest is history. I learned to control the foot pedal with my left foot and also use it for my serger. I don't think I could sew without the knee lift. It is more than my third hand. The biggest problem I have with the knee bar is that I sew so fast that it tends to vibrate out of the machine on occassion. When I worked at the Bernina dealership the owner used to push the half speed on the machine I was using everytime she passed me by. Just another reason mpspeedy is my signature.

Thats how the machines all were when I was a teen and up, the knee peddle drove the machine forward, now the knee lever doesn't power the machine it lifts the foot. I have trouble using it because it seems like my knee is not in a good position to use it.

Love it, would not know what to do without it.

Me too!

So funny. You are way ahead of the times then.

I have one on my Bernina and I love it. I wouldn't get another machine without one.

I have an Elna Quilters' Pro and it has a knee lift. I use it all the time. If I have to use a different machine, my knee still looks for the control. As Elna is out of business, should something happen to my machine, I don't know what I would do. Just love it.

Mine too!!!

When I first got my newest machine, which has the knee lever, I was extremely frustrated- just could get the coordination and was lifting the presser foot when I meant to use the foot pedal. Then the gal at my LQS who sold me the machine gave me a great idea- use the knee press with the right leg and use the foot pedal with your left! Works great! Now I LOVE my knee lever and really miss it when I use my other machine that doesn't have one.

I had a Husqvarna Viking with pivot lift. It was wonderful! However, I prefer the stitch accuracy of Janome, so was willing to forego the pivot for perfection. The knee lift on the Janome does what the pivot did on HV. I'm in heaven! My 7700 sews perfectly every time!
Since I'm not perfect, I need a machine that makes me look better!

I can't use mine. Had my right knee replaced earlier this year and it is totally numb - I can't feel when my knee hits the lift.