The knee lift lever was a selling point when I bought my first machine about 13 years ago. I also have a Janome Jem Platinum that doesn’t have one. The replacement to Jem came out recently and I was surprised that it didn’t have a knee lift lever.

If you don’t use yours, why not? They are so helpful – they allow you to keep your hands on your project while you lift the presser foot to move your project.

I'm getting used to it on my new machine ... and am sure I will like it.

Though for now, I keep having flashbacks to when I learned to sew ...... no foot pedal, rather it was a knee lever!!! I don't know how many times I have tried using both the knee lever and foot pedal to start the machine stitching!! arggghhh!! :lol: :lol:

The Jem was designed as a small portable machine, so I can see why they wouldn't include the knee lever .... something else to take along, and would take away to the ease of mocing it around.

My Janome has it, but I just can't get used to it. The machine I learned to sew on and have used for the past 50 years has the knee pedal. So the knee lift is more of a bother to me than a help.

Yes I know what you mean! The first machine I ever sewed on, you used your knee to make the machine go. Now you use your knee to life the presser foot! :lol:

I'm glad you're using it. I wish more people would even try it, they would probably like it.

ha! Glad I am not the only one!! .... the irony of it is that I haven't had a knee pedal for 37 yrs. When I was married I went to buy a machine of my own, and discovered I HAD to have a portable (later found a cabinet for it!) and that I HAD to use a foot pedal. Didn't think I'd ever learn that one!

For me, they are cumbersome to use. I just couldn't make friends with it. If anyone on the board needs one for a Janome, I'd be glad to send it for the cost of shipping it. Please send a PM if anyone wants it.

If their machine has that built into it, would they not have received it along with the machine when they purchased it?

I don't use mine as my upper leg will go numb and so I don't have as good a control or in comfort.

ali

I love it! My Janome 6500 has it and an automatic thread cutter.

My problem is with my right hip joint. I would probably end up not being able to walk if I used the knee lift very much.

NOOOO I have a Viking with an automatic pivot. When you stop sewing, the needle stays down and the foot comes up just a bit allowing you to pivot or feed the next piece when chain piecing. Don't even have to think about it. This is my favorite feature.

Use the knee lifter allllllll the time, love it. First got one on my old 814 Bernina...so have sewed with that concept for years............bothe my current Bernina and Brother has one....

I wish I had a knee lifter.

I have only ever sewn with my knee! My machine is about 40 or 50 years old, and I have had it for 28 years. I am in the market for a new machine to get myself into the 21st century. I know it will take a bit of getting used to to sew with my foot and lift the presser foot with my knee.

When I first got my machine, I looked at it and went "what is this for". Stuck it in the case for the machine and never looked at it again. After a few years of owning my machine, someone explained what it was and talked me into trying it out. I have been hooked ever since. Love it when I am piecing blocks, especially when chain piecing. I have found it also very helpful when doing top stitching on applique pieces.

i have one on my juki and liked it. but the juki has been on the frame so long now, i think i'd have to get used to it all over again

I don't right now, because the hole where the knee lift goes is blocked by the bracket thing that holds the shelf that my machine sits on. I'm going to alter my table somehow so I can use the knee lift.

yep, I have one too on my Brother machine and love it.

Oh, I'd love that!! My machine does have that position, but as usual you have to reach under the throat and click a lever on the presser foot lifter. But I love it too because I do a lot of SID, etc with short seams and lots of direction changes.

In an old (really old) magazine I saw an ad for a "universal" foot pedal presser foot lifter - there was a double pedal like the brake and the gas and it was supposed to fit any machine. I tried to google but it must not have been a success. Wish another manufacturer would try to make one!!
That's the thing I hate most about sewing is reaching under the throat for the PF lifter!!! Did no-one think to put it on the front? Or make a button to press for it??

I had a Brother with the button stop/go and did not like it! I didn't like taking my hand off the fabric and constantly reaching up to the button. Especially if I made a mistake - I'd almost panic trying to "stop" before I sewed another 10 stitches! :-P :-P :-P

I have the knee lever to lift the presser foot. Never used it, I just don't see the point and I'd rather not have the lever in my way when I'm getting up and down - which is often.

I have the knee lever to lift the presser foot. Never used it, I just don't see the point and I'd rather not have the lever in my way when I'm getting up and down - which is often.

I have one and never think of using it. LOL Will have to pull it out!

My friend Beth has that feature on her Pfaff. I have watched her doing machine applique and can see what a help that feature is. Like you, she doesn't need to use the knee lift lever with that feature.

The knee lift lever is easy to take out and put back in. My sewing room is tight and I have to do this to walk around the machine.

Yes you do! :thumbup: At least try it to see if you will like it.

If you applique by machine it is an invaluable tool. Love it on my Janome

My Janome 9000 has one and has been used a LOT. My Bernina 830E has one, but I never use it because it automatically raises after I stop stitching(I programed it to do so)...so I don't need the knee lift. The hover feature, is awesome.

It wasn't until last year that I had a machine with this feature. Now it's an absolute "must-have" for me.

See where I wasn't the only one who sewed with a knee pedal machine. I mentioned this to some quilters and they never heard of it, they only knew about the knee lift. Guess they weren't in my age bracket, I'm a mid century gal, LOL!

Love mine, it's perfect for applique!

I use mine all the time! When I use my embroidery machine to sew I am lost without it. I used to work in a sewing factory so that is what started me using them. Keeps your hands free.

I do use mine and love it. It did take some getting used to though. The machine I am using now can be programmed to lift the foot when I stop sewing but I haven't gotten used to that yet. Takes time I guess. I have to work each new feature in slowly.

Same here.

I use mine all the time (I have two Berninas) and dislike using machines that don't have one, I am constantly moving my leg to find it!

I love my knee lift...especially when I am doing machine applique...makes it so much easier not having to manually lift the presser foot each time you go to applique around the next shape.

My Janome has one that I have never tried.
I must try it!

Yes you should - because you don't know if you will or will not like it until you try it!

It gets in the way. I catch things on it (or scrape my leg). I can't get the hang of sewing with my left foot so using the knee lift is a struggle. (I also don't use the on/off button)

Maybe when I "JUST" quilt - but not for piecing.

Why would you use your left foot when using the knee lift?
I've been using the right for both.

I never use the one on my Bernina. I do not sit flat-footed when sewing; I sit on a stool and the machine bed is at 38". My knee would be much below the lever.

When I was in Home Ec class (a million years ago) the sewing machines at school had a knee lift and I loved it.
But I now have a Pfaff 2170 that I can program to automatically lift the foot whenever I take my foot off the pedal. It does have a knee lift attachment too but I've never used it.

I have one on my Bernina 640 and will never buy a machine without one again. Well, except for a vintage Singer! It just saves so much time when sewing.