Knee Lift Survey
 

I use my right foot and my right knee. It is kind of like driving a stick shift, I guess. It just seems "right".

Sorry, I am no help. I think it is one of those things that has a learning curve.

I use the right foot/knee for both. My frustration is that my knee lift (Bernina 440) seems to move to the right as time goes on, so I have to move my knee further and further to the right to use it. Very awkward. Occasionally, I "unplug" and reinsert it and then the same problem begins to develop all over again. Is it just me or do others have this problem?

I have a Janome 6600 and DH tweaked the knee lift for me. It was too far over and I really had to push my leg over quite a bit just to use it. I use my right foot on the pedal and the lift.

I use the same leg for both jobs. I am left hand minded so adapting to the right hand world is easy for me. I also padded the knee lift with some scrap batting and duck tape 'cause in the summer when I have shorts on, that metal arm is cold against the leg! Do what ever works for you. It may seem awkward at first but so was walking for the first time.
peace

I use right leg for both.

I use my right knee for the lift and my left foot for the pedal. It was a bit awkward at first but now I'm used to it and it works really well.

I use my knee lift with my right leg and my right foot for the foot pedal. It's just 'natural' to me, I guess. But then again, I drive a standard, a motorcylcle and boats so I am used to having lots of moving parts :-)

Maybe it is something you need more time with. Someone mentioned wrapping their knee lift with batting. Perhaps you could wad yours up to see if cutting down on travel times helps. I'm sure different body builds factor into the use of these things- I have what I refer to as a peasant body, tall and sturdy.

Good luck. Keep at it. I have a difficult time switching to my old Singer (70's Vintage) because she lacks the knee lift but going to the treadles is not an issue. Go figure.

best,
d

I use the left foot and the right knee. Feels totally natural after you do it a while.

Same thing happens to me. I have a Bernina too. Hmm.......

Tartan ... I don't use it most of the time either, as it seems awkward. However, when I have used it consistently for awhile it does feel more normal. Then old habits die hard and I'm back to not using it.

So the old addage ... practice makes perfect ... and I think we will both become used to it!



CarrieG ... I have the 6600 too, and also think it's over too far. Did your husband bend the metal? or how did he tweek it foryou?

I have an Elna 7500 and just automatically have used my right knee and foot from the "driving habit"; but I'm left handed and left footed. Hmmm I need to try changing feet. Might be less tiring. Thanks for posting!

I found using the right leg for both was too awkward and I would confuse myself as to what I wanted to do...lol. So, I changed the foot pedal to the left foot. It was awkward to start with but I soon got used to it. Now I use the left foot on the pedal all the time, whether I'm using the knee lift or not

I have the same problem as gramma nancy does with my 440. I use both foot pedal and knee lift with my right leg and foot. It does start to move and I have to re-adjust it. I thought it was just me, but come to think of it, I don't have that problem with my 930. Very interesting. Does anyone know why this is?

I use my right foot for both. I have a Bernina 1530 and have no problems. Interesting how we all do things "my way". However; I can't sew with shoes on. Go figure. Teresa

And now that you both mention it....mine seems to do this too. I have the Bernina 430. Glad to know it's not just me.

I use the right leg for both functions....but it took some getting used to. I learned to sew (eons ago) on a 1947 White machine with a knee lever rather than a foot pedal. My first foot pedal machine took some getting used to!

My bigger confusion is using the knee pedal to make it go, because I learned how to sew with a knee pedal. I had a hard time learning how to sew again, when I got my first machine with a foot pedal!

I also use right leg for both on my Janome. Occasionally, especially with the kind of project you describe, I find myself pusing up the presser foot without realizing it. But generally, I am quite used to it. When I use my Featherweight I always have to remind myself to raise and lower the foot by hand.

Never use mine on either Babylock. Could never get used to using it. I was told I am probably sewing too fast to concentrate on the sewing and using the knee lift at the same time, if that is possible. My hand thinks it has to reach for the presser foot lift. Mainly I use the automatic presser foot lift that is built in. The knee lift is a neat concept if you can get your knee and your brain working at the same time. I haven't been able to master that yet.

I use my right foot on the control pedal and my right knee on the lift. I have a Bernina so I'll have to watch if my lift moves over. I do find that my pedal seems too close and sometimes I am pressing a bit on the knee lift while I am sewing. That sure messes up the sewing! Maybe I should try my left foot on the control.

I have a Janome 6600 and a Babylock Ellegante. The Janome is down in a table while the BL sits on top of one. I find the 6600 easier to use the knee lift on. My point is it could be the height of the machine contributing. I am fairly long legged, too. Probably making it easier for me.

Like the person that mentioned motor cycles and boats, my other "job" is part time farm hand. Every turn requires multiple actions from multiple limbs - an I used to do it holding a toddler! I think practice helps you train your mind and body to do these actions seamlessly. But if using both works for you, go for it.

Right and Right!!

Was taught by my machine dealer to use left foot on pedal and right knee for knee lift. I adjusted to it pretty quick. You have to forget sitting like a lady with this though.
Robin in TX

I find I am somewhat ambidexterous when it comes to most things. People have often commented that I hold things left handedly and sew right handedly and vice-versa so I am really not much help. However, I don't have any problem keeping my foot off the pedal when I use the knee lift with the right leg.

Right foot, right knee. Another option is to FMQ the design - as long as you drop the needle, you can turn the fabric without lifting the presser foot.

BTW - my knee lift had the same issue with working its way out of my Bernina. Took it back to the shop and whatever they did worked - no more issues.

Like Sammygirl, I too was taking inadvertant stitches when using both w/right knee and foot. To avoid this, I had to move my foot from the pedal and then back: extra steps. Then I broke my right foot and started to sew with my left foot and lift with my right. I could do this while wearing a boot. I have continued to do so since.

So, left/right for me.

both.......I purchased my first Bernina (36-37 yrs ago) after seeing the knee lift feature. I thought it was the greatest thing outside of the free-arm. It took a little time to get used to but since I knew the knee lift was an essential for my sewing I made it a top priority to get used to it. I use my right leg and knee to operate both the foot and the lift. I was determined to get used to it and I did!

I use the right foot and right knee. It takes some getting use to but after doing that a while, it is weird to do it any other way

My dad used to drive with his right foot and brake with the left. I thought it was hard to do, because I kept pushing them both at the same time. So I guess as long as you don't press the foot pedal and the knee lift at the same time, it will just take some practice, but sounds like a good idea if you master it.

I waited a long time to use my knee lift because I am very right sided. But when I started it didn't take me long to get use to using my left foot for the preeser foot. Now when I can't use my knee lift I find my right knee going over to lift it even if it isn't there. And I always use my left foot on the presser foot. I think it would feel strange not to.

I also use my right limbs for everything, but to the lady that her husband twicked her kneelift on her Bernina, I have he same problem, what did he do?

Me too. It works fine for me. If using your left foot works for you then keep it up and it will soon feel right!

DITTO.....I have never gotten coordinated enough to use both on my Janome 6500. Have featherweights and 99k that I use a lot so I'm used to leaving the needle down and lifting the presser foot.:):)

I use left foot for presser foot, right knee for knee lift.... that was the way I was taught when I bought my first machine with knee lift. However, I don't think they teach that way now. I remember how hard it was at first, but some 30 years later it is as natural as can be.

I have a Bernina and love the knee lift-use it and foot pedal with right leg. Not easy to go back to lifting presser foot on older Singer. I sewed on a Singer w/knee control and liked it also.

I have a Janome 6600 and love the knee lift! Right foot/Right knee : )

I just recently got a new Janome 6600 - love it and the knee lift. I use my right foot/right knee. However, I occasionally find myself using the knee lift to sew because I learned to sew on a machine that had a knee pressure for sewing. Funny how after 45 years - I'm reverting back to that.

I have the Bernina 440 also w/the knee lift. Love, love, love both and I don't seem to have the problem of the lift moving. I use my right foot and knee all the time.