Worked on a design floor and all the machines had them (and the samplemakers used them), so thought I'd like the feature, but never use it.

the knee lift, allows you to keep both hands free, for sewing, etc....the stop/ start button, is even better, I use both, and can't begin to tell you how glad I am, that I took the time to learn the stop/ start button. I practiced with some scraps, to learn it, and the speeds. I used a slower speed to learn, then as you are comfortable, increase the speed...it really doesn't take long to learn this, and is so well worth it!

My very favorite machine (in the whole world) is my Elna Quilters Pro. It has a knee lift and I am so used to it, it has become automatic. It would be a feature I would always look for if I ever get another machine.

Here's my only problem. I am sooooooooo used to it, that I don't want to use another machine, even though I have a small, light weight, Brother to take to classes, sew-ins, I don't want to take it because it doesn't have the knee lift, but my knee keeps looking for it.

I have the same problem. When I take my smaller machine to classes, leg is always moving but the foot isn't . . . duh... no knee lift. I LOVE my knee lift (third hand) on my Janome 6500!!!

I also learned to sew with a knee control.

I had a Bernina 9000 years ago with a knee lift and used it so much that I wouldn't buy another machine without one. I have the Horizon now and always use the knee lift. They can be adjusted to make them easier to use. Someone said they were too short to use one, I'm 5' and have it adjusted so it hits my leg where it is comfortable.

Bought a 301A in cabinet and didn't know until recently it had a knee peddle...I love it...use it all the time. I find I can control the speed better with it versus the foot

My son's and daughter's machines have the knee control ~ yes, there is a foot pedal on theirs, the knee control presses the foot petal, which is mounted up under the table. My son just asked "mom, can you put Godzilla's pedal on the floor" ~ his leg is getting tired when he sews, his thigh was hurting :) LOL he's 11

I can't use either the knee lift or the knee control. I had a knee replacement about 6 months ago, and the area of my knee that would touch the controller is totally numb so I tell when I'm touching it!! I have the little needle up/down button on my Janome, so I use that and the foot pedal.

Having never used one it took me awhile to even start using the kneelift that came with my Janome 6600. Why did I wait so long? I LOVE IT! I use my right foot and knee for the foot control and kneelift since I'm not coordinated enough to use both legs. My foot control also doesn't scoot around thanks to a small mat I purchased to prevent it.

I have a Janome 6500 and took a class from a gal in our Guild that knew a lot about that perticular machine. One of the first things she had us do was learn to use our left foot on the foot pedal and use the knee lift with the right leg. It was a little awkward at first but it didn't take too long to get used to it. Being able to lift the needle without using my hands is very freeing.

I have 2 different machines that have knee lifts and I can't use either one. My upstairs machine sits on a desk with drawers on both sides, leaving no space for the knee lift. Also, to have my extension table legs on the desk, I have to push the machine back to where the horizonal part of the knee lift arm is too short. My downstairs machine is strictly for quilting and is surrounded by 4"-deep styrofoam, so no knee lift there.

I don't know about my downstairs machine/knee lift, but the upstairs one can be taken out of the machine very easily; re-inserting it is a major chore. It may be a flaw on this particular machine/knee lift or may be common to all the Janome machines. Either way, not a good thing!

Hi, I love my knee lift. It lifts the pressure foot of the sewing machine. I will not use a machine w/out one. It gives you freedom to use both hands. I have two Bernina machines with the knee lift. I try to keep my chair/or leg, far enough away from hitting the knee lift. Take care, Mary

Some older machines had a knee (pedal) in lieu of a foot peddle. They were mounted on the machine cabinet so that your knee would press it to operate the machine. This did not have anything to do with the pressure foot being lifted. I bought an old cabinet that had one mounted but I took it off. Didn't need it.

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Don't think I could use a knee (foot pedal) after having the knee lift for the pressure foot. That would be rather confusing. Good Luck!!

I loved the knee bar to lift the foot on my machine that I had years ago. It was a Bernina. Didn't have to remove my hands from my work. That hasn't come on any Viking I've had since.

My late mother-in-law's machine had a knee CONTROL. It never had a foot pedal. I loved to use that machine. My daughter has the machine now, although she doesn't use it very often because it has none of the fancy stitches. It was just a basic sewing machine. I think it's probably and 1960s model.

I have a Janome Horizon 7700 and while it took a little getting used to, I love using the on/off button!

I had a knee control for my Bernina that I loved and used a lot until I began to have arthritis in my knee. I'm still getting used to using the foot pedal again.

Absolutely love the knee lift (lifts the presser foot) especially for paper piecing and other piecing too! I bought a second hand Bernina so I could have that feature. When I use one of my old Singers that does not have one, I am constantly trying to find it with my knee. Funny! I also have one that is a separate gizmo that can be bought and attached to your machine with a sort of wire and has a foot pedal that you push to lift the presser foot lever. Strange but I used it for years on one old Singer.

I thought you either had a foot control or a knee pad until many years into my sewing I found out the foot control could be removed & placed on the floor & used. I don't know what I would do now with a knee pedal, because I use my knee lift (for raising pressure foot up & down) so much.

My first machine had a knee control which I loved. My next machine had a foot control and a knee lift for the presser foot. It took a little while to remember which was which but I was younger so not too long. Now I can't live without my knee lift.

If any of you find you are too short for the knee lift you can add a piece of a swimming noodle to help with the width. Just cut off a chunk and slide it over the bar that you have extended to the right length. Go ask any kid if you can just have 8" they'll never miss it.

I'd much rather use my pedal than the knee lift.

The two peddles for my machines are stuck to the floor with heavy velcro. Did that about two years ago. And just love it. No more sliding pedal.

My Babylock has a button I push. Didn't like it at first, but love not chasing my foot pedal. I used a knee press for a long time too. As long as I'm sewing, I can adapt to whatever I have at the time.

On the old machines, such as in sewing class, the knee
lever was used in place of the foot pedal. Two of my machines have that feature now but it lifts the presser foot.

I am with madquilter

I love my knee lift! It allows me to lift my sewing machine foot off of my project so I can pivot without letting go of my project.

Sounds like you were talking about a knee control for your machine. I was raised on that type of a controller for my machines. I love it---I have a hard time with that big button on my machines to use my toe to control the machine. I loved the knee control. I have learned to use the foot control, but LOVED that other one. On my new fancy smancy machine---it has a knee lifter for the presser foot, but haven't really gotten used to it---because my knee is supposed to make the machine run, not lift the presser foot.

Sibyl

I learned to sew with a knee contol and igored the current Knee arm and used the foot contol. Someone at my quilt group told me it lifts the presser foot; tried it once.... Can't get use to the start/stop button either. I will try both again.

I grew up using a knee lift and miss having one. It is difficult to bend my foot all the time on foot pedal. Also my feet / ankles swell.. more difficult. hmm oh well, :)

I love the knee lift too! It's the second best thing about my machine, my favorite is the automatic needle threader!

The knee lift is the greatest. I wouldn't want to be without it. Once you feel comfy using it, you'll want to keep it forever. Allows pivoting with great ease. Super duper invention.

It took me some time to get used to the knee lift but I love it now. It also gives a little added lift to the pressure foot shaft, making it easier to get the walking foot on the machine. I really love that.

I had a knee control machine as a little girl. It was my first sewing machine. It also had long bobbins, not round.

The foot control on my machine has the ability to raise the needle with a press to the back of the pedal. Love that too.

I have tried to get used to the start/stop button but haven't yet. It's funny how we all love to sew but have different likes and needs with these things.

Fun reading this thread.

I THOUGHT THE SAME THING. BUT I THINK ITS USED FOR MACHINE APPLIQUEING. LIFTS UP THE PRESSURE FOOT. AM I RIGHT>>??? :shock:

That's the funny-looking silver thing that comes with most new machines, right??? LOL LOL. I was years before I knew what the heck it was for, I just threw it in a drawer and forgot about it.
During a visit, my mother was helping with with a quilt and rummaging thru some drawers she found it and asked if I ever used it. Sheepishly I told her I didn't know what it was. She explained that I used one when I was growing up.
OK, here's the thing. Mom had a very nice sewing machine in a very nice cabinet. When the machine was set up to sew, there was this comfortable, flat lever that you controlled with you knee to move the machine back and forth. I never associated that with this crappy little piece junk lying in my drawer. We both agreed that it was pathetic and wouldn't be used on my machines. It's still in the drawer LOL

I have a knee control but has never tried it

Wow, I did not realize how special my machine is.
Mine automatically lifts the foot when I stop sewing, thats when Im in needle down mode.
Then automatically goes down when I start to sew.
I love this feature and use it all the time.
When not in needle down mode, I just push a button to raise the foot then it automatically lowers when I start to sew.
I have the Viking Sapphire 830.

Hi Girls, Does anyone know where to get a knee lift for a Brother machene? I went to there site and nothing on their assessories page. Thanks irishd

I just acquired a Bernina 830 in the red case but the knee lift is missing. does anybody have one they would part with?