Knee lifter
 

Im just learning about the knee lifter and wonder if anyone have this and if they like them? Is this only with certain machines or can you buy it and attach to any machine? Seems interesting?

I believe your talking about the raising the presser foot using a knee lift attachment. I have it on both the Bernina and the Baby Lock. I imagine other machines have it by now. Years ago I saw a universal attachment that would fit any machine. I don't know if they still make them. maybe it was in Clotilde catalog.
Do I like it. Absolutely. It is especially nice when machine quilting. There are new machines also available that do it automatically with some sensor I guess. Just place the fabric under the foot and they lower to sew. I don't know that I would like that - at first anyway. I know I don't like that I gave up control of the needle when I opted for the needle stopping in the down position. That is a must-have feature for machine quilters too, if you ask me.

I love love love it! I just got a new machine with one and have been using it for making my kids' clothes and diapers. I haven't done much quilting with it yet but I am sure I'll love it.

I have one on my Janome and use it every time I do SID quilting. It's so nice to keep your hands on the fabric and be able to lift the pressure foot so the fabric can be turned. Not a feature I use daily, but when I use it, I find it quite handy.

Years ago the Singers (and probably some of the others as well) had the knee thing that would stop and start the machine, like the foot pedal. Mom's 66 Singer had that and I grew up using it. Haven't used one that worked the presser foot!

Bernina has had the knee lift for years. I think it is a standard feature on their machines. I have used one for 25 years and lost when I don't have it attached. I am just starting to do applique and it is a must for all of the turning. When I bought my first Bernina, it was one of the selling points for me.

They usually come with the machine, usually on higher end models. Its not something you can purchase.

I have the knee-lift on 2 of my machines. It is really nice , but takes a little getting used to. My new Babylock Ellisimo has the auto lift function and I really love it!

I had a Singer with that feature and I still catch myself trying to start the machine by pushing on the knee lift that raises the pressed foot? lol

I have one on my Bernina and I love it especially when I FMQ.

There are certain sewing tasks for which the knee lift is helpful. I was making a baby boy shirt for a new great-nephew last night. It had lots of tiny seams with topstitching and edge stitching. Using the knee lift and my #10 and #57 Bernina feet really helped me make a nice little shirt. I also find that I use it more with the walking foot.

I use the one on my Bernina and I LOVE it! It did take me awhile to get used to it but once I did, there was no turning back. I now use my left foot for the pedal and my right for the lift and it is great. I also use the function on the foot pedal to raise the needle up or down as well. It is so great to be able to keep your hands on the piece the entire time if you need to.

My daughter had a Singer with a knee lift for pressed foot. I refused to use it. My sister had an Elna with knee lift. She goated me into trying it. It took some getting use to but when I did I loved it. Don't sew another way now..

I love my knee lift, use it all the time. It is like a third hand to help you sew. I have a small machine that does NOT have the knee lift feature and I find myself ~ trying to use it, but duh it's not there.

When I first started sewing (so many many years ago) my mothers machine was a 'knee pedal', instead of a foot pedal.

I have one on my Viking mega quilter. I do like it; keeps your hands free when you need it.

I also have one on my Janome and just love it. Like anything else, it takes a bit to get used to, but totally natural once you do.

Love love love the knee lift on my Bernina!

LOL, I owned my Brother for 10 years (yes years) before I figured out what that strange shaped thingy was, but now that it's attached to my machine, I love it !!!

I love the knee lift- I have it on my Bernina and Brother machines and now that I am used to it wonder how I got along without it. My Brother machine can be programmed to lift and lower the presser foot automatically but I haven't tried that yet.

Yep, this feature is only for some machines. I have it on my bigger machine but don't use it as my thigh goes numb when I use it. Oh well.

ali

I have one on my viking mega quilter, it is really nice.

I have one for my Babylock, but I just can't get used to using it. They say to use your left foot to work the pedal so you don't get cofused with using your right knee to lift the presser foot. I just can't seem to be able to do it, so I don't use it at all. I just stop and start and raise the presser foot by hand. Simpler.

I tried to find the "Universal" one - what a great idea and it had some good reviews but apparently went out of production. I like that it was foot pedal operated (same as the brake and gas pedal on a car). Apparently it is out of production. :(

I really wish some manufacturer would make a one like it! BTW The Pfaff Exp 4.0 also has one.

That's a really good reason to have one! Wish my Janome did!

Does anyone know how much it costs to install a knee lift on a Bernini. Just bought a used 135pe and want to have it installed. 120 was the price quoted and it seems a bit high.. I've never used that feature but I think I want:)

I have one but don't use it. For some reason I can't seem to grasp the left-footed pedal control. I always use my right foot and bump the knee lift at the same time. Not good!

Gosh, have been doing it wrong all this time??? I use the knee lift on my Bernina 640 and use the right foot to give it the gas as well. I didn't know I should train my left foot for something! Oh well, it works for me so I'll keep on sewing.

And I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who's leg goes numb! It's the strangest thing.

I had one installed in a previous Bernina and that is about what it cost me. I eventually traded that machine but made sure to get one that had the knee lift. I love it. It allows me to keep my hands on my fabric. Somehow this works better for me. I know some people don't like it. One of my stitching buddies doesn't like it at all. She won't use it.

I am getting used to the left foot on the control while the right leg is for the knee lift but I used the right leg/foot for both for a long time.

Maybe you can try one at your dealer's shop before you invest.

Good luck and enjoy all your stitching.

And that is how I found this thread - I too was looking for the 'universal presser foot lifter' attachment! I remember they were every where a few years ago and now nothing! Rats! I was looking for this attachment to use with my Singer machine, it is the one I take with me to classes and would really like to have that presser foot lifter for it.

I have been sewing on a Viking Designer SE for 3 yrs and it has the all the features the new Pfaff Expression 4.0 has, the auto sensor pivot foot is grand as are all the other goodies! I am going to the nearest Pfaff dealer this Thursday to test drive a few machines, I am thinking of selling my Viking and going back to Pfaff.

I have one that came with my Bernina which I bought in the early 1990s. Tried it, couldn't get used to it and I'd never had trouble nor minded lifting the presser foot manually. By now it's probably eloped with all the other things I can't find in my quilting room.

It took me some time to learn to use the knee lift on my Bernina. I kept trying to use it for sewing. I think I once had a sewing machine that had a lever on the side and you used your knee against it to make the machine sew. Once I finally got over that, I loved the knee lift. It is great for doing machine appliqué and I use the knee lift when I am stitching in the ditch. I use my right leg and right foot. That works for me.

The machine I learned to sew on was a Singer with the knee on/off. I tried using it on my Bernina but I guess It was too ingrained on me as a start other than a presser foot lifter. I may have to try again someday.

I have one with my new Horizon, and am getting used to it. I think I'm going to love, along with the automatic thread cutter. :-)

I'm probably the only one who will say they can't stand it!! For me, it is a coordinating mess.....I cannot coordinate my brain with doing that with my knee. I tried it on my Bernina several times and each time found myself doing the lifting by hand. I just don't have the patience to get used to it, I guess. Mine is hanging in the closet.