Sewing machine foot pedal query
 

Good Afternoon,

Can anyone advise if the foot pedals that come with sewing machines are a standard thing or is it a case of you get what you pay for?

My machine is a Toyota RS2000 and this is a lower range machine aimed at the beginner/infrequent sewer. The problem I have is the pedal is a two speed affair - stop or go like the clappers!

I'm not experienced enough to be able to whizz stuff through and frequently get in a mess as the fabric goes through too quickly. Can I get a new pedal that will be more sensitive or do I simply have to live with it and learn how to handle it?

Many thanks
Tamzyn x

I'm guessing that for the basic machines, the feet are generic, but the machine end of the cords are of course machine specific...but this is not something I'd mess with myself. Check with a local repair show or even an on-line source - to make sure before you try another one. It may simply be that you could spray the foot hinge with liquid graphite to help it move more smoothly.

I'm assuming your machine does not have variable speeds? This may seem like a dumb question, but still worth asking.

Unless your machine has variable speed control (a knob or lever on the machine itself)you will have to learn to control the pressure of your foot on the pedal--just like a novice driver and a fast car. Every time I have to use my back-up machine, I have to relearn speed control and

No variable speeds :(
sometimes I can get the pedal just right and its a nice slow speed but most of the time I am scrambling to keep up

It may be that the foot pedal just needs a good cleaning/lubricating....if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, take it to a repair shop.

Ahh, understood!
The machine I have is a basic model, so if I can prove to my husband that I "need" a better one I know what to have on the wish list now :)

Thankyou x

Its your foot, some sew bare foot it helps them gauge by feel, gradually push down.

This is how I sew also.

I just can't stand not feeling like I can control the speed of my machines.


Get some UGLY scrap (medium/large size) and draw some straight, zigzag,
and wavy lines on the fabric and practice foot pedal control. This is what I am
going to do when I start working with teaching my daughter how to sew with
in the next few weeks (she is 31 and FINALLY wanting to learn to sew & quit).

Good luck and hope you find the "happy" foot control speed.

I put a little block of wood under the part you put your foot on, so it only goes down so far. Really slowed down the speed. The machine I use most has a knee control, which I really like, so it's hard to "get used" to the foot control when I need to use that machine. Maybe this would work for you.