PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,247 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,247 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
123 
Member since 8/28/10
Posts: 256
Send Message
6 Replies
Posted on: 2/18/20 9:18 AM ET
I'd love to use my knee control bar for lifting the pressor foot on my Bernina but I just cannot get the hang of using it smoothly. I often read that people love that thing. I keep my right foot on the foot control and my right knee against the control bar, but to actually use the lift mechanism I have to take my foot off the pedal. That is awkward enough to prevent me using the knee lift. Any advice on how to do this better? THANK YOU!
  
Member since 8/20/17
Posts: 463
Send Message
thumbsup 6 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 9:28 AM ET
In reply to Moose Sky
I work the pedal with my left foot and the knee lift with my right foot.
  
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 18027
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 7 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 9:41 AM ET
In reply to Moose Sky
Taking your foot off the pedal when using the knee bar can be a good thing, because there is no accidental running of the machine while the presser foot is disengaged.

The only other thing I can think of is perhaps your machine table sits too high, requiring your foot to come off the pedal in order to reach the knee bar? Or your machine sits too far right for you to reach the knee bar comfortably? (I'm just throwing ideas out ...)
------
iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 3/5/12
Posts: 1355
Send Message
thumbsup 5 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 10:25 AM ET
I also "drive" with my left foot and use my right leg for the knee lift only. This position is also better for good posture -- it allows me to sit upright/more ergonomically. Initially, it took me a couple of hours (at most) to learn to use my left foot on the pedal, but quickly felt so much better in my body once I started doing that. Try it and see what you notice!
  
Member since 5/25/11
Posts: 417
Send Message
thumbsup 3 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 10:33 AM ET
In reply to Moose Sky
One suggestion given to me was to attach a short piece of a pool noodle to the knee lift. I haven’t tried it. The idea was that I wouldn’t have to lift my knee and swing my leg so far out, which was irritating the old football injury (sure) in my hip. I’ve never got used to using the knee lift, but I’m not sure what I’ve missed it. Now you have inspired me to make a focused effort to try.

Good luck!
Marty S
  
Member since 11/28/13
Posts: 8897
Send Message
1 Replies
thumbsup 4 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 10:50 AM ET
I've only used a knee lift with an industrial, but I take my foot off the pedal.
  
Member since 7/31/17
Posts: 736
Send Message
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 2/18/20 6:56 PM ET
In reply to Moose Sky
Perhaps a silly question but is the knee lift pushed all the way in? I do know that Bernina makes different versions of the knee lift. I didn't like the one that came with my 770 as it is a different shape to the one that I had been using on earlier machines. I use one of the ones from an earlier machine and all is well. I am addicted to the lift and if I am sewing on a machine that doesn't have one my knee constantly twitches to the right trying to lift the presser foot!
  
Member since 8/28/14
Posts: 1752
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 7 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 7:28 PM ET
In reply to Moose Sky
I'm not quite 5'2" and the shortest part of me is my legs. I had trouble reaching the kneelifter on my Bernina so my husband took it out in the garage, put it on a vise, and bent the angle wider so that it reaches lower. No more problems!!
------
CeCeC in Cedar Park, TX

Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000, Brother 1034D, Brother PC420PRW, Bernina Artista 640E (up for sale!), and my grandmother's beautiful Singer treadle
  
Member since 6/16/06
Posts: 1286
Send Message
thumbsup 5 likes
Posted on: 2/18/20 8:25 PM ET
I can’t imagine sewing without knee lift. I think of the motion like driving a stick...don’t want the gas and the brake at the same time.
I encourage you to keep trying, it is sometimes super helpful to be able to use both hands.
------
Too much fabric to count...
  
Member since 3/8/11
Posts: 2598
Send Message
thumbsup 5 likes
Posted on: 2/19/20 0:23 AM ET
I don't have any tips, but I look for it when I use my other swing machines!
------
Diane L Wilson
Palmer/ Pletsch Certified Sewing Instructor
Follow me on Instagram & Twitter @sewfrantic
Business IG @stitchplease_cs Custom Fit Shirts
  
123 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics