Saturday, August 25, 2012

That Darn Foot Pedal!

Does anyone else have a problem with their sewing machine foot pedal traveling?  I've tried everything I can think of....putting a piece of carpet under it, putting that rubber-like shelf liner under it, a specially made plastic holder, and I even tried spraying adhesive on it, but that darn foot pedal won't stay in place.  Don't try the adhesive by the way - it works but it gums up the pedal and you have to take it all apart and clean it to get it to work again.  :)  Surely somebody out there has a solution to this problem...please tell us!

26 comments:

  1. Have you tried sticking self-adhesive Velcro (the rough, scratchy version) to the underside of your foot pedal? I've heard this can help it grip the carpet, though I haven't tried it myself. May be worth a try :-))

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  2. Nope, I just chase it down with my toes when it escapes. Extra exercise? I'll be watching to see what suggestions you get.

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  3. My table is against a wall and I have a wooden box on the floor behind the pedal, so it can't keep moving back any further than the box. Works well.

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  4. Olá,uso um pedaço de tapete de carro cheio de quadradinhos e o pedal fica quieto,mas o meu é diferente do seu.Vale a pena tentar....Beijos.

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  5. I've kept pieces of two by fours behind my electric foot control. I was thinking sticking the stiff side of velcro on the bottom would help--and I see someone else has suggested that too. (Now I use the treadles, so I'm not having those problems.)

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  6. I actually use my pedal sideways and my SIL likes to use it backwards to prevent slipping. I know, weird, but it does work for us. And we both must sew barefoot!

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  7. And mine is on hardwood flooring, so it is always sliding away from me. If you come up with a cure, be sure to let me know!

    Blessings....

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  8. No suggestions, but I do have the same problem. I'm surprised the sewing machine companies haven't come up with a better solution.

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  9. Kristi is right on this one! The companies should be making their product easier to use. I would write them and suggest it. I did like those treadle machines I once used for that reason and also because I could control each move of the needle.

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  10. No ideas here but if I come up with one, I'll let you know. I just chase mine when it wanders.

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  11. Mine is boxed in, too, so it doesn't have anywhere to go! I have had my machine sitting in a spot that *did* allow the pedal to travel. It's really funny when you realize your foot is tapping all over the place trying to find it! :)

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  12. Get the clear stick-on rubber bumpers that go on the back of picture frames to protect your wall.

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  13. Yes,I sure do have that problem and the only way I could think of to help without a lot of trouble, was to just take off my shoes and use my bare foot. :) Works much better.

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  14. I've used my bare foot too and haven't had any problems of wandering foot pedal.

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  15. That is one reason I don't use mine any more. I use my button to start and stop my machine. I saw a lot of posts on Pinterest last night with StitchingByTheLake as the poster or originator. Would that be you?

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  16. Mine's on carpet, but it still likes to wander. I also have a file box on the floor behind mine, and that helps keep it in place.

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  17. Same here...I just keep stuff behind it to keep it from running away.

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  18. I feel your pain, I've tried those rubber mats, carpet, etc. Mine is on hardwood so it really slides.
    One thing I did notice recently, you can adjust the cord where it doesn't come out as far and therefore, can't walk too far.

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  19. I was going to say Velcro but someone beat me to it.

    Hubby was having trouble with his tv remote sliding off his chair arm where it MUST remain at all times. He solved the problem with velcro.

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  20. I keep saying that I'm going to cut up my yoga mat to put under there, but I use my mat. I suppose I should just spring for a new mat.

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  21. I bought a Pedal-Sta II pad and haven't had a problem since. It has a big soft velco square on the plastic base and you put a strip of rough velcro on your pedal and stick it together. Love it. I am sorry that I can't remember where I purchased it. Hope that gives you a starting point or an idea to create your own.

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  22. I have the same problem with my foot pedal. I had something against the back of my cabinet for a while and that worked well. The pedal could not travel any farther than the box. Barefoot is a good idea also. I used to sew barefoot when I sewed in the dining room, but my pedal was bigger and heavier with that machine. Now all the pedals are smaller and much lighter weight.

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  23. I have my pedal on a little wooden foot rest. It is slanted slightly with a lip at the front so the pedal doesn't fall off forward. I have a mouse pad on the foot rest with the foot pedal on top of the mouse pad. I don't have to chase my foot pedal forward, but it does sometimes move a bit to the side.

    If you have someone who works with wood it would be simple enough to make one. I like mine because I am 5' 3" and it feels more comfortable for my foot to be a bit off the floor. Tends to be a bit ergonomically correct?

    I tried sticky Velcro once and it worked for a while but then all the dust adn threads would stick on the sticky stuff, because the Velcro would shift a bit and it really gums up the underside of your foot pedal too.

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  24. I thought I was the only one with this problem. I`m going to try barefoot sewing. I`m a little over 5'2 and constantly sliding off my chair chasing that pedal! I like patchouli moon`s idea too and will have hubby build me a foot rest.

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  25. I used one of the no skid shelf liners. The arerubberizrd

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  26. i got this idea from one another quilter and it works great. If your pedal is on carpet, glue a piece of sandpaper to the bottom. The sandpaper will grip the carpet and no more chasing. Hope this helps.
    cindi

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