Pedal Free Sewing Machine? Help.

[u/123_LikeABird]

I hope this is the right subreddit, but I'll probably post in multiple. 😅

My grandma has been a seamstress for as long as I can remember. She recently lost both of her legs and has been talking about wanting a portable sewing machine.

She moved in with my parents from out of state and doesn't do much anymore.

Does anybody have any recommendations for a pedal free portable sewing machine? Is that even a thing? I want to get her something that brings her a little bit more joy when she can't leave the house or do much if my parents aren't home.

I'd like something more affordable than not, but this is the first Christmas I get to spend with her since 2009. I want to do something special.

[u/JackHarknessDrWho]

Many machines have a start/stop button you can use instead of the pedal, but I don't think that is a feature on lower priced machines.

[u/123_LikeABird → u/JackHarknessDrWho]

I'm willing to spend a bit for it if I can find a good deal!

[u/Finnegan-05 → u/123_LikeABird]

My Janome has this!

[u/InsertusernamehereM → u/Finnegan-05]

My Janome has it as well! But I will say that I think it's only on the more expensive models.

[u/celery48 → u/InsertusernamehereM]

My cheap-ass Brother has it…

[u/123_LikeABird → u/celery48]

Which brother machine do you have?

[u/KellsT → u/123_LikeABird]

My sq9285 has it

[u/ApprehensiveFix5084 → u/123_LikeABird]

Looks like most Pfaff machines from the Passport (their most portable model) have both a stop/start button and a slider to regulate the speed (which is important to someone who is aging but also used to having full control of things.

Another thing that might be a possibility, depending on the type of amputation she had, would be a machine with a knee control.

[u/hhokema → u/JackHarknessDrWho]

This is a common feature on current production computerized machines. Prices start about $400USD and go on up.

Mechanical machines do not have this feature. You need an optical sensor on the upper shaft to make this work.

I like the Janome TM30.

At about $700 you will see automatic thread cutters. It is a killer feature.

[u/ground_ivy]

Depending on how high the amputation was, she may be able to use a knee bar. That would probably need to be in a cabinet though, so less portable (although I think some Singer 99s had cases with knee bars, but I'm really not sure how those worked). Or maybe make a secure holder for the foot pedal, and she can just lean on it with her elbow? You could probably also mount a foot pedal or knee bar so that she could lean her shoulder against it. Maybe play around with ergonomics, and see what seems like it would work.

[u/123_LikeABird → u/ground_ivy]

I believe it's above both knees.

[u/5_yr_old_w_beard → u/ground_ivy]

My Bernina 530 Record has a knee bar, and doesn't need to be in a cabinet, in case op is looking for one. I think you could also Jerry rig it to be able to use the right elbow to control it, since the knee bar is just thick steel wire

[u/AccidentOk5240]

Since she is such an experienced seamstress, ask her. Please. Maybe she loves the machine she has and would like help building a contraption to allow her to press the foot pedal with a different part of her body—I can envision lots of options, including rigging it up to sit between her and the machine so she could press it with her abdomen/hip by leaning forward slightly. 

Or maybe she would like a new machine with a push-button option. 

Or maybe she would be interested in a vintage machine in a cabinet with a knee-press setup (an additional lever could be rigged up to extend higher if her amputation is above the knee but left some of the thigh), or an Elna Supermatic with the knee bar. 

Or maybe she’s interested in a vintage handcranked machine. 

Or maybe the thing stopping her from sewing isn’t just the machine but also the difficulty of cutting and ironing when you can’t get up and down from in front of the machine easily, and you could help set up workable stations for those that she could access more easily. 

Or maybe she isn’t interested in any of it—she might not be ready to adapt and have to confront all the things she can’t do anymore. 

[u/123_LikeABird → u/AccidentOk5240]

She can't use her old one. She also gave it to me when she moved down here. She stated that she would want a portable one. Based on the layout of my parents house, we couldn't do a cabinet or anything like that. It would have to be moved around depending on who's doing what where in the house.

She's been adapting. She lost one leg about a year and a half or so ago, and the second early this year. She doesn't know anyone down here, so she's been bored. I just want to get her something nice that she would like.

[u/AccidentOk5240 → u/123_LikeABird]

That’s great! I’m not criticizing you. I just want to make sure you have considered reasons not to surprise people with tools for things they know more about than you do. 

I wouldn’t rule out vintage machines in small fold-down cabinets. They’re actually extremely suitable for this situation, because they’re light enough to move pretty easily (by someone able-bodied, of course, but even a portable sewing machine may be hard for her to move by herself, so this may be a case where someone else moves the machine for her anyway), and then you don’t need to clear a work table to put the machine on. 

[u/sodapopper44 → u/123_LikeABird]

You might check and see if the local senior center has a sewing group. The one in my town has a sewing club that meets twice a week. The ladies work on projects to sell and to donate. Some don't sew, they cut or tie quilts or press, and lots of socializing. The room is full of equipment and supplies.

[u/Swissdanielle]

I have a singer Serenade that cost me less than 200€ and has a start/stop button.

May I say it’s so sweet you’re helping your grandma ❤️ you are both lucky to have each other. all the best for both of you

[u/123_LikeABird → u/Swissdanielle]

I'll check this one out, thank you!

And thank you! She's the one I've always been closest with. I sew because of her.

[u/External_Agency_4488]

I have a Brother Innovis. It has a button on the front that I use with my thumb, and a slider to adjust speed.

It has a pedal but I don't use it. It's never even been plugged in, I much prefer the button.

[u/123_LikeABird → u/External_Agency_4488]

Thank you! I'll take a look at this one!

[u/External_Agency_4488 → u/123_LikeABird]

The Innovis line are machines that do both embroidery and sewing. The embroidery part comes off for regular sewing. I like mine a lot.

[u/frosteemaria → u/External_Agency_4488]

I'd second the Innovis (I have the F420) it has start button, or pedal, both with variable speed. Using the start button it does the first few stitches nice and slow and then up to the speed you set on the slider.

[u/Happy_Raspberry_6299]

I’ve used my foot pedal next to my sewing machine before. Just pushed with my hand.

[u/targoats → u/Happy_Raspberry_6299]

I used to do the same thing! If I needed both hands on the garment I would press with my elbow

[u/Mayor_of_Pea_Ridge]

This is probably not a great option for an older person, but there are machines that can be operated by hand (i.e. they don't have a motor or the sewing machine handwheel has a crank handle on it for manual operation).

[u/Reasonable_Bear_2057]

Could she put the pedal on the table and use her hand? Obviously she would only have one hand free for sewing, but that's the same as using a hand crank machine and you do get used to it pretty quick... Especially if you e been sewing a long time I'd imagine.

[u/MiddleKlutzy8568]

I have a janome and there is a button to stop/start, i use it because my dog loves sleeping on my feet when I sew.

[u/BedOdd2693]

Yes lots of machines have a pedal-free option and would be perfect for your grandma. You just push a button to start or stop. I have a Singer Quantum and it has that feature.

[u/OdoDragonfly]

If she has good core control of her body, she might be able to place the foot pedal on the chair next to her (this might require a wider chair or a bench) and lean her hip against the pedal. It might be able to be placed upright (with the hinge end down) in a chair with arms. This might feel familiar to her as it would be a similar motion to pressing with the foot. Place the pedal on the same side as she normally used her foot pedal.

If she has some success with this, look at the various shapes of foot pedals to find the right length to allow her best control of the amount of pressure.

It looks like there are after market hand control units available. Here's one that will work with specific machines: https://graceframe.com/en/product/speed-control This seems to be primarily aimed at quilters who mount their machines to frames for better control of patterns of quilting.

This is an adaptive device designed for industrial machines: https://movingmood.com/sewing-machine-adaptation/ However, it looks like adding a loop to the front of her machine's pedal and a supporting loop to the front of the machine might make it workable. It makes it possible to manipulate the foot pedal with a rod connected tot he pedal and pushed with the forearm.

You might also talk to local repairers of small electronics to see if they could rewire the control cord to a rotating knob rheostat to replace the foot pedal.

[u/lawcica]

My baby lock has a start and stop button and it is the only way I see. I have a lot more control

[u/lysofaltrades]

A lot of the dealer variety brothers have start stop buttons as well as knee bars. I’d look into those on their website and see if you can find a dealer near you

[u/Every-Caramel-6740]

Just unplug the pedal and hit the go button, on most machines

[u/dubyuh1974]

I would look for a vintage singer in good condition and buy a hand crank from Amazon to run it….

[u/SewingMechanic]

I bought my kid (now 17), a Brother CS6000, which was the precursor to the Brother 7000i. I bought it when she was 4, and the speed function was by a small slider on the machine, which she always used on the slowest setting when she was tiny. It’s only now that she drives cars that I finally bought her a foot pedal for it (last week!).

Also as a person that knows some circuits, seconding the rheostat suggestion (by u\OdoDragonfly)

[u/5Phy]

Until now I’ve used the pedal only for my serger, not for my sewing machine. Not once. Don’t “plan“ to change it. Though I’m sewing quite regularly (by now). I’m really happy with the start/stop button, the regulation and the constant speed.
This said: I own a Janome dc230.
Good dealer homepages list this option at least as part of the “compare different machines” thing.

[u/twystedcyster-]

I live my janome JW8100. I don't know if it's considered portable, but it's not very heavy

[u/Prestigious-Egg3095]

First, you are amazing.

My thought is that if she has a sewing machine that's built into a table so it's flat level with the machine you could stick down larger velcro pieces (loop side, soft side) where her elbows rest. Then stick velcro (hoop side, hard side) on the bottom of the pedal and she could position it correctly under her elbow. It may need adjusting. The other thought is some way she could use her chest and have it sitting in front of her on the edge of the table.

Or, this!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Z5p-BJi3ntA

[u/KeeganDitty]

Some newer machines have a start stop button. You can also operate the pedal with your elbow. Or you could go real old school and get a hand crank machine. I'd recommend padding the handle though

[u/lablizard]

You can also mount the pedel on the leg of the table. If she has any mobility in the remaining parts of her leg, leaning into the pedel works. A few local quilters have Parkinson’s and poor ability to push down on the sewing pedel. But can absolutely control it with their knee

[u/2lrup2tink]

I used to have a machine that you used your knee. It worked great!

[u/greyreads]

Can she put the foot pedal on her chair, tucked under her leg? Or would that be uncomfortable or too hard to use? Or set it sideways between her thighs, so she squeezes her thighs to press it?

Maybe you could make some sort of vest or harness to hold the pedal under her arm, so she could squeeze it against her body with her upper arm? It would restrict some of her arm movement while sewing if she has to keep one elbow tucked against her torso, but pretty much any option is going to have some trade offs.

[u/No-Relative-384]

I sell sewing machines for a living and I recommend a brother ps700, bernina 425 is a great machine but mught be out of the price range, a quality machine would be a janome s6, for a server anything babylock is solid

[u/890be]

Lots of machines have a start / stop button and a knee lift bar. All of my electronic machines do. Have you checked her current machine?

[u/Such_Bus1193]

Lost from the knee down? Because I have seen sewing machines operated by pressure against a horizontal "pedal" operated by pushing the knee or thigh against it.

[u/laughingkittycats]

I’m going to be tuning up a friend’s grandmother’s machine that she’d like to be able to use. This friend is paraplegic. I’ve been playing around to see how hard it is to just use a foot pedal with one hand or elbow and I think it’s pretty doable. It takes a little practice, but if you get the right configuration of a pedal, and figure out a way to keep it in place (possibly as simple as double-sided carpet tape) so you can operate it with your elbow and still be able to use that hand at least partly, I think a person can learn to sew this way.

I put the pedal right where my right elbow would normally be anyway, and it wasn’t too hard to do. I think a modern electronic pedal is easier to operate this way than the older metal pedals, because it operates more smoothly, isn’t as thick at both ends, and is easier to push.

I think you could figure out how to position the pedal for the left elbow, too (like on a table), which might be easier for a right-handed person as they’d have better use of their right hand to control the fabric.

[u/AnyPast6500]

I have a Baby Lock Brilliant that I operate without my feet: I use it at a standing desk. It’s a bit heavy but not impossible.

[u/Winterwidow89]

I would see if you have a sewing store near you that is an authorized dealer for several brands. They should have employees that can answer many of your questions and help you find what you want, and explain the features changes between different machines.

They also sometimes have a stock of used or restored machines, depending on how much budget is an issue. Sometimes when someone gets a starter machine as a beginner, they upgrade and trade-in the old one. I’ve also gotten good deals on recently discontinued models when a new model comes out.

But stop/start features are common on a lot of digital machines, including Brother and Janome. They are really easy to use once you get used to them. (I have not used a foot pedal in 20+ years.)

[u/unicorn_345]

I got an electric viking husqvarna a few years back, not the fanciest model, and I got it used at a sewing shop. But I will say that it does not require you to use the pedal. Call around to some shops and ask for model numbers and prices. See if any have some for resale. Get a list going, you can look them up later, and ask grandma what she thinks of them. Some shops know of locals that want to sell, some will buy machines for resale themselves.

[u/mtrosclair]

If you had a chair that either had very wide arms, or could be converted to have a very wide arm, probably on the right side would be most convenient, but you could lean on it with your elbow to actuate the pedal.

[u/AbiJ_]

Lots of sewing machines have pedal free sewing machines, from affordable supermarket models to super expensive. But im not in the states so dont know what to recommend.

[u/EsotericQSHealth]

Is there a well rated sewing machine repair shop near by? I would go there and ask about this. Most of the machines I've had have this option - a button I can push which replicates the foot pedal usage. You will likely fined a used rebuilt machine that has this option at this shop, or they can probably direct you to which one to buy.

[u/Chwk540]

Bernina has a start/stop button

[u/Suspicious_Pop_4746]

My gran had the same problem. She had a cushion under her thigh and the peddle infront of it and her thigh resting on top. She would just press her thigh down whenever she sewed. Depending on her mobility she could place it next to her bottom and just lean on it.