This is so incredibly helpful! I'm disabled and have been trying to figure out some sort of knee or leg control for my machine for a while. I have a knee lift on all of my machines and it is useful for some complex projects, but I'd rather use my knee to work the pedal. When I really have a difficulty sitting with my feet on the ground and don't want to give in I tend to just put the pedal under my knee and sit cross legged, but the downside is that we don't have the fine motor control and I have to significant reduce my speed. I can't work on anything complex with this method either. Also the foot pedal tends to slip and that's no fun. I appreciate your video, now I have something to show my repair guy and we can get started on outfitting my sewing tables to fully accommodate my disability!
I LOVE my Bernina knee lift. However at one point my mother, a non sewer, had her vintage Singer put in a cabinet (discarding the domed carrying cast) and converted to knee operation. In her case, the technician took the carry case and the original foot, which was replaced with a knee controller. I feel the knee control was never as easy to moderate speed as the foot control was. I was the sewer in the family, gut she did not consult with me on any of these decisions. When I got my first bernina, decades later, I struggled with the knee lift, since I would try to use it to start sewing. I solved that problem by using my left foot for the foot pedal and my right knee to lift. It way seem hard for some, but since I learned to drive a manual transmission car, I knew how to use two legs to drive. :-)
You should not apologize for the ignorance of others. You explain perfectly and some really newbs might have confusion but that is not for you to apologize for.
About the knee motor controllers - "I don't know why anybody would want that". I personally love them. On a domestic machine the pedal often does not stay put on the floor, and I hate having to hunt for it with my foot while I'm sewing. I also find myself adjusting and re-adjusting the pedal position and angle all the time. Pressing on the pedal with my foot for a prolonged period of time, I can feel muscle fatigue quite soon. The knee controller, on the other hand, is fixed in one position on the cabinet, and I get a lot more precision and a lot less fatigue using it. You come from an industrial sewing machine background, and those have huge pedal platforms that are fixed to the cabinet and always stay in one spot. Also, you can press on them with your entire foot, so they are probably a lot less tiring. That does not compare very well to the foot controllers that come with domestic machines, IMO.
Hi, Good info, thanks! When I say "I don't know why anybody would want that," I mean that sincerely: I don't know what purported benefits there are (you point out several good ones) or whether it's a better system or not. For the record, I started on and continue to use domestic machines, and only got into industrials within the last few years. And I have definitely said bad words trying to find where that stupid little pedal got off to lol. I'll have to try the knee lever sometime to see how it works. I doubt it will be my preference, given that I'm now so accustomed to a knee-lift, but I enjoy trying new things. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@@thejasonofalltrades I am actually going to convert my machine to use a knee actuated pedal because I have a disability that makes my foot unreliable for consistent pressure on a floor pedal. So that’s my ‘why would anybody’ benefit example. 👍
Thanks. No confusion here. I discovered that my industrial machine has provisions for a knee lift and I made one for it. I was happy to find that I was able to lift the foot higher using the knee lift than what the lever on the back would lift.
When I made the switch from using a domestic to using industrial machines the knee lift was the biggest game-changer for me. I don't know how I ever sewed without it.
Thanks Alexander! Yeah, one of my favorite shirts for sure :) Now that I think about it, with the right foot operating the power, the right knee operating the presser foot lift, and both hands involved with the fabric, there really should be something useful the left foot could be doing. I think I'm going to install a hi-hat on my sewing table 😂
@jasonofalltrades I have been glued to your channel for a while now & I would say i have learnt a lot & I am still learning. I am so in love with sewing machines & this made me learn how to sew & I am loving it. I love the fact that you post old machines too, they are pretty. If you have machines you are no longer using and still in a very good shape. Please i will love to get it, if the price will be on a low.
I grew up using the knee lever for the power. It was quite confusing to try and operate the knee lift on my Bernina 730. Finally figured it out but it took a while!
Yeah, I bet I would be just as confused trying to use the knee lever for power lol. I see a humorous video in my future :) Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm in some sewing groups and we usually differ between "knee lift" (for lifting the pressure foot) and "knee control" (motor control by knee lever instead of the pedal). I'm used to use the knee lift since I'm sewing. My 2 most used sewing machines (Bernina KL-117 and 217-industrial) both have the knee lever and I absolutely adore this function. It's unfamiliar for me operating a machine that hasn't that function - and using a machine with knee control (eg. the ELNA "Grasshopper") is very strange. Imagine someone changes break and throttle pedals in Your car. That's how a knee controlled machine feels to me. P.s. Bernina has named the knee lift function "FHS" = Frei-Hand-System = hands-free-system.
I often wonder about the origins of that "FHS" function. The oldest machine I know that offers the knee lifter function is the Bernina Class 117. This brilliant machine was made between 1938 and 1945, most of them are treadle machines. I know that many industrial machines have that function (eg. Dürrkopp), but in portable / domestic machines I only know Bernina for offering that function.
You didn't use any confusing language Jason, truly! Interesting though, I bought a brother modern machine with a knee lift only to find it actuates electronically, I've got used to it now but at first I wasn't happy. I prefer the bernina style mechanical knee lift. Thanks for another interesting video.
Thanks Colin! Electronically lifted? Interesting! One of these I need to go have a closer look at some higher-end modern machines, just for fun. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for this video! I just purchased a Singer 1200! I’ve been searching for one since you posted this video. Looking forward to using it after I clean it up!
About 10 years ago, my wife got the quilting bug bad, and she bought a fairly expensive Husqvarna/Viking quilting machine (875, maybe?). It was never a great machine for her, and sort of turned me away from the higher-end domestic machines (as did my overdeveloped sense of masculinity and my great hesitance to spend large quantities of money). So I never looked closely enough at any of those options since. I have to say, I've probably missed out a little, although my needs still mostly point me toward industrials and vintage domestics. This Bernina has definitely opened my eyes to the fact that my "1970 and prior" criterion for sewing machines to be worthwhile needs some rethinking! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have one of my 15-91's in a Singer table and utilize the knee control of the foot pedal, works really well and I enjoy using it. As for the 1200, I search my local CL each and every day with the hope of finding one.🙏 Good stuff as usual Jason.👍
I really should try one (I think I haver a couple of tables with them), I might end up liking it! Although I imagine the brain pathways connecting "push knee sideways" to "raise presser foot" are so worn in, I'd probably be really confused. Might make a funny video lol!
At the school where my mother worked in the 80:s they experimented with high tables, "bar stool" height chairs and knee throttles for ergonomic reasons, however I think that the knee throttles themselves was more of a practical consequence than an ergonomic choice in that setup. I don't really like knee levers myself, I much prefer my industrial table that came with two pedals, one large for foot throttle and one small for foot foot lift. However, a knee foot lift, although in my opinion inferior to a foot foot lift, is still way better than only the hand foot lift! But to each his own... Also I thought the original video was crystal clear on the subject!
Thanks! I've never used a machine with the separate pedal for the foot lift (there was one in my last sewing job, but I never sat at it). At home, I often have my machines on my drafting table and stand to sew. I probably wouldn't want to do it all day long, but for casual, fun sewing it works pretty well. It would be interesting to see how a barstool-height arrangement might work. Thanks for watching and commenting!
My singer treadle tailoring machine has the same setup . I still haven’t restored it yet there is one like it on Facebook that doesn’t need restored but my upcoming eye surgery is a bigger priority at this time.
To make it even more confusing - a few of the earlier Bernina models - the early 500s and 200s could come either with a knee lift or a knee actuator. Went into the same hole, depending on how it was ordered from the factory.
Agree with you, for some reason it does get confusing to some people with the difference esp with the older vintage cabinets 'knee' level running the motor instead of the modern machines knee lift activating the presser foot. I also have a 1200, and a few 201's lol, love my machines :D My 1200 sits in my living room for those days when I want to sew while watching tv, they are so quiet my husband can hear the TV over my sewing and i don't get grumbled at :D Not sure I realized how rare the 1200 was until after I got mine and realized I really didn't see them around much at all.
Had a Nelco R-350 that had a knee control but it was an actual switch not a bracket for the foot pedal. I eventually got sorta used to it but it's definitely not as precise as just using the foot pedal.
Interesting! Yeah, after posting I realized I may have made it sound as if the pedal bracket thing is the only way to skin that cat, which it certainly isn't. Having never tried one, I don't have a real opinion, but precision is exactly the thing that came to mind that seemed like it would be a challenge. Maybe once one gets used to it .... Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@thejasonofalltrades The precision of the knee control depends on which brand of machine it is. For example the old elna supermatics have excellent precision, but if you have heavy thighs like me, it forces you to sit too far to the left of the machine to avoid pressing on it accidentally. I haven't used the type that are built into the foot pedal since high school, and I remember it being hard to control and tiring.
Hi, Your terminology is fine i.e. 'knee lifter or lift' lifts and lowers the presser foot, and the 'knee control' activates the motor so you start sewing. B:)
I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to come across another Fire Breathing Unicorn/Singer 1200. I couldn't just walk away and leave it homeless and as you said I knew exactly what to do with it. Give them money and take it home. The knee lift makes all the difference to me. I may have a few other machines a 401 or more, a Rocketeer, some 201s including a 201k and others that don't get used much because I would rather use the knee lift. Hi my name is OTB and I have a sewing machine problem.....
So far I've seen three (one was almost certainly a parts machine). I'm surprised at the number I've seen or heard about from other folks! Congrats (or condolences) on finding another one!
Interestingly the first one is a 1937 machine. However when looking up the serial number is says it is a 201. I read somewhere that at first Singer would just pull a few 201s off the line and make them into what we now know as the 1200. The second one has a small plate on the front that says 1200 as well as by looking up the serial number but it is a much younger machine.
@@scratchnbell the 1200 has a modified casting for the main body with the openings, lugs, and mounts for the knee lift system already in widespread use on machines like my 15k30. So not so much taking them off the assembly line and making a 1200 from and existing 201, although besides the casting the same in all other respects. With out the 1200 badge and a 201 serial number yours would be likely a prototype, a unicorn of unicorns 😄
Knee controller (as opposed to Foot controller) vs. Knee (presser foot) lifter. Auxiliary knee lifters were indeed - and still are - a rare feature on domestic sewing machines. None of the domestic Elnas, Husqvarnas, Pfaffs, Necchis, Janomes or Singers of yesteryear (when these machines were manufactured by the original companies) had this feature so far as I am aware. Some of the later TOL domestic Berninas like the 930 Jason discusses - and their semi-industrial versions like the 940/950 - had them. By contrast, I believe they have long been a standard feature on industrial machines
My industrials all have knee lifts but my 201 is my go-to for anything lighter. I was hoping this would show me how to add one. I’m a hobby fabricator with machining/welding tools and abilities but don’t really want to drill into the 201 base or back to add a mechanism. Also, remembering now that a lift also releases the top thread tensioner and that would be another couple holes and more fab. Sorry but you made think out loud... actually, by typing.
I've wondered about the feasibility of duplicating the knee-lift mechanism for the 1200 to retrofit to a 201, but it would definitely involve drilling holes and permanently modifying the machine. Mine are all pretty ratty anyway, so it wouldn't be a great loss to society. Someone recently turned me onto a knee-lift mod using a bicycle brake cable to actuate the presser foot bar on a Sailrite Ultrafeed. It's not simple, but I think could be done without permanent modification to the machine. At the moment, I think it's more effort than it's worth to me, but it might be an option. Here's a forum link, I'm not sure if this is the most detailed but you'll get the idea - forum.sailrite.com/make-a-kneelifter-for-presser-foot_topic3127.html
I use the knee bar to operate my grandmother's 66-16 Singer. I don't really know how to get the foot pedal out. I had less than favorable experiences in home ec class. Probably touchy pedals.
I just fixed up a 15-125 and I got it for 25 bucks at the thrift store! Score I am in love now I want to have the 201 but I don’t have the room I think there almost the same but I know it’s probably not these old machines are so addicting it’s like Pokémon cards you want to collect them all lol 😂
I can’t imagine doing much without the knee lift at this point, i have two other wonderful machines, a 115 and a 221, but when I use them it’s a fairly entertaining display of complete lack of coordination 🤣 It’s a shame the 1200 is so rare, I’ve been told the intent for the design was to be the next step from the class of machine I currently have, the 31k15, but singer at the time was getting far enough behind in innovations like zigzag and decorative stitches other companies filled the gap with more features at a lower price point, although arguably in many ways the 1200 overall was still a much higher quality machine. My manuals specifically refer to it as “knee lift”, fwiw.
Good day . thanks for the lesson. Sorry for the mistakes if there are any, I translate by Google translator. please tell me, I cannot create a zigzag stitch on the Zinger 20u33, the loop is made only on the left side, the thread is not captured on the right side, and as a result I get a straight stitch, I have been suffering for a week now, I bought a machine through second hands thanks in advance
Pretty sure the confusion stemmed from your written post mentioning your machine didn't have a foot pedal but had a knee lift phrased in such a way that to many of us it sounded as though the knee lift was another option. Hence those of us aware of the vintage knee lever for power picked up on that. That's all. Fortunately there are a lot of Berninas with knee lifts. 😁 The top Bernina models (classified as 30s in their series) going back 50 years + all seem to have had knee lifts way before my 1130s and 1530.
i have the 201 that looks like your 1200 propa nice machine ive seen them knee lift on 206s an 306ks im sure you could drill a hole in the base an add one if you really wanted to a standerd 201 206 306 etc were can i get the knee lever that goes under the table so i can use my 206k with the knee lift
New subscriber here, and already you channel is so helpful! Thank you! Your videos on Singer 1200s have intrigued me and then, today, I came across one! It’s a hike to get to, but no good pics of the back. Do the knee lifter parts on the 1200 look transferable to a 201-3 that is being treadled? I guess the question is, can I modify the 1200 to treadle or can I make the 201-3 basically a 1200? Either way, I know holes must be drilled, eek! I’m inclined to get it, but knowing this would be very helpful. I have an old German straight leg Singer artisan treadle with knee lifter that came with a 206 that amazingly, uses a standard 15 needle. But to treadle a 201 with a knee lifter capability would be the best of all worlds.
Hi, and welcome! So, by my eye, a 1200 is a 201-2 head with a hole drilled through the bed (for the knee-lift linkage bar to pass through), and a hole drilled and tapped for a screw in the back of the arm (for the knee-lift linkage pivot point). A careful person with a drill and a tap could probably convert a 201 to a 1200 (there may be some small internal parts I'm not thinking of, but I don't think they would be deal-breakers). I believe the 201-3 is belt driven, as opposed to the direct-drive of the 201-2 and 1200. To treadle the 1200 (or 201-2) you would have to change the hand wheel to one with a belt groove, I believe. I don't have any treadle experience so I don't know if anything else would need to change. I don't know much about the 201-3, it sounds like they are not very common, and of course the 1200 is fairly rare. Maybe find a 201-2 head to convert to treadle and drill and tape for the knee lift?
I have a number of Singer sewing machines which are knee operated, I also have sewing machines with foot control and a Consew with foot control and a knee lift. I have to occasionally remind myself which machine/control I am using as I sometimes try to use the knee lift to control the speed of the sewing :-). I wonder if you have this conundrum?
The biggest problem I've had was when I worked at a shop that had pneumatic foot-lifts activated by heeling back on the pedal. If I sewed on my machine at home a lot over the weekend, on Monday I'd be swiping for the knee lift that wasn't there all morning, and by the weekend I'd heel back on my machine at home with no results 😂
I just purchased a singer 66 and it has a knee bar to sew. The problem I am having is that it won't sew when the head is up, when I push on the knee lift there is alot of resistance. It will only sew if the machine head is pushed up. This is my first vintage machine in thinking maybe one of the cords is loose or compressed . Do you happen to have any idea on where we should start to fix the problem
Hi! I don't have any experience with that particular machine, and I haven't used a knee-lever for sewing, so I am just guessing here. First, if you have ANY doubt about the integrity of the wiring, DO NOT plug the machine in or use it until the wiring is known to be safe. Old metal machines can have bad wiring insulation and can shock or even electrocute you, so don't take any chances. I would recommend finding a qualified sewing machine repair shop and have them look at it. That said, with the machine unplugged, I would look at the wiring going from the controller (foot pedal) to the machine, particularly anywhere it passes through an opening in the table or the machine. I believe most (maybe all) knee levers just push the button on a standard foot pedal that is mounted inside the cabinet, if you look from underneath you should see it where the knee lever is mounted. If the wires are being pinched anywhere, you should be able to see it. Again, ANY compromise in the integrity of the wiring (insulation damaged or missing, broken wire, etc) should be checked by a qualified repair person. I hope that helps! These are simple machines, so it's probably a relatively easy fix. Good luck!
Hello. I bought a treadle cabinet but instead of a treadle wheel there is a motor and a metal rod. How does this work. It did not come with the machine. Can it be used with any other machine. Thank you LaVonne
Hi! This is a bit difficult to answer without seeing a photo; it sounds like you might be describing an industrial table and motor? The "pedal" of industrials, especially older ones, is very similar to the treadle pedal of treadle machines. On the 1200 in this video, the motor is still mounted to the machine as normal, but the "treadle pedal" is attached by linkage to what essentially is the electrical components that would be found in a standard household pedal. Stepping on the treadle pedal activates those electrical components to run the motor. If there is a large electric motor bolted to the underside of the table, you have an industrial table and motor. Theoretically these can be connected by a belt to a non-industrial machine (the machine may not be the right size for the opening in the table, though), but connecting a powerful industrial motor to a domestic machine may cause damage to your machine. If you are able to send pictures of what you have, feel free to email me at the jason of all trades @ gmail . com (remove the spaces) and I might be able to provide better information. Good luck!
I grew up sewing with a knee lever rather than a pedal, and could control it just fine, even from the age of 7. Not sure I'd have been able to reach a pedal on the floor. Never had a kneelift, I guess it could be handy, but seems extraneous to me.
I imagine a knee lever would be fine to use once one was used to it, I've just never known what the perceived benefit was over a foot pedal (to the best of my knowledge, electric machines started as foot-pedal-operated and the knee lever came later). I think it would be a challenge for me to adapt to using a knee lever instead of a pedal at this point, but honestly I've never tried :) For a home sewist, a knee lift isn't necessary, but there are definitely times it can be very helpful, such as manipulating a large piece into position under the foot. Having both hands available to move and hold the piece in position and being able to raise/lower the foot with your leg is very handy, at least. For more serious/production sewing, it can add greatly to efficiency. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi! It's always possible that there is an exception that I don't know about, but in my experience, all machines equipped with a knee-lift for the presser foot also have a hand-operated lever like all other sewing machines. The mechanism for the knee lever acts on the needle bar in the same way, but is an additional method, not replacing the hand lever. So, no, you do not have to use the knee lever. And for clarity, I guess I should mention that if you want the presser foot to STAY in the upright position, you would need the hand lever for that; the knee lever only holds the foot up while you are applying pressure to it, when you release it the foot goes back down. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
@@thejasonofalltrades it does lift up there is a lever at the back of the machine but it doesnt lift up the foot as high as the knee lift does maybe its broke or sumit i dont no it is missing a clip tho that connects the knee lift bar to the pressor bar mayb that why it looks like your 1200 but it has the zig zag same machine as in this video 206 ruclips.net/video/1c8hYJCbw2o/видео.html&lc=Ugw_msPyw0AzVcdtUl94AaABAg.A2WD-bZmZu1A2X0qz6NBzm seem to have a 95k needle bar for dbx needles an even the same decals as a singer 95k
@@rndea100 I can't remember on the 201/1200 specifically, but the part the lever interacts with might be able to be adjusted, and if so it might be positioned incorrectly. If it is not adjustable, parts may be worn, or as you point out, missing. If you would like, you can email me at the jason of all trades @ gmail . com (remove the spaces), I can send you pics of my machine so you can see what it should look like if that helps.
It appears at least the Brother PQ-1500SL machine is equipped with a knee-lift, it's very possible other models are as well. It appears to be a feature that mostly appears on higher-end machines.
Hi, I'm not exactly sure which machine your referring to, but in general, reverse can be engaged in a few different ways on different machines. On many machines, the stitch-length adjuster lever is also the reverse lever. On some machines, reverse may be a separate lever or button. I hope that helps!
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This is so incredibly helpful! I'm disabled and have been trying to figure out some sort of knee or leg control for my machine for a while. I have a knee lift on all of my machines and it is useful for some complex projects, but I'd rather use my knee to work the pedal. When I really have a difficulty sitting with my feet on the ground and don't want to give in I tend to just put the pedal under my knee and sit cross legged, but the downside is that we don't have the fine motor control and I have to significant reduce my speed. I can't work on anything complex with this method either. Also the foot pedal tends to slip and that's no fun. I appreciate your video, now I have something to show my repair guy and we can get started on outfitting my sewing tables to fully accommodate my disability!
I LOVE my Bernina knee lift. However at one point my mother, a non sewer, had her vintage Singer put in a cabinet (discarding the domed carrying cast) and converted to knee operation. In her case, the technician took the carry case and the original foot, which was replaced with a knee controller. I feel the knee control was never as easy to moderate speed as the foot control was. I was the sewer in the family, gut she did not consult with me on any of these decisions. When I got my first bernina, decades later, I struggled with the knee lift, since I would try to use it to start sewing. I solved that problem by using my left foot for the foot pedal and my right knee to lift. It way seem hard for some, but since I learned to drive a manual transmission car, I knew how to use two legs to drive. :-)
I taught a few of my friends to drive their manual transmission vehicles. I learned the hard way; self taught, on a Renault. LOL
You should not apologize for the ignorance of others. You explain perfectly and some really newbs might have confusion but that is not for you to apologize for.
About the knee motor controllers - "I don't know why anybody would want that". I personally love them. On a domestic machine the pedal often does not stay put on the floor, and I hate having to hunt for it with my foot while I'm sewing. I also find myself adjusting and re-adjusting the pedal position and angle all the time. Pressing on the pedal with my foot for a prolonged period of time, I can feel muscle fatigue quite soon. The knee controller, on the other hand, is fixed in one position on the cabinet, and I get a lot more precision and a lot less fatigue using it.
You come from an industrial sewing machine background, and those have huge pedal platforms that are fixed to the cabinet and always stay in one spot. Also, you can press on them with your entire foot, so they are probably a lot less tiring. That does not compare very well to the foot controllers that come with domestic machines, IMO.
Hi,
Good info, thanks! When I say "I don't know why anybody would want that," I mean that sincerely: I don't know what purported benefits there are (you point out several good ones) or whether it's a better system or not.
For the record, I started on and continue to use domestic machines, and only got into industrials within the last few years. And I have definitely said bad words trying to find where that stupid little pedal got off to lol.
I'll have to try the knee lever sometime to see how it works. I doubt it will be my preference, given that I'm now so accustomed to a knee-lift, but I enjoy trying new things. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@@thejasonofalltrades I am actually going to convert my machine to use a knee actuated pedal because I have a disability that makes my foot unreliable for consistent pressure on a floor pedal. So that’s my ‘why would anybody’ benefit example. 👍
Thanks. No confusion here.
I discovered that my industrial machine has provisions for a knee lift and I made one for it. I was happy to find that I was able to lift the foot higher using the knee lift than what the lever on the back would lift.
Danny, o think you can lift higher with all Bernina with the knee lift, but I have only sewn with 5 or six of them.
Knee lift vs. knee throttle, yep, I knew that.
Who would not know that?
When I made the switch from using a domestic to using industrial machines the knee lift was the biggest game-changer for me. I don't know how I ever sewed without it.
I feel the same way.
Great explanation. So many body parts with the HAND operated FOOT lift and the KNEE lift. Nice shirt by the way.😊
Thanks Alexander! Yeah, one of my favorite shirts for sure :)
Now that I think about it, with the right foot operating the power, the right knee operating the presser foot lift, and both hands involved with the fabric, there really should be something useful the left foot could be doing. I think I'm going to install a hi-hat on my sewing table 😂
@@thejasonofalltrades Genius!
I learned to sew using my knee to engage the motor. Was very helpful since I would never have been able to reach a floor control at 6 years old. 😉
@jasonofalltrades
I have been glued to your channel for a while now & I would say i have learnt a lot & I am still learning. I am so in love with sewing machines & this made me learn how to sew & I am loving it.
I love the fact that you post old machines too, they are pretty.
If you have machines you are no longer using and still in a very good shape. Please i will love to get it, if the price will be on a low.
I grew up using the knee lever for the power. It was quite confusing to try and operate the knee lift on my Bernina 730. Finally figured it out but it took a while!
Yeah, I bet I would be just as confused trying to use the knee lever for power lol. I see a humorous video in my future :)
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm in some sewing groups and we usually differ between
"knee lift" (for lifting the pressure foot) and
"knee control" (motor control by knee lever instead of the pedal).
I'm used to use the knee lift since I'm sewing. My 2 most used sewing machines (Bernina KL-117 and 217-industrial) both have the knee lever and I absolutely adore this function. It's unfamiliar for me operating a machine that hasn't that function - and using a machine with knee control (eg. the ELNA "Grasshopper") is very strange.
Imagine someone changes break and throttle pedals in Your car. That's how a knee controlled machine feels to me.
P.s. Bernina has named the knee lift function "FHS" = Frei-Hand-System = hands-free-system.
I often wonder about the origins of that "FHS" function. The oldest machine I know that offers the knee lifter function is the Bernina Class 117.
This brilliant machine was made between 1938 and 1945, most of them are treadle machines.
I know that many industrial machines have that function (eg. Dürrkopp), but in portable / domestic machines I only know Bernina for offering that function.
You didn't use any confusing language Jason, truly! Interesting though, I bought a brother modern machine with a knee lift only to find it actuates electronically, I've got used to it now but at first I wasn't happy. I prefer the bernina style mechanical knee lift. Thanks for another interesting video.
Thanks Colin! Electronically lifted? Interesting! One of these I need to go have a closer look at some higher-end modern machines, just for fun.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for this video! I just purchased a Singer 1200! I’ve been searching for one since you posted this video. Looking forward to using it after I clean it up!
Congratulations!
Good to know you are aware of the modern machines with knee lift. They do tend to be expensive quilting machines.
About 10 years ago, my wife got the quilting bug bad, and she bought a fairly expensive Husqvarna/Viking quilting machine (875, maybe?).
It was never a great machine for her, and sort of turned me away from the higher-end domestic machines (as did my overdeveloped sense of masculinity and my great hesitance to spend large quantities of money). So I never looked closely enough at any of those options since. I have to say, I've probably missed out a little, although my needs still mostly point me toward industrials and vintage domestics. This Bernina has definitely opened my eyes to the fact that my "1970 and prior" criterion for sewing machines to be worthwhile needs some rethinking!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have one of my 15-91's in a Singer table and utilize the knee control of the foot pedal, works really well and I enjoy using it. As for the 1200, I search my local CL each and every day with the hope of finding one.🙏 Good stuff as usual Jason.👍
I really should try one (I think I haver a couple of tables with them), I might end up liking it! Although I imagine the brain pathways connecting "push knee sideways" to "raise presser foot" are so worn in, I'd probably be really confused. Might make a funny video lol!
At the school where my mother worked in the 80:s they experimented with high tables, "bar stool" height chairs and knee throttles for ergonomic reasons, however I think that the knee throttles themselves was more of a practical consequence than an ergonomic choice in that setup.
I don't really like knee levers myself, I much prefer my industrial table that came with two pedals, one large for foot throttle and one small for foot foot lift. However, a knee foot lift, although in my opinion inferior to a foot foot lift, is still way better than only the hand foot lift! But to each his own...
Also I thought the original video was crystal clear on the subject!
Thanks!
I've never used a machine with the separate pedal for the foot lift (there was one in my last sewing job, but I never sat at it).
At home, I often have my machines on my drafting table and stand to sew. I probably wouldn't want to do it all day long, but for casual, fun sewing it works pretty well. It would be interesting to see how a barstool-height arrangement might work.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
My singer treadle tailoring machine has the same setup . I still haven’t restored it yet there is one like it on Facebook that doesn’t need restored but my upcoming eye surgery is a bigger priority at this time.
To make it even more confusing - a few of the earlier Bernina models - the early 500s and 200s could come either with a knee lift or a knee actuator. Went into the same hole, depending on how it was ordered from the factory.
I think "Lift" should have made sense to most people,you did demonstrate the knee lift in previous video,so no confusion on your part
Agree with you, for some reason it does get confusing to some people with the difference esp with the older vintage cabinets 'knee' level running the motor instead of the modern machines knee lift activating the presser foot. I also have a 1200, and a few 201's lol, love my machines :D My 1200 sits in my living room for those days when I want to sew while watching tv, they are so quiet my husband can hear the TV over my sewing and i don't get grumbled at :D Not sure I realized how rare the 1200 was until after I got mine and realized I really didn't see them around much at all.
I go back and forth between my 1200 and my Singer 237, some times my muscle memory would mess me up so I put the foot pedal of the 237 on the floor.
Had a Nelco R-350 that had a knee control but it was an actual switch not a bracket for the foot pedal. I eventually got sorta used to it but it's definitely not as precise as just using the foot pedal.
Interesting! Yeah, after posting I realized I may have made it sound as if the pedal bracket thing is the only way to skin that cat, which it certainly isn't. Having never tried one, I don't have a real opinion, but precision is exactly the thing that came to mind that seemed like it would be a challenge. Maybe once one gets used to it ....
Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@thejasonofalltrades The precision of the knee control depends on which brand of machine it is. For example the old elna supermatics have excellent precision, but if you have heavy thighs like me, it forces you to sit too far to the left of the machine to avoid pressing on it accidentally. I haven't used the type that are built into the foot pedal since high school, and I remember it being hard to control and tiring.
Hi, Your terminology is fine i.e. 'knee lifter or lift' lifts and lowers the presser foot, and the 'knee control' activates the motor so you start sewing. B:)
I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to come across another Fire Breathing Unicorn/Singer 1200. I couldn't just walk away and leave it homeless and as you said I knew exactly what to do with it. Give them money and take it home. The knee lift makes all the difference to me. I may have a few other machines a 401 or more, a Rocketeer, some 201s including a 201k and others that don't get used much because I would rather use the knee lift.
Hi my name is OTB and I have a sewing machine problem.....
So far I've seen three (one was almost certainly a parts machine). I'm surprised at the number I've seen or heard about from other folks! Congrats (or condolences) on finding another one!
Interestingly the first one is a 1937 machine. However when looking up the serial number is says it is a 201. I read somewhere that at first Singer would just pull a few 201s off the line and make them into what we now know as the 1200. The second one has a small plate on the front that says 1200 as well as by looking up the serial number but it is a much younger machine.
Interesting! Yeah, mine is a '36 or '37, I think (I have 4 201s including the 1200 and get them mixed up lol) and it doesn't have the 1200 badge.
@@scratchnbell the 1200 has a modified casting for the main body with the openings, lugs, and mounts for the knee lift system already in widespread use on machines like my 15k30. So not so much taking them off the assembly line and making a 1200 from and existing 201, although besides the casting the same in all other respects.
With out the 1200 badge and a 201 serial number yours would be likely a prototype, a unicorn of unicorns 😄
Great information! Now I'm going to have to compare the cases closely. Fun.
Knee controller (as opposed to Foot controller) vs. Knee (presser foot) lifter.
Auxiliary knee lifters were indeed - and still are - a rare feature on domestic sewing machines. None of the domestic Elnas, Husqvarnas, Pfaffs, Necchis, Janomes or Singers of yesteryear (when these machines were manufactured by the original companies) had this feature so far as I am aware. Some of the later TOL domestic Berninas like the 930 Jason discusses - and their semi-industrial versions like the 940/950 - had them. By contrast, I believe they have long been a standard feature on industrial machines
My industrials all have knee lifts but my 201 is my go-to for anything lighter. I was hoping this would show me how to add one. I’m a hobby fabricator with machining/welding tools and abilities but don’t really want to drill into the 201 base or back to add a mechanism. Also, remembering now that a lift also releases the top thread tensioner and that would be another couple holes and more fab. Sorry but you made think out loud... actually, by typing.
I've wondered about the feasibility of duplicating the knee-lift mechanism for the 1200 to retrofit to a 201, but it would definitely involve drilling holes and permanently modifying the machine. Mine are all pretty ratty anyway, so it wouldn't be a great loss to society.
Someone recently turned me onto a knee-lift mod using a bicycle brake cable to actuate the presser foot bar on a Sailrite Ultrafeed. It's not simple, but I think could be done without permanent modification to the machine. At the moment, I think it's more effort than it's worth to me, but it might be an option.
Here's a forum link, I'm not sure if this is the most detailed but you'll get the idea - forum.sailrite.com/make-a-kneelifter-for-presser-foot_topic3127.html
I understood what you meant, and I am still at noob level, if that helps.
I'm probably still a noob myself :)
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I use the knee bar to operate my grandmother's 66-16 Singer. I don't really know how to get the foot pedal out. I had less than favorable experiences in home ec class. Probably touchy pedals.
I just fixed up a 15-125 and I got it for 25 bucks at the thrift store! Score I am in love now I want to have the 201 but I don’t have the room I think there almost the same but I know it’s probably not these old machines are so addicting it’s like Pokémon cards you want to collect them all lol 😂
I can’t imagine doing much without the knee lift at this point, i have two other wonderful machines, a 115 and a 221, but when I use them it’s a fairly entertaining display of complete lack of coordination 🤣
It’s a shame the 1200 is so rare, I’ve been told the intent for the design was to be the next step from the class of machine I currently have, the 31k15, but singer at the time was getting far enough behind in innovations like zigzag and decorative stitches other companies filled the gap with more features at a lower price point, although arguably in many ways the 1200 overall was still a much higher quality machine.
My manuals specifically refer to it as “knee lift”, fwiw.
Good day . thanks for the lesson. Sorry for the mistakes if there are any, I translate by Google translator. please tell me, I cannot create a zigzag stitch on the Zinger 20u33, the loop is made only on the left side, the thread is not captured on the right side, and as a result I get a straight stitch, I have been suffering for a week now, I bought a machine through second hands thanks in advance
Pretty sure the confusion stemmed from your written post mentioning your machine didn't have a foot pedal but had a knee lift phrased in such a way that to many of us it sounded as though the knee lift was another option.
Hence those of us aware of the vintage knee lever for power picked up on that. That's all.
Fortunately there are a lot of Berninas with knee lifts. 😁 The top Bernina models (classified as 30s in their series) going back 50 years + all seem to have had knee lifts way before my 1130s and 1530.
i have the 201 that looks like your 1200 propa nice machine ive seen them knee lift on 206s an 306ks im sure you could drill a hole in the base an add one if you really wanted to a standerd 201 206 306 etc were can i get the knee lever that goes under the table so i can use my 206k with the knee lift
New subscriber here, and already you channel is so helpful! Thank you! Your videos on Singer 1200s have intrigued me and then, today, I came across one! It’s a hike to get to, but no good pics of the back. Do the knee lifter parts on the 1200 look transferable to a 201-3 that is being treadled? I guess the question is, can I modify the 1200 to treadle or can I make the 201-3 basically a 1200? Either way, I know holes must be drilled, eek! I’m inclined to get it, but knowing this would be very helpful. I have an old German straight leg Singer artisan treadle with knee lifter that came with a 206 that amazingly, uses a standard 15 needle. But to treadle a 201 with a knee lifter capability would be the best of all worlds.
Hi, and welcome!
So, by my eye, a 1200 is a 201-2 head with a hole drilled through the bed (for the knee-lift linkage bar to pass through), and a hole drilled and tapped for a screw in the back of the arm (for the knee-lift linkage pivot point). A careful person with a drill and a tap could probably convert a 201 to a 1200 (there may be some small internal parts I'm not thinking of, but I don't think they would be deal-breakers).
I believe the 201-3 is belt driven, as opposed to the direct-drive of the 201-2 and 1200. To treadle the 1200 (or 201-2) you would have to change the hand wheel to one with a belt groove, I believe. I don't have any treadle experience so I don't know if anything else would need to change.
I don't know much about the 201-3, it sounds like they are not very common, and of course the 1200 is fairly rare. Maybe find a 201-2 head to convert to treadle and drill and tape for the knee lift?
Great video
Thank you so much!
I have a number of Singer sewing machines which are knee operated, I also have sewing machines with foot control and a Consew with foot control and a knee lift. I have to occasionally remind myself which machine/control I am using as I sometimes try to use the knee lift to control the speed of the sewing :-). I wonder if you have this conundrum?
The biggest problem I've had was when I worked at a shop that had pneumatic foot-lifts activated by heeling back on the pedal. If I sewed on my machine at home a lot over the weekend, on Monday I'd be swiping for the knee lift that wasn't there all morning, and by the weekend I'd heel back on my machine at home with no results 😂
I just purchased a singer 66 and it has a knee bar to sew. The problem I am having is that it won't sew when the head is up, when I push on the knee lift there is alot of resistance. It will only sew if the machine head is pushed up. This is my first vintage machine in thinking maybe one of the cords is loose or compressed . Do you happen to have any idea on where we should start to fix the problem
Hi!
I don't have any experience with that particular machine, and I haven't used a knee-lever for sewing, so I am just guessing here.
First, if you have ANY doubt about the integrity of the wiring, DO NOT plug the machine in or use it until the wiring is known to be safe. Old metal machines can have bad wiring insulation and can shock or even electrocute you, so don't take any chances. I would recommend finding a qualified sewing machine repair shop and have them look at it.
That said, with the machine unplugged, I would look at the wiring going from the controller (foot pedal) to the machine, particularly anywhere it passes through an opening in the table or the machine. I believe most (maybe all) knee levers just push the button on a standard foot pedal that is mounted inside the cabinet, if you look from underneath you should see it where the knee lever is mounted. If the wires are being pinched anywhere, you should be able to see it. Again, ANY compromise in the integrity of the wiring (insulation damaged or missing, broken wire, etc) should be checked by a qualified repair person.
I hope that helps! These are simple machines, so it's probably a relatively easy fix. Good luck!
Hello. I bought a treadle cabinet but instead of a treadle wheel there is a motor and a metal rod. How does this work. It did not come with the machine.
Can it be used with any other machine. Thank you LaVonne
Hi!
This is a bit difficult to answer without seeing a photo; it sounds like you might be describing an industrial table and motor? The "pedal" of industrials, especially older ones, is very similar to the treadle pedal of treadle machines. On the 1200 in this video, the motor is still mounted to the machine as normal, but the "treadle pedal" is attached by linkage to what essentially is the electrical components that would be found in a standard household pedal. Stepping on the treadle pedal activates those electrical components to run the motor.
If there is a large electric motor bolted to the underside of the table, you have an industrial table and motor. Theoretically these can be connected by a belt to a non-industrial machine (the machine may not be the right size for the opening in the table, though), but connecting a powerful industrial motor to a domestic machine may cause damage to your machine.
If you are able to send pictures of what you have, feel free to email me at
the jason of all trades @ gmail . com (remove the spaces) and I might be able to provide better information.
Good luck!
When I was a kid I got the neasels.
I grew up sewing with a knee lever rather than a pedal, and could control it just fine, even from the age of 7. Not sure I'd have been able to reach a pedal on the floor. Never had a kneelift, I guess it could be handy, but seems extraneous to me.
I imagine a knee lever would be fine to use once one was used to it, I've just never known what the perceived benefit was over a foot pedal (to the best of my knowledge, electric machines started as foot-pedal-operated and the knee lever came later). I think it would be a challenge for me to adapt to using a knee lever instead of a pedal at this point, but honestly I've never tried :)
For a home sewist, a knee lift isn't necessary, but there are definitely times it can be very helpful, such as manipulating a large piece into position under the foot. Having both hands available to move and hold the piece in position and being able to raise/lower the foot with your leg is very handy, at least. For more serious/production sewing, it can add greatly to efficiency.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Perhaps this confusion is why Bernina now calls this system the "Bernina Free Hand System"
does the 1200 have to be used with the knee lift in the table ?? does the lever at the back lift it all the way up ? with out the knee lift ?
Hi! It's always possible that there is an exception that I don't know about, but in my experience, all machines equipped with a knee-lift for the presser foot also have a hand-operated lever like all other sewing machines. The mechanism for the knee lever acts on the needle bar in the same way, but is an additional method, not replacing the hand lever. So, no, you do not have to use the knee lever. And for clarity, I guess I should mention that if you want the presser foot to STAY in the upright position, you would need the hand lever for that; the knee lever only holds the foot up while you are applying pressure to it, when you release it the foot goes back down.
I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
@@thejasonofalltrades it does lift up there is a lever at the back of the machine but it doesnt lift up the foot as high as the knee lift does maybe its broke or sumit i dont no it is missing a clip tho that connects the knee lift bar to the pressor bar mayb that why it looks like your 1200 but it has the zig zag same machine as in this video 206 ruclips.net/video/1c8hYJCbw2o/видео.html&lc=Ugw_msPyw0AzVcdtUl94AaABAg.A2WD-bZmZu1A2X0qz6NBzm seem to have a 95k needle bar for dbx needles an even the same decals as a singer 95k
@@rndea100 I can't remember on the 201/1200 specifically, but the part the lever interacts with might be able to be adjusted, and if so it might be positioned incorrectly. If it is not adjustable, parts may be worn, or as you point out, missing.
If you would like, you can email me at the jason of all trades @ gmail . com (remove the spaces), I can send you pics of my machine so you can see what it should look like if that helps.
Do you know if Brother machine has a knee lift?
It appears at least the Brother PQ-1500SL machine is equipped with a knee-lift, it's very possible other models are as well. It appears to be a feature that mostly appears on higher-end machines.
unfortunately we don't have the 1200 in italy... otherwise it would've been my main machine. I had to switch to an industrial machine
Interesting
Do you use dial for reverse?
Hi,
I'm not exactly sure which machine your referring to, but in general, reverse can be engaged in a few different ways on different machines. On many machines, the stitch-length adjuster lever is also the reverse lever. On some machines, reverse may be a separate lever or button.
I hope that helps!