Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#157933 - 11/28/11 01:50 PM Sewing machine foot pedal extender
DJ2 Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
I recently placed my sewing machine on a 42" table so I could try sewing while standing up.

Problem.....foot pedal wouldn't reach the floor.

Solution:

foot pedal photos



The attractive yellow thing is 2" wide tubular polypro Webbing. Webbing is screwed to shelf behind the foot pedal. A flat stick is inserted into Webbing on the floor and elevated for use as a pedal. A binder clip on the floor end of the Webbing allows me to adjust the inserted flat stick.

Device is easier to use than the actual foot pedal.


Top
#157950 - 11/28/11 04:53 PM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: DJ2]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
That is pretty cool. I would have just spliced into the power cord. Just goes to show that there isn't one solution to every problem.
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

Top
#157953 - 11/28/11 05:01 PM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: finallyME]
DJ2 Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
finallyME,

Thanks for the suggestion. If I like using the machine at this elvation I'll probalby splice the cord.

dj2

Top
#157955 - 11/28/11 05:11 PM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: DJ2]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Originally Posted By DJ2
finallyME,

Thanks for the suggestion. If I like using the machine at this elvation I'll probalby splice the cord.

dj2


Yeah, but you said that it is easier to use with the webbing. If you splice the cord, then it will work the same way it always had. But with the webbing, it works better. Personally, I would go with the "better". laugh
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

Top
#157972 - 11/28/11 10:18 PM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: finallyME]
DJ2 Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
finallyME,

I got the same advice on Kitebuilder where I posted this idea. Do you also post there?

I've learned from all of this that laying (perhaps taping) a flat stick on the foot pedal makes it easier to operate for me. The incline on the actual foot pedal is too steep for my comfort. A foot long stick layed upon the foot pedal decreases the incline.

dj2

Top
#158058 - 11/30/11 09:59 AM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: DJ2]
frenchie Offline
member

Registered: 10/05/05
Posts: 461
Loc: Lyon, France
What is the advantage of sewing standing up? Not having to get up every couple of minutes to check things, or what?
That's fine with small stuff, but large pieces of fabric are more efficiently managed on a low, wide, flat surface.
This I'm personally more comfortable sewing on the floor or a low table...sitting cross legged, and powering the pedal with one knee is OK...

Top
#158060 - 11/30/11 11:47 AM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: frenchie]
DJ2 Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
frenchie,

I don't know if there are any advantages to this. It is just an experiment.

I did read that sitting for long periods is not healthy, however and, so far, it just feels better to sew while standing up.

Time will tell.

I'm envious of your flexibility. There is no way I can sit on the floor comfortably, let alone operate a sewing machine. Both of my arms would be needed to prop me up and forget about crossing my legs.

Daryl

Top
#158124 - 12/01/11 12:03 PM Re: Sewing machine foot pedal extender [Re: DJ2]
frenchie Offline
member

Registered: 10/05/05
Posts: 461
Loc: Lyon, France
Believe me, sitting on the floor for hours sewing is no healthier than on a chair smile...Bad on my oldish hips.
I just have a lot more working space.
Working space becomes a much bigger mess, too...

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 241 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum