Last Updated On August 22nd, 2018
With the advances of modern technology, many types of equipment in the UK have fallen by the wayside. The sewing machine is one notable exception. It is a money saving device that has stood the test of time.
One essential part of the sewing machine is the foot pedal, which allows the user to control the power as needed while leaving the hands free to guide the material. Unfortunately, sometimes the foot pedal is missing or needs to be replaced. This can happen for any number of reasons:
- Foot pedal has been lost
- The unit was purchased used without a pedal
- The cord has become frayed or damaged
- The existing pedal doesn’t work properly
Consumers often want to know: Are sewing machine pedals universal?
What Is Meant By Universal?
It’s important to determine what people are asking for when they ask this question. Many parts of modern equipment are designed to fit universally into similar types of equipment, regardless of model. This benefits the consumer, because the original manufacturer may have gone out of business, the model may be an older one, or the consumer would like to be able to price compare. It would be nice if all parts were generic, and could be interchanged in this way. Unfortunately, especially with high end models, this may not be the case.
Some manufacturers offer foot pedals that are branded as “universal”. This title is a little misleading, because they will also usually include a list of manufacturer models into which the foot pedal is supposed to fit. If your model is not included on the list, the pedal may or may not fit properly.
The foot pedal has a cord with connectors on the end that are designed to be plugged into the machine. The connectors may not fit at all, or they may only fit loosely.
This will affect the performance of your sewing machine. The cord may fall out when you are using the machine, or the machine may not run as smoothly as you would like. You may end up having to return the cord after purchase. A loose-fitting cord in any electrical machine is also a fire hazard.
What To Do If Your Pedal Is Missing?
The best place to get a new pedal is from the original manufacturer. This will assure you that you are getting the exactly right part for your sewing machine, and may save headaches later on. If your unit is new and is still on warranty, you should be able to purchase at a reduced rate. You can also check out a sewing machine repair shop for the correct replacement.
If you don’t wish to do this, or if for any reason you cannot find out where to locate the original manufacturer, you may wish to try one of the universal foot pedals that are offered online. In that case you may have little to lose. Just be aware that you might have to return the pedal in the event that it doesn’t fit or fits poorly, and be sure to check the return policy of the company you buy from. Popular websites such as Amazon have liberal return policies to allow for such occurrences. However, website policies change frequently, so be sure to check the terms at the time of purchase.