Sew a Non-Slip Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Pad

Sew a non-slip sewing machine foot pedal pad - a genius idea to stop the foot pedal slipping away from you. I'm on it!Sewing gives me a lot of pleasure, but actually sometimes also quite a bit of pain.  I get a pain in my back when I sew for a while, and when I took a good hard look at that recently, I realised that a lot of it may be due to the fact that my foot-pedal leg often starts off in a comfortable position, but the more I sew, the more it extends outwards as I chase my foot-pedal across the floor.

I have a tiled floor and the foot pedal seems to slip further and further away throughout my sewing session, until I have to fish it back again.  It's this sitting with one leg extended, sitting at an angle that I'm convinced in a back-breaker for me.  So I set out to solve this dilemma and sew a non-slip sewing machine foot pedal pad.

It's not pretty, but it works, and that's what matters.  My foot pedal stays put now a lot more than it did before.  I think this would work if you had a wooden floor or carpets too, not just for tile.  Here's how you can make one – it's pretty cheap!

Materials to make a non-slip sewing machine foot pedal pad

 

sewing machine foot pedal pad

  • Roll of non-slip spongy material, often sold as drawer or shelf liners  (alternative UK Link)
  • Some fleece, batting, felt or similar
  • Quilting cotton, or other fabric, less than a Fat Quarter
  • Straight cut or bias strips, 2.5 inches wide

Start out by measuring your foot pedal and decide on how big you want your mat to be.  I'm guessing the bigger you make it, the more grip it will have.  But bear in mind, this stuff is non-slip so it will also grip onto all your little pieces of thread too and could end up a big thread nest, so don't make it huge.

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I drew a rough ‘pattern'  from a sheet of paper and used it to cut 2 pieces of the non-slip liner.  Make it round, oval, square – whatever you like.  I made mine rectangular so that I had some padding under my heel too.

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Now make or unwrap some binding tape.  If your mat is square, you can use a straight cut binding.  A jelly roll strip would be ideal for that.  If you've made it round or oval, you'll want to use a bias binding tape.  Check out these tutorials on how to estimate and make continuous bias binding, and how to get neat corners.

Making continuous bias binding tape

Continuous Bias Binding Calculator

Turning corners with bias binding

non slip sewing machine foot pedal padApply the binding all around the outside of the two layers of non-slip grippy stuff.  You might find because it's grippy, that it's going to grip the plastic of your sewing machine.  If that's the case, slip some tissue or even some regular paper underneath to help it feed through.  Here's mine sewn to the paper.  It perforates as it sews so it just pulls off afterward.

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I folded my 2.5 inch binding in half and sewed it to the top, then folded it over to the back and stitched again.  It's not the greatest of neat jobs, but hey, who's looking under my sewing table! Get out of there…

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Because we are constantly applying pressure to the back of the pedal, it can still slip forward so I thought having something to prevent it slipping off the front of our mat would be a good idea.  I created a roll of some scraps of felt that I had layered with some fabric.

non slip sewing machine foot pedal pad

Cut a rectangle of fabric a couple of inches wider than the mat.  Cut your inner padding piece an inch narrower than your mat.

On the wrong side of your fabric, place your piece or pieces of felt, fleece, or batting and start to roll it up.  When you get it as thick as you want it, snip off any remaining filling.  Leave your fabric an inch longer.

non slip sewing machine foot pedal pad

Turn under the raw edge on your fabric, roll it up and then hand stitch it down to complete your ‘sausage'  to go at the front of the mat.  The ends should be thin, without the filling so these will be easier to sew.  You can even get your scissors in there and snip any fabric from the center of the roll that you don't need.

roller2

Now tuck in under the ends on your stopper roll, and tuck those ends underneath to the backside and stitch them in place.

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It's done.  Place your foot pedal where you want it to go, more confident now that it's going to stay in place better than it did before.  Your back will thank you.

Sew a non-slip sewing machine foot pedal pad - a genius idea to stop the foot pedal slipping away from you. I'm on it!

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Nancy Glaspie
Nancy Glaspie

Sounds like a wonderful idea that I will try, but I have one watch-out comment. Some types of rubbery linings will react with some floor finishes and leave a permanent discolored shadow. I have no idea if shelf liner is one, but I suggest you check under it from time to time.

Dianne MN arks
Dianne MN arks

I use a heavy silicon mat that is supposed to be used under dog food/water bowls. Works great!

Marguerite E Reihl
Marguerite E Reihl

Would it not be better to just put a binding on the Roll of non-slip spongy material and not have material on the bottom? It seems like the material on the bottom would still let it slid.

Sherry
Sherry

It actually doesn’t have fabric on the bottom. It’s just the 2 layers of non-skid material with batting (or whatever you want to use) sandwiched in-between, then bound all around the edges, then the top piece attached. I just finished mine this afternoon, and it works great!!

Elizabeth Murray
Elizabeth Murray

Thank you I am going to make this, I am tired of chasing my foot pedal over the carpet.

Kathy
Kathy

Great idea and design! I’m chasing mine across a slick Pergo floor.

tlcmathis
tlcmathis

Did one for the machine I travel with. Love it!

Shawnna
Shawnna

Sew a toe cover over it, make it stay under your foot. You can slip your foot in and out as needed.

Janet Power
Janet Power

You can buy the bottle of non slip glue used to put on the bottom of knitt slippers for safety reasons at the Fabricville stores .

terri
terri
Reply to  Janet Power

I have seen a product on Amazon, if you care to shop there, probably in the home improvement category, which may be painted on the underside of rugs to stop slippage.

Genev Reed
Genev Reed

I put the shelf liner by itself on the floor years ago thinking it would work. I added the padded stop at end like you did and it is perfect. Now making some for Christmas gifts for my sewing friends. Thank you so much.

Lynnette Siegl
Lynnette Siegl

I made this for me and several friends! But it doesn’t work as well as I thought it would; it still walks away control foot walks away. I even put extra layers of the non slip grip on the top and bottom of the presser foot!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Lynnette Siegl

It would be the material you used. maybe you can apply hot glue with a gun at the bottom to stop from sliding away

PAM TAYLOR
PAM TAYLOR
Reply to  Lynnette Siegl

Be sure to cut the non-slip rectangle LONG enough so your heal is on top of it. This will help it stay in place better than just depending on it “gripping” the floor surface.

Sherry
Sherry
Reply to  Lynnette Siegl

As I’m reading the instructions, I’m thinking there is no fabric on the bottom, just the 2 pieces of the gripper stuff with binding around it , and then the cylinder thing on the top. Just mojo.

Mea Cadwell
Mea Cadwell

I made this over a year ago and found my pedal still moves around as much as it ever did. 🙁 But, after washing it, it was great at removing stubborn lids.

Mea Cadwell
Mea Cadwell
Reply to  Mea Cadwell

I just discovered that putting a thin silicon jar gripper underneath my sewing pedal did the trick!

Fiona
Fiona

For years I’ve been chasing my foot pedal around, I am no more, this mat is fantastic, why didn’t I find this idea years ago ????????????

June Denicola
June Denicola

Made this. So glad I did. Huge help. Now the foot pedal doesn’t slide. Thank you.

trackback
Sewing Pattern – Non-Slip Sewing Machine Foot Pedal Pad – Sewing - Carelyst

[…] It’s not pretty, but it works, and that’s what matters. My foot pedal stays put now a lot more than it did before. I think this would work if you had a wooden floor or carpets too, not just for tile. Here’s how you can make one – it’s pretty cheap! See the full article and tutorial here. […]

Virginia kirkpatrick
Virginia kirkpatrick

I’m giving this a try. I saw one you could purchase. It was $20. This is great that I can use some of the leftovers from making my sewing machine mat and make my footed al mat match the only thing is I’m going to add a small strip of the loop side of velcro to the back as I have carpet in my sewing room thanks for a great idea!!!!!

Nelly
Nelly

Thank you for your version and the heel rest. Currently i just have a piece of the rubber mat down when i sew, this would be way more attractive as well as more useful.

Cynthia M.
Cynthia M.

Just to experiment before sewing anything, I doubled a piece of foam shelf liner and laid it on the floor under the foot pedal, and it worked like a charm. I may or may not bind it later. Thanks for the idea anyway.

Susan Montag
Susan Montag

does this work on carpet too?

Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson

Why is there no template for those who are looking for a template for making their foot pedal non-slip mat. I am having trouble finding a template.

Dale Freeman
Dale Freeman
Reply to  Ashley Johnson

Everyone’s foot pedal is a different size/shape, so a template wouldn’t be helpful. Just trace your foot pedal onto a piece of paper. Add about an inch on each side. In the front, I would add 4-5 inches so the heel of your foot will rest on the mat. (The weight of your foot will help stop the sliding. At the back, add 2″ so you can put the roll described in the instructions. Then you have a template for YOUR foot pedal.

Patricia Landstrom
Patricia Landstrom

Have since seen that there is a delay in comments. Never really responding to stuff I didn’t realize it wasn’t in real time. Still wish these questions would disappear though!

ROSEMARIE
ROSEMARIE

The directions are general, as there is not a standard size for a foot pedal. Many are about 6″ across and 9″ deep . Mine is 12″ across and 10″ deep.
I think if you start with a piece of loose leaf notebook paper, you will have a template that would work with your foot pedal, but check it out first. I think you would want the template to be at least 2″ all around larger than your pedal.

K. Cass
K. Cass

I would love to make the Linen V Top Pattern for the late summer. It would a luxe blouse for late summer with a long light blue peasant skirt.

D. Joy Summers

It is cute but I have found that for some reason over time the shelf liner reacts to plastic and causes a permanent defacing I guess you could call it to the surface.

Sandy
Sandy

I think that is great and I am going to make one for my machine. Artsy Gal

Helen
Helen

AWESOME! I am a balloon decorator and am constantly chasing my inflator pedal. I can’t wait to make this for me and my network members! Will they be surprised and grateful for such a super idea! Thank you and I hope your aches and pains disappear.

KBlaiwes
KBlaiwes

I also use a brick for the left foot to rest on so it helps to keep both hips even!

Sammy
Sammy
Reply to  KBlaiwes

Fantastic idea!! I suffer with a slipped disc at my very lower spine and very painful sciatica so even hips are very important to me. My dad is also a bricklayer by trade so I will be doing this exact thing! might even make a matching fancy cover for the brick 😀 thank you for the idea, happy sewing!

Nelly
Nelly
Reply to  KBlaiwes

GREAT IDEA!!!! Thank you

ASHLEE
ASHLEE
Reply to  KBlaiwes

Brilliant! I suffer from Cauda Equina and my hips being level is super important! Will be using the brick and mat haha thanks!

DM
DM

Oh, this is so timely for me!! I have dealing with that scooting pedal and now I will follow your directions and STOP this ‘wandering/scooting’ pedal!!!! Thank you!!!!

Deborah Delaney
Deborah Delaney

looks great will make this week great idea…..

Bunny Dannels
Bunny Dannels

I made it longer. I see with my shoe off, so this way I can set my foot down comfortably.
This is such a great idea! I have chased that pedal for far to long!

LaNell Mueller
LaNell Mueller
Reply to  Bunny Dannels

Bunny, I had a good chuckle with your comment “I See with my shoe off” instead of Sew. I had this crazy vision of an eye in your big toe. LOL I hope you aren’t offended with my comment. I have a crazy sense of humor.

Becky Anderson
Becky Anderson
Reply to  LaNell Mueller

I have been sewing masks like crazy. I am so tired of chasing my peddle around. I’m making on of these immediately!

Tina
Tina

Thank you, made one for my sewing foot and one for the organist at my choir, she is forever chasing the foot. Many thanks for the easy to follow photos

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Tina

I can picture the organist trying to get to a particular key and loosing the pedal:)

Oskar111
Oskar111
Reply to  Tina

I did it exactly the same and it still moves

Joan Schwab
Joan Schwab

Thanks for sharing!

Debbie Russell
Debbie Russell
Reply to  Joan Schwab

Thanks for the pattern for the non-slip sewing machine foot pedal.

Carter Carter
Carter Carter
Reply to  Debbie Russell

I would put the shelf liner on the bottom also so the pad wouldn’t slide

Faviola M. Martinez
Faviola M. Martinez
Reply to  Carter Carter

The shelf liner IS ON the bottom! That the whole reason why it’s made like it is!

Monarch
Monarch
Reply to  Carter Carter

I agree. I would think having fabric on the very bottom, the pedal would still slip around but if the shelf liner were framed only, that would keep it in place better.

Monarch
Monarch
Reply to  Monarch

Sorry, I just reread it and I see that is what is done. At first it looked to me like fabric was on the bottom.

Margaret
Margaret
Reply to  Monarch

I absolutely thought so too – that there was material on the bottom. As they say – when all else fails… read the instructions. I’d only glanced through the pictures. Margaret, Pretoria.RSA

Diane Phillips
Diane Phillips

Will this work on a cement floors?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Diane Phillips

Yes, it will.

Dusty cCarter
Dusty cCarter

Just made n used it. What difference it makes, my back is much happier.

Ernestine
Ernestine

Perfect ! Thats exactly what I needed,Thanks a lot.

Judith
Judith
Reply to  Ernestine

thank you for the great idea to assist in keeping the pedal where it should be.

Darlene Britton
Darlene Britton
Reply to  Ernestine

Awesome idea, thank you! I’m going to make 3. 2 for me & 1 for my SIL.

mary wright

Made one. Great idea. I found a Non-slip Rug Underlay at the dollar store (18 x 28″) plenty big enough to make several.

Nelly
Nelly
Reply to  mary wright

FYI: The dollar store underlay I found at my store is not as thick & does not grasp as well as the “better stuff”. Tends to slide a bit.

Mamie Comans
Mamie Comans

Yes! Also, my husband plays a portable piano at church’s… Making two for his SLIPPING “pedals”.

Victoria
Victoria

This is fabulous! I was just chasing my petal hours ago. You are very proactive and I know your back is happy now. Thank you so much-will make mine when I get the non-slip stuff.

Gail G.
Gail G.
Reply to  Victoria

Fantastic idea ?. Thx……

Cheryl
Cheryl

I think I’ll make one for my sewing machine as well as my keyboard that I play on Sunday mornings. I’m sure it will work better than the bag of rice I’m presently using to keep the pedal from sliding!

Janet Ferabend
Janet Ferabend

I was just saying how I am always chasing the pedal around the floor, thank you so much i will make one today

Elize
Elize
Reply to  Janet Ferabend

It worked out perfectly. Thanks for this great project idea

Dawn Rule
Dawn Rule

Great idea. I am going to make one this week. Thanks

Dianne
Dianne

Fantastic idea. I also have the sliding problem on my tiles. So glad I found your blog. I did have to laugh tho’ – your idea of “not neat” is very different to mine. Your work is exquisite ?

glenda chandler
glenda chandler

I just made it …hoping my sewing “back ache” clears up! Mine isn’t nearly as pretty as yours since I already had plain ol’ white binding tape.