Like any hobby or occupation, sewing is great fun. In order to get the most from your machine its best to use the right tools. Your machine comes with some different feet and there are many other specialty feet available to give you that professional look. Every machine has a different selection of starter and optional feet. Let's look at the functions of different feet.
All Purpose Foot ■ Supports the fabric well for construction of garment. The bottom of the foot holds the fabric close to the plate giving the sewer good control.
Embroidery Foot ■ Has a grooved area that allows decorative stitches to go under the foot without being compressed. May have clear plastic top or open-toe for greater visibility. (Although convenient for visibility, its not satisfactory for regular sewing.)
Zipper Foot ■ Has a cut-away section of the foot so that the foot does not rest on the zipper when sewing. For best zipper results it is good to have a zipper foot that allows straight-line sewing on either side of the foot so that you can sew both sides of the zipper from the same direction.
Blind Hem Foot ■ Has a guide for the fold of the fabric so that the zigzag of the blind hem stitch just catches the front of the garment. May have a screw to allow for adjustment of guide width. This foot can be used for topstitching and stitch-in-the-ditch.
Overcast Foot ■ Has a guide that runs along the edge of the garment to insure that overcasting is along outside edge of fabric. Works with a preset zigzag width.
Straight Stitch Foot ■ Has a single hole which allows sewer to sew on light weight or filmy fabric. Won't allow the fabric to be pulled up and down by the needle. Prevents fabric from 'going' into needle plate hole.
Pintuck Foot ■ Used with a narrow twin needle. Makes parallel rows of soft pintucks without pressing folds for tuck. Ideal for heirloom sewing.
1/4" Foot ■ Ideal for piecing quilts.
Darning Foot ■ Used with the feed dogs down to allow for the sewer to manipulate the fabric for mending or more usually for free-motion embroidery or stipple quilting.
Walking or Evenfeed Foot ■ Gives a set of feed dogs on top of fabric which makes fabric feed evenly. Used for quilting layers of fabric, for matching plaids and on difficult fabrics.
Cording Foot ■ Grooves guide cording for ease in couching over threads with zigzag or decorative stitches.
Roller Foot ■ Provides steady feeding by keeping leather, suede, or synthetic materials tightly against the feed dogs. Fabulous for materials that are difficult to feed such as leather, vinyl and suede.
Ruffler Foot ■ Sews evenly tucked ruffles.
Piping Foot, Beading Foot, Sequin Foot ■ Allows bulky embellishments to be fed easily.
We are always ready to help you choose the right foot for your job. Come in and ask us. We also love to see your projects.
