Walking foot

Can somebody tell when should you use a walking foot? I have one but am not really sure when it should be used. I would hate to have one & not know when it would make something better.

I have only been sewing for a year, so I'm no expert, but I use my walking foot whenever I am sewing multiple layers of fabric (like a bag w/ outer fabric, lining and facing) or when I'm sewing 2 different fabrics that have different amounts of stretch or play (not sure the correct term for this).  A walking foot is designed for quilting, but my quilting instructor says that she uses hers a lot as it helps the fabric feed evenly (it pulls from the top while the feed dogs pull from the bottom).  When I bought my sewing machine I was in the middle of making blinds using linen and a stiff synthetic liner.  The linen was a loose weave and shifted around a lot, while the lining didn't have any stretch at all.  The dealer suggested using the walking foot which made it much easier.  If you are finding your various layers shifting or bunching as you sew, try the walking foot.  Hope this helps.

Be happy you have one too!  It can be hard to find them for certain sewing machines if they have not come standard.  They are certainly a benefit for sewing multiple layers of fabric.  I recently made some bags where it was really helpful!

I've been making bags & I guess I should give it a try. Thanks.

My walking foot is loud when I sew so I don't like to use it, but it keeps all the layers together nicely.  I bought mine when I was making quilted bags.  It helps feed all the layers through your machine at the same speed so that you don't get the top layer of fabric feeding slower or faster than the other layers.  Also, if you have different fabrics like flannel on top and another weight fabric on the bottom, it also helps to keep one from stretching too much.  It's worth it so use it- you won't regret it.

Walking feet are lifesavers when you're quilting.  Without a walking foot, it's pretty difficult to get nice even stitches when you're sewing through so much bulk.  I love the ideas to use them when bag sewing...I'll have to get mine out next time I make a purse.

thanks for all the tips... I just bought one because someone said I needed it but then it just sat in the package since I brought it home...I'm gonna bust it out now!

walking foot will improve your sewing on any garment. it will improve your sewing skills when making garments, quilting or just sewing a seam. Paff makes a walking foot as its primary sewing foot. i use my walking foot for 75% of all my sewing. i have bewen sewing for over 30 years, making and designing garments, home project. emboidery, quilting and this week drapery maker designer. when sewing the drapes the walking foot was and is a great addition to sewing. getting use to the walking foot is half the fun. i try to never limit myself that way i  am always surprised by thew little things. have a good sewing day.

I just quilted my first quilt and knew I needed a walking foot but didn't have one so I started without it.  Well, the next day when I made it to JoAnn's I found one and picked it up--and it made a big difference!  It was easier to get through the layers with even stitching and the binding was easy too.

I love my walking foot.  It's great for sewing things made out of thick fabric- like soft minky creatures.  I also love it for top stitching bags.  I was busting needles when I went through the handles, but no longer! 

I like to use my walking foot when sewing the binding onto my quilts...it keeps everything lined up nicely and keeps the layers from shifting.

It's great for sewing PUL and other 'sticky' fabrics. I also use it when sewing polar fleece.

I have a built in walking foot on my Pfaff and I use it all the time, for everything. It just keeps everything very stable for very accurate sewing. There only a couple of feet I cannot use it with.

That said, it is particularly useful on thick layers, slippery fabrics, for matching plaids and stripes etc (great for this).

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Please include me in FFF. Thanks! (:

I also use it for fleece & other bulky fabrics like corduroy.  My machine doesn't have a presser foot pressure adjustment so it is a must for accommodating variations in thickness.

I have one on order from Singer and can't wait to get it to make blankets, quilts and whatever else I can think of.

Thanks for the hints on using the foot, I'll be back with more questions I'm sure once I get it.

Andrea




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