A walking foot is a useful add-on to any kind of sewing machine and can save a lot of time and effort when working on projects. It not only works with the regular foot, but can be used to create interesting effects and textures. In this article, we will take a closer look at what a walking foot is, how it works and the advantages it can offer.
What is a Walking Foot?
A walking foot is a special foot designed for sewing machines that helps you quickly and accurately move fabric when working on larger projects such as quilts. It consists of a bar that is attached to the machine’s presser foot. This bar helps the presser foot to move forward and backward in a consistent, even manner, making it easy to sew layers of fabric together or to quilt several layers of batting or batting and backing.
Unlike the regular presser foot, the walking foot has an adjustable gripper foot that moves with the feed dogs. This gripper foot helps to hold the fabric in place and prevents it from slipping or bunching up when sewing. It is also helpful in preventing skipped stitches when working on projects with multiple layers of fabric, especially when quilting.
The walking foot is easy to attach to most sewing machines and can be used for a variety of projects, from quilting to garment construction. It can even be used with monofilament, stretch fabrics or velvet.
How Does a Walking Foot Work?
The walking foot works by having two rows of feed dogs. The first row of feed dogs pulls the upper layer of fabric while the second row of feed dogs pulls the lower layer. The walking foot has a bar that is attached to the feed dogs which helps it move forward and backward in a consistent motion. This motion helps to evenly stitch the layers of fabric together.
When using the walking foot, it is important to adjust the tension so that the layers of fabric do not shift or bunch. It is also important to ensure that the presser foot and the walking foot are lined up properly. This will help ensure that the machine feeds and moves in a straight line without any changes in direction.
The walking foot can be adjusted for different thicknesses of fabric, as well as for different types of projects. It is also helpful when sewing curved edges and using bias tape, as it helps ensure that the fabric remains in place.
Advantages of a Walking Foot
A walking foot is a great tool for anyone who is frequently working on larger projects such as quilts and garments. It helps eliminate the need for basting and pinning layers of fabric, which can be a time-consuming task. It also reduces the risk of skipped stitches as the two rows of feed dogs prevent fabric slipping or bunching.
Using a walking foot also makes quilting easier and faster, as it helps to ensure that fabric layers stay in place while you are quilting. The walking foot is also helpful when working on projects with curved edges, as it helps to evenly distribute fabric layers and prevent them from slipping or bunching.
It is also helpful for sewing with tricky fabrics such as monofilament, velvet or stretch fabrics. The walking foot helps to keep these fabrics in place and prevents skipped stitches.
Using a Walking Foot Correctly
When using a walking foot it is important to ensure that the tension is adjusted correctly, as this will affect how smoothly the fabric layers feed through. It is also important to ensure that the presser foot and the walking foot are lined up correctly, as this will prevent fabric layers from shifting or bunching.
In addition, it is important to use the correct needle size and type for your project. For quilting, a 80/12 or 90/14 needle is generally best. It is also important to ensure that the needle is correctly inserted into the machine, as an uneven needle can cause skipped stitches.
Caring for a Walking Foot
In order to ensure that your walking foot is in good working condition, it is important to keep it clean and lubricated. This will help to reduce friction, prevent skipped stitches and ensure that the fabric layers feed through smoothly.
It is important to clean your walking foot after each use, and to inspect it for any signs of wear or damage. It is also important to lubricate the foot before each use, as this will help to reduce friction and improve its performance.
Accessories and Replacement Parts
When buying a replacement walking foot, it is important to make sure that it is compatible with your sewing machine. It is also helpful to keep a few accessories on hand to attach to the walking foot. These can include a hem guide, quilt guide and binder foot.
It is also important to ensure that the replacement parts are of good quality and are designed for your specific machine. This will help ensure that the foot performs as it should and lasts for a long time.
Buying a Walking Foot
When buying a walking foot for your machine, it is important to consider the project that you intend to use it for. Most machines come with a walking foot as standard, but there are many different types and brands available to choose from.
It is also important to check the compatibility of the foot with your machine and the projects that you plan to use it for. It is also helpful to read reviews online to make sure that you are investing in a good quality foot.
Using a Walking Foot with Other Sewing Tools
In addition to a walking foot, there are many other tools that are useful when sewing with a sewing machine. These can include a cording foot, which helps to create cording on fabric and can also be used to create tucks and pleats. There are also quilting tools such as ruler foot and stencils that can help you create beautiful patterns when quilting.
Using a walking foot in combination with other tools and accessories can help to create professional-looking projects. It is important to consider the type of project you are working on and determine which tools will be most useful.
Conclusion
A walking foot is a great tool for any sewer who is working on projects with multiple layers of fabric. It helps to evenly feed the fabric layers through the machine, and can also be used with monofilament, stretch fabrics, and velvet. It is important to ensure that the walking foot is compatible with the sewing machine, that the tension is adjusted correctly, and that it is used in combination with other tools to create professional-looking projects.
