A walking foot is an attachment for a sewing machine. It is a mechanical device used to even up the feed of fabric as it is being stitched. This foot is also commonly known as a ‘even feed foot’ or ‘dual feed foot’. It is most popularly used when working with heavier fabrics which can be difficult to sew with a regular presser foot. The walking foot moves independently from the presser foot and ensures fabric layers feed evenly into the sewing machine. This is especially important for preventing puckering and stretching as you sew.
Experts agree that the walking foot is an essential accessory for anyone with thick fabrics to sew. It is particularly important for quilters and sewists to use when piecing together fabric that has been heavily quilted or stitched with decorative darning designs. In professional settings, such as tailoring, the walking foot is also used in order to stitch thicker hems or topstitching. The walking foot helps to sew a number of layers of fabric with more ease when compared to using a regular presser foot.
The walking foot is designed with a set of feed dogs underneath it that moves in unison with the presser foot. This helps guide the fabric as it passes through the machine and creates a smoother and consistent finish to stitching. The feed dogs are wider than those found on a regular presser foot which helps minimize fabric slipping, bunching up and puckering that can occur when working with heavier fabrics.
The walking foot is a great tool for both novice sewists as well as experienced sewists. It makes light work of heavy fabrics and helps to provide an even finish for garments, curtains, and upholstery. Additionally, it allows for greater control of the fabric and a reduction of strain on the sewing machine.
The walking foot attachment is normally available as an accessory for most domestic sewing machines, however there may be some models that do not accommodate the foot. It is important to check with your machine vendor before purchasing this accessory to make sure the walking foot is compatible with your machine.
Different Kinds of Walking Feet
The walking foot attachment is available in various models which are designed to fit a wide range of machines. Each foot is designed slightly differently and can also come with additional features such as a raised sole plate and/or adjustable needle positions. For example, a quilting foot is designed with a wide, flat sole plate to help evenly feed multiple layers of fabric through the needle plate. Likewise, a patchwork foot is designed with a stepped sole plate which helps to evenly feed pieces of fabric together when sewing a patchwork quilt.
It is also possible to purchase a walking foot attachment with a low shank or a high shank, depending on the model of your sewing machine. The shank is the portion of the foot that connects the foot to the presser bar of the sewing machine. To make sure you buy the correct attachment for your machine model, it is important to measure the height and depth of the presser bar.
In addition to the feet mentioned above, there are also specialty feet available such as a beading foot, a gathering foot and a cord guide foot. Each foot is designed to make stitching easier and with greater precision by helping to feed fabric evenly as it is being stitched.
Care and Maintenance of Walking Feet
In order to ensure that the walking foot attachment remains in peak condition, regular maintenance and cleaning is necessary. After each sewing project, the walking foot should be cleaned of all thread, lint and fabric pieces by using a lint brush. Additionally, the walking foot should also be lubricated with a quality sewing machine oil to ensure it runs smoothly. This will also help to prevent the attachment from jamming up or becoming clogged with fabric pieces.
When storing the walking foot, it is best to keep it away from any direct sunlight or heat which can cause the foot to dry out and become brittle. It is also important to keep any dirt or dust away from the foot as this can cause the foot to malfunction and wear out faster.
Benefits of Using a Walking Foot
The most obvious benefit of using a walking foot is the even stitching that can be achieved with heavier fabrics and quilting projects. With the added feed pressure of the walking foot, the fabric moves through the machine with less build-up reducing the chances of puckering and uneven stitching. This also helps to reduce the strain on the sewing machine as the thicker fabrics are being sewn.
Additionally, the walking foot can help to provide precise stitching over curved shapes and areas with difficult topstitching. A major benefit of machine quilting with the walking foot is that it produces very precise and evenly spaced stitching lines ideal for creating intricate geometric patterns. For instance, an even feed foot can help to evenly sew channel quilting designs with greater precision than a regular machine foot.
As with any sewing project, practice and patience are essential when using a walking foot. It can take some time to get used to the different pressure and speed, however, once you are familiar with the process you will be able to achieve greater accuracy and speed the process of completing your sewing projects.
When to Avoid Using a Walking Foot
The walking foot can be a great asset to have when sewing thick fabrics and quilting, however, it is not ideal for all situations. For instance, when working with sheer fabrics, such as organza, silk or chiffon, it is best to use a regular presser foot as the pressure from the walking foot can tear and damage these fabrics.
Likewise, when working with satin and delicate fabrics a regular foot is the better choice as the walking foot attachment will require more pressure during the sewing process and can cause unsightly puckering and damage. Additionally, the walking foot is not ideal for working with stretch fabrics as it can cause the fabric to stretch as it is being stitched and distort the stitching lines.
Tips and Tricks for Using a Walking Foot
When using the walking foot, it is important to make sure the feed dogs beneath the foot move with the presser foot. This can be achieved by ensuring the walking foot attachment is firmly attached to the presser bar and the feed dogs are engaged with the machine.
When stitching with the walking foot, it is also important to use a longer stitch length than you would normally use as the heavy pressure of the foot can compress and distort the fabric if too much tension is applied. Additionally, it is best to start with a few practice runs on scrap fabric to make sure everything is calibrated correctly and the fabric is not being pulled in different directions or distorted.
Slow and steady stitching is also recommended when using the walking foot as the larger foot can cause heavy fabrics to move quickly and can potentially cause the fabric to start bunching up. To prevent this from happening, it is important to stitch slowly and with intention in order to keep the layers of fabric even while they are being stitched.
Conclusion
The walking foot is an essential device for sewists and quilters who regularly work with heavier fabrics. The independent feed dogs beneath the foot evenly feed fabric layers as they are stitched to help reduce bunching, puckering and distortion. It is important to buy the correct foot for your machine and to make sure it is regularly maintained and cleaned to ensure it stays in top condition. The use of the walking foot can take some practice and patience, however, when used correctly it can provide neat and even stitching, even on difficult fabrics.
