Lately, quite a few people have asked me all sorts of questions about various sewing machine feet: what they are, how they work, what sort of foot they need, the differences between the different version, and whether the foot they have in mind will fit their machine. The list goes on…..So here is a brief article, an overview on various foot for your sewing machine – hopefully it will get you thinking about exploring what might be possible with your machine with a new presser foot!
Ok, let’s get started (and you can find the individual foot HERE):
Here’s a list of characteristics of each foot, and what they’re best for:

Also referred to as an “Even Feed” foot, a walking foot is a design specifically for sewing multiple layers of fabric together… that’s what you want when you do Machine Quilting and putting bindings on your quilt.

It is also very useful for matching patterns like large motifs, checks, stripes, and plaids. If you sewing anything on the bias, or use ‘fluid’ kinds of fabric like silks and satins, you will get a smoother result by sewing with a walking foot.

Here’s a guide that shows you how to attach the walking foot ( the same method applies to other screw-on feet).



The full name is “Universal Adjustable Tape / Bias Binding Foot”. Use the dials and adjust the foot to suit various width of bindings.

A VERY specialised tool, all this foot does is put bindings around the cut edge of the fabric (often a contrast colour, might even be in completely different weight / type).

Using this foot ensures your binding is always neat and professional-looking; without any hand tacking or excessive pinning.

1/4″ or Quarter Inch Foot

Also known as a “Patchwork Foot”, this quarter inch foot has a built-in guide that keeps your fabric in-line… a consistent, accurate seam allowance that is exactly 1/4 inch (or 6.3mm)… no matter how fast you sew!

In dressmaking, a 1/4″ (or 6.3mm) seam allowance is perfect for curved edges like armholes and collars. Also useful in French Seams, it’s easy to achieve neat and accurate results every time.

This foot is also great for making fabric bags and hats, where you would generally use an iron-on interfacing, and therefore need a smaller seam… this is also handy for cloth doll, “softies” or teddy bear making.

Free-Motion Darning Foot

Also known as a “Stippling Foot” or “Free-Motion Embroidery Foot”, it is design specifically to NOT use the feed dog by dropping it or covering it.

Since there is no contact between your quilt and the machine between stitches, it gives you maximum freedom to quilt or embroider any kind of curve line as you wish.

If you are a quilter, then you will need to use this foot for free-hand machine quilting or “stippling”.

Open Toe Applique Foot

Sometimes called an “Open Toe Embroidery Foot”, the open front ensures greater visibility while sewing, it has a stitching area wide enough for maximum stitch width without compromising control.

Perfect for applique, the bottom of the foot has a rectangular shaped indentation, which allows even satin / blanket stitching to glide under the foot without dragging.

The toes of the foot are shorter, compared to a regular zigzag foot. This makes it easier for those who would like to try machine embroidery before completely going free-hand on the darning foot (kinda like a training wheel for learning machine embroidery… if you like).

Roller Foot for Denim / Velvet / Leather

As its name suggests, this foot has rollers that roll on top the fabric – it’s very much like the track on a bulldozer (but much gentler) for sewing up and over heavy seams and uneven surfaces.

Roller Sewing Machine Presser Foot is effective for preventing difficult or heavy fabric from slipping or puckering or jamming up under the foot, because the presser foot rotates to feed the upper layer together with the lower layer. Excellent for denim, velvet or leather!

Button Hole Foot

With this foot you don’t need to make buttonhole markings – instead, use the red measurements to make a properly sized buttonhole – plain or corded.

The grips on the underside of the foot help feed your fabric for a beautiful result.

The sliding frame of the foot provides improved fabric guidance while the buttonhole is being stitched.

The red marker (slide) makes it very easy to reproduce identical buttonholes when you have a basic machine which does not have automatic button hole functions.

Cording Foot

This foot is used to installed one to three cords lengths in place for cording.

You can embellish cushions, garments, or whatever you like with this amazingly easy to use foot.

Try different threads, cords and fabric combination to creat one-of-a-kind result. Have some fun with it….

Gathering Foot

Use this foot for lightly gathering fabric as well as attaching the gathered edge to a flat (ungathered) fabric – at the same time – quickly and easily.

The gathering foot will allow you to gently ease or slightly gather fabric for various garment and home decorating applications.

However, if you are looking at creating fuller / heavier gathers / ruffles, then it is best to try a “ruffler”.

Narrow Hem Foot

This foot will give your projects a bespoke finish, by creating beautiful narrow rolled hems on lightweight fabric, which could be extremely tedious if done by hand (could you imagine even trying…?)

Like all specilty finishes, be sure to test your chosen fabric / thread / needle before commencing, so that you can be 100% confident that your narrow hem will come out every bit as professional as it could!

Low Shank Snap-on Foot Adaptor

Most of the general presser feet that come with your sewing machine are “Snap-On” or “Clip-On”. There would have been one of these on your machine if you purchased a new machine.

This one simply provides a back-up, in case you cannot locate your original one after taking it off to put on a “screw-on” foot such as your walking foot or darning foot.

Not having an adaptor simply means you CANNOT use any snap-on feet – which would be most of the feet that came with your sewing machine.

Can you live without one?

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