The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Machine Accessories => Topic started by: Lolli on April 16, 2018, 13:32:43 PM

Title: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 16, 2018, 13:32:43 PM
I'm occasionally having issues whilst sewing lycra in that sometimes the top layer doesn't move through the machine the same as the bottom layer. It sort of gets pushed out of place from the pressure of the foot.
I'm presuming a walking foot would prevent this?
I've seen the genuine Janome ones are quite expensive and that there are cheaper versions available. Are they just as good as the Janome ones or would I regret buying one?
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Ohsewsimple on April 16, 2018, 13:47:09 PM
Walking feet are generally expensive.  But I would stick with the correct one for the machine.  So called Universal feet often don't fit properly, don't cover the feed dogs the way they should and can damage your machine.  They are often made from inferior materials.   There's a reason one is dirt
cheap and the branded one isn't!  I wouldn't risk my machine.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Iminei on April 16, 2018, 13:58:11 PM
Yes the WF are expensive but they make the world of difference!
Invest in one and your whole sewing life will change for the better x
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: b15erk on April 16, 2018, 14:20:25 PM
I have an integrated walking foot on my Pfaff, and it's excellent especially for jersey, lycra, and stretch fabrics.  I have used a generic one on my Singer Featherweight and it seemed to work well too.

Jessie

Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Marniesews on April 16, 2018, 16:04:24 PM
I got a Bernina walking foot & it means I now sew lycra with it hence I've used my Pfaff less frequently since then.

Shortly before that I got a generic one to try on my Singers and loaned it to a friend to use on her F+R Cub 7. She was using straight stitch but it has a wide opening for zigzag so that was safe too with her 5mm zigzag width. It worked extremely well, couldn't fault it & really don't see how it would have damaged a machine as long as you've hand turned it through several revolutions to ensure it operates smoothly/easily, the timing/fit is right & your needle clears the opening cleanly with straight & zigzag. Even with the Bernina wf I don't sew too fast.

She kept it for months & used it all the time, which was absolutely fine by me having bought the Bernina one.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 16, 2018, 18:06:00 PM
Thanks all for your replies. Would there be just one for all Janome's? As my machine is an SMD1000 I'm not sure if there's certain ones for certain models and if that is the case I'll probably have to contact SMD to find out which one is right for mine.
Seen as I know nothing about them or how to use them, I had a look on Google and some said generic ones where just as good but I'm a bit dubious. I'd hate to break my machine and I'd have to make sure it could be returned if it was no good.
I'm presuming they come with instuctions for people who have no clue whatsoever? :S
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Iminei on April 16, 2018, 18:20:07 PM
Janomes are either category A B C or D  and the feet should match the category ...

Janome categories (https://www.coulingsewingmachines.co.uk/janome-acc/232-janome-foot-category-information-a-b-c-d.html)
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 16, 2018, 18:58:42 PM
Oh brilliant, mine's listed! Thanks @Iminei you are a genius   :*

I do see it as an investment so I don't mind paying out for a Janome one, just wanted to get people's advice on whether generic are just as good. I'll do a bit more research I think.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Pearl on April 16, 2018, 19:18:27 PM
I bought one of the generic ones, @Lolli.  It makes my machine sound like a lawnmower.  False economy, methinks.   :S
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 16, 2018, 19:31:05 PM
I bought one of the generic ones, @Lolli.  It makes my machine sound like a lawnmower.  False economy, methinks.   :S

Really? That doesn't sound good  :S

Are they quite easy to use? They look daunting to me.
I'll have to watch some YouTube videos I think.

Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Iminei on April 17, 2018, 09:14:20 AM
I quite like the click, click, click you get as it trundles along (caused by the arm going up and down with the needle bar)

In fact even though The Splurgess has some integrated even feed gizmo that you can switch on, I often use my old walking foot as switching to the even feed stops you using the more decorative switches (dont know why) whereas using the WF I can still use the Serpentine stitch etc.

The only thing you have to learn @Lolli is how to attach the foot, which can be a bit fiddly ... after that you just ... sew!
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 17, 2018, 09:31:06 AM
I've been sewing all my life (on and off) and only discovered the walking foot about a year ago - I can't believe how amazing they are!  And they are fit and forget, just sew as normal.
I would like to suggest that if you plan to sew with lycra/stretch fabrics quite a bit, then get an overlocker, another revelation for me! Makes sewing stretchy stuff an absolute doddle  0_0
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 17, 2018, 09:36:26 AM
I do want an overlocker, that's next on my shopping list  :D

I've heard of wf many times, sounds like something I need in my life. If once fitted you just sew as normal, sounds easier than I thought.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: b15erk on April 17, 2018, 12:45:57 PM
Lolli, I have been unable to fix my spare overlocker, so, a couple of weeks ago, I bought a Singer one from Lidl for £129.

When I took it home, whatever I did, the blade refused to cut, so I took it back.  Lidl exchanged it immediately, and I have had no repeat of the problem with the first machine. The second machine is working beautifully.

For £129 it is very good, and these machines are still selling on Ebay for up to £229!

Jessie

Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 17, 2018, 16:41:47 PM
Really? I wouldn't have expected that for such a low price. I thought to get a decent one I'd be looking at at least £350 for one.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 17, 2018, 23:50:16 PM
This may well be a daft question but do you keep the walking foot on your machines for sewing most things or just certain fabrics?
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: arrow on April 18, 2018, 00:18:51 AM
I have a walking foot for my Singer 201, it's a straight stitch only model and doesn't have the overlock and over cast patterns you might want on jersey. I use it mostly when sewing layers of fabric, if they aren't pinned well enough or very slippery they might sort of go out of alignment. The attachment goes on when needed, and comes off for regular jobs.

I have an old Singer 99 I can sew light weight  jersey, even flimsy viscose-cotton-elastane blends. It's the most basic machine possible, straight stitch only, but when I lower the presser bar tension it stitches most fabrics with out any fuzz. It doesn't stretch the fabric or act up when other macines have. I think it might have something to do with the narrow foot too, I'm not sure. I haven't found a very good explanation for it since most other machines are much more advanced, with all kinds of functions and features in comparison. My point is really, if you play around with settings, perhaps baste by hand, or use more pins there might be away round it. The advantage with an overlocker is mostly the multiple needle stitch patterns with more loops and threads are different to basic machine. An overlocker can act up in much the same ways as the basic sewing machine, especially with slippery strechy fabrics.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Marniesews on April 18, 2018, 02:12:28 AM
...do you keep the walking foot on your machines for sewing most things or just certain fabrics?

I don't use it as much for wovens which accounts for the lesser part of my sewing but pretty well keep it on there permanently for stretch. I can't use it in combination with other feet, of course, so that's when I sometimes revert to my big Pfaff.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: fajita on April 18, 2018, 07:52:54 AM
My walking foot came with my sewing machine, as part of the package.

I use it when using several layers of fabric at once, or when sewing pvc backed type materials.

I use it on an as need basis, I don't keep it attached all the time.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 18, 2018, 08:23:38 AM
Great thank you, I'm going to shop for one tonight
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Iminei on April 18, 2018, 08:36:28 AM
This may well be a daft question but do you keep the walking foot on your machines for sewing most things or just certain fabrics?

I have done this on The Splurgess ...once.

I left it on after a days sewing, came to it the next day and turned her on ...

Now the Splurgess does a series of movements when first switched on ... think someone doing warming up stretches before exercising ... and she didn't like it one bit ... she made a terrible noise and flashed up various error messages which basically amounted to ...Dont ever leave that F*** foot on me overnight again ... so now I don't!

(or at least if I find I have, I remove the foot before waking her up!)

She's fine with the integrated WF that came with her (a much slimmer foot)... but the standard WF is too bulky and doesn't allow her to do her stretches properly.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 18, 2018, 09:47:54 AM
Haha! Enough said.....remove the foot  0_0
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 18, 2018, 18:45:09 PM
Bought one! Got a genuine Janome WF and found the best price from SMD. I know their customer service is great so I'm happy  :D
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 23, 2018, 18:58:10 PM
So the foot has arrived and all I can say is thank fluff for YouTube because I had no idea how to put it on! All sorted now and it's on ready to try out but before I break it on my first attempt at using it (believe me, it's possible), is there anything I shouldn't use it for?
Can I use zigzag and tricot stitch?
Should I take it off when sewing elastic on a leotard?
Is it literally only for sewing two or more layers together?
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Iminei on April 23, 2018, 19:10:23 PM
I have no idea about tricot stitch  (??) but as long as you have a zigzag plate on your machine you can sew zigzag with your WF.

I always use an open-toed walking foot but imagine that a normal WF can do zigzag (check it has a suitable slit opening before you do that) and its for sewing three or more layers together and fabrics that would otherwise tend to creep, such as Velvet.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: arrow on April 23, 2018, 19:15:52 PM
If you have the regular walking foot it should zigzag with out any trouble. The only possible problem is when you get one for a straight stitch machines, it will go on a zigzag machine but I don't think there is needle hole for zigzag on any of them. They are mostly made to fit the narrower feed dogs on vintage straight stitchers, so anything might be possible.

Try it out with any stitch patter you think might be practical. It should work with any fabric or layers of fabric that easily fits under the presser foot.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 23, 2018, 19:27:12 PM
I've primarily bought it for sewing lycra as it seems to shift under the normal foot. It appears to have the space for zigzag stitch and so I think if it will sew that it will also do tricot. Well here goes!....

(it looks like it's going to eat me)  0_0
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: BrendaP on April 23, 2018, 19:41:21 PM
Attach the walking foot then set your machine for the widest zig-zag and hand crank it (using the balance wheel on the side) for a couple of stitches.  If the needle clears the foot OK then you can use it with any stich your machine can make - except maybe the obvious, buttonholes.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: arrow on April 23, 2018, 19:54:58 PM
I should of course have thought of it  :o  , back stitching might be a problem and the tricot stitch has a lot of it. Some types seem to easily guides the fabric along with out much action on the fabric, others have more of a grip. You just have to try and see how it behaves.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 23, 2018, 21:27:53 PM
and its for sewing three or more layers together and fabrics that would otherwise tend to creep, such as Velvet.
Three layers?  I used mine for two and it made a big difference  :)
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 23, 2018, 21:47:25 PM
Attach the walking foot then set your machine for the widest zig-zag and hand crank it (using the balance wheel on the side) for a couple of stitches.  If the needle clears the foot OK then you can use it with any stich your machine can make - except maybe the obvious, buttonholes.

@BrendaP if I had any sense I would have done that. As it happens I don't, so I just went for it instead. Fortunately for me (and my machine) it was fine. I tried a medium zigzag first, then tricot on width 5 and it was all good. I used lycra so I could see how much difference it makes with shifting and I'm pleased to say it worked great.

I just want to check, if I'm in the process of making a leotard would I take the WF off to sew the elastic in?

I should of course have thought of it  :o  , back stitching might be a problem and the tricot stitch has a lot of it. Some types seem to easily guides the fabric along with out much action on the fabric, others have more of a grip. You just have to try and see how it behaves.

@arrow so whilst using the WF I shouldn't backstitch to secure stitches?
I hope my Tricot stitch means the same to everyone else here. In my manual it's a 3 step zigzag?
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: arrow on April 23, 2018, 22:01:45 PM
Three step zigzag is fine, it's the stretchy stitch patterns, (single needle over lock patterns) and a few of the decorative that might be disrupted by the forward motion of the walking foot. The patterns were you see the fabric moves something like two step forwards and one step back you might get into trouble with a walking foot. You might get away with a short reverse for securing the stitches, or just a few stitches at zero stitch length.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 23, 2018, 22:23:40 PM
That's great thank you. I only ever use straight, zigzag or 3-step zigzag on my machine, I've not needed to use any of the others (yet). I'll try a a couple of of reverse stitches on a scrap piece of fabric to check it's o.k.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Iminei on April 24, 2018, 12:11:45 PM
Three layers?  I used mine for two and it made a big difference

@Bodgeitandscarper

Were they fabrics with nap? ie Velvet

Because when sewing, using a standard foot, you are (generally) sewing two layers of fabric together ...
the top fabric (as I understand) piggybacks on the bottom fabric which is moved by the feed dogs, which doesn't happen so well when you have a third layer in the way ...

hence the invention of lil feed dogs to move the top layer ie the walking foot
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 24, 2018, 13:15:34 PM
Three layers?  I used mine for two and it made a big difference

@Bodgeitandscarper

Were they fabrics with nap? ie Velvet

Because when sewing, using a standard foot, you are (generally) sewing two layers of fabric together ...
the top fabric (as I understand) piggybacks on the bottom fabric which is moved by the feed dogs, which doesn't happen so well when you have a third layer in the way ...

hence the invention of lil feed dogs to move the top layer ie the walking foot
I just used it on various woven fabrics - and it stopped that "creep" on long seams where you end up with one piece of fabric about an inch longer than the other - obviously I never pin or baste seams #bodgeit

Oh, and I never gave it a second thought when I backstitched at the end of a seam, worked perfectly well :-)
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: arrow on April 24, 2018, 13:33:31 PM
A walking foot can make a differene. For simpler seams you can align the layers before you start stitching, by placing the fabric under the foot, needle in place, they lift the fabric up, stretch it slightly. It works well on regular fabrics like cotton, and it's easy to do it as you go a long. For slippery fabrics I pin a lot, with or with out a walking foot, but I usually take out the needles before it goes under the walking foot. For regular fabrics seams shouldn't be that bad, for quilting I there's always lots of layers and no pinning, the walking foot turns out a must.
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lulu on April 30, 2018, 23:23:50 PM
@Lolli
Thanks for this thread..I made sure I had a WF as someone mentioned it was good for stretchy fabrics, but I have been too afraid to use it! I feel a lot better informed now, thanks everyone!  :D
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: Lolli on April 30, 2018, 23:55:59 PM
@Lolli
I have been too afraid to use it!

I was too! It looks like it would either eat me or the fabric lol. Once you've got it on it's just the same as sewing with a normal foot and it really does stop the fabric from creeping
Title: Re: Walking Foot
Post by: BrendaP on April 30, 2018, 23:57:56 PM
If you are sewing something which requires a slightly longer length to be eased into a slightly shorter length as one seam, ie a sleeve cap which is lightly longer than the armscye it makes sense to not use a walking foot and to have the longer side next to the feed dogs as they will help feed the lower layer through slightly quicker.