The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Sewing Machines => Topic started by: SewRuthieSews on November 13, 2018, 08:25:18 AM
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So I finally bought a genuine walking foot for my machine (an older Janome), fitted it had a little practise with it and then took it off as needed zipper foot and buttonhole foot for things I was doing.
I'm not a quilter but a garment sewer. I bought it for use on trickier fabrics like faux leather, faux fur and velvet which tend to stick or walk. Though I used my Ultraglide (aka Teflon foot) for my recent faux leather work and it worked well.
What scenarios would the walking foot be good for? I want to make sure I'm using my investment wisely.
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Ive only used mine for Quilting but it should help on any sewing where you have several layers to sew together to help them through the machine.
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It can also be useful when sewing fabrics with checks or stripes as the walking action can prevent "creep" and keep the patterns matched.
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I keep my walking foot on all the time, and only changing it to the zipper foot when inserting zips.
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I use mine for the creepier sort of knit fabrics too, some of the jerseys which wriggle are better tamed with a walking foot. Otherwise, as you, I use it for velvets, and other tricky fabrics. (try stretch velvet, so much better with the WF). Mine came with my machine but I think I would have bought one anyway. It's a bit of a fiddle getting it on and off the machine (Bernina) but worth the effort. HTH x
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On my old machine I left it on all the time, unless I needed a zip or buttonhole foot.
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Aprospos nothing really except it is about the Janome Walking foot ...
I love the gentle click clack of the WF as the needle bar goes up and down; I find it very soothing when Im quilting away, even to the point that I will use the WF instead of the included IDT foot that came with The Splurgess, just for the sound of it!
Enjoy!!!
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I only quilt but have never been able to get on with a walking foot ( generic or specific ) so I gave up
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When I had an old straight stitch Singer, years ago, i had a zigzag attachment (a sort of sideways walking foot). It overlocked the edges of fraying material when I made trousers. Anyone else remember these?
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I've got one!
I did try using it once, but with a more modern (about 20 years old) machine that does swing needle zig-zag and an overlocker there's not much point in setting up the zig-zagger on a vintage machine. Also it didn't work as well as the buttonholer attachment.
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I have the Swiss zigagger for my 201K. It works as a basic walking foot on straight stitch setting, and it can make a difference on long seams and layers of slippery fabric. There are walking feet for the old straight stitchers too. I haven't had problems with leather, suede or bike seat faux leather yet, but like you say, there are teflon sheets and feet for sticky fabrics. A walking foot is ideal when you need to match up checkered and plaid fabrics flawlessly.
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Wouldn't a WF also be good for long seams, like making drapery, or even on the longer seams for trousers?
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Thanks for all the feedback.
My next project is a wool coat, don't know if it'll make much difference using a walking foot for that. Wool tends to be fairly well behaved.
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The advantage of IDT is that you can use a zipper foot with it. Then you can sew back in the opposite direction on the second side and there is no creep to make the zip unbalanced.
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I feel a small tut coming on @toileandtrouble ... Would you mind????
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Explain tut to me. As in tut, tut?
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She wants you to dress up as King Tutankhamun and take a photo for us.
With perfect zips, obviously.
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>< Honestly, only just finished my skirt and about to take photos. How long do you think for an Egyptian costume?
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Think I'd get a teflon foot for the faux leathers (did I mention that I am an enabler 0_0)
But walking foot I use, when I sew, on fabrics that are likely to creep when sewing, so knits or velvets mainly.
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I tend to leave mine on unless I need a special foot or I specifically want to ease in a seam.
But times when it seems especially useful are going through heavy layers or sewing across seams or other lumps. So topstitching a jacket edge say, or flat felling jeans seams. It also sews Lycra like a boss.
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I rarely use mine and I have 2 types which came with my Brother Dream. I prefer to just slip feet on and off the machine because I use a number of them. To me, it is like using the right screw driver. Sure several different screw drivers will probably get the job done for you, but the one which fits the screw head and can easily get into the work area, makes the job faster, easier; not a hated chore to be avoided but a quick adjustment. Anyway, my walking feet require more effort to put them on and off so I dont do it until they are really needed.