The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Machine Accessories => Topic started by: jk1066 on October 18, 2019, 14:59:57 PM

Title: walking foot
Post by: jk1066 on October 18, 2019, 14:59:57 PM
I already have a walking foot for an older elna sewing machine now Janome I believe. It is low shank I assume. Will this fit a singer tradition  - a machine  that is lightweight for taking to classes. How specific do these attachments have to be? or is the fact it is low shank sufficient?
thanks
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: Lilian on October 18, 2019, 18:47:44 PM
I have also wondered if my elna walking foot will fit and old singer.  I think to look at the measurement from the screw in the needle shaft down to the plate, if they do not match it could damage the machine.  >:)
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: KayK on October 18, 2019, 19:32:51 PM
I think you might need to check the width of the feed dogs and the feed on the walking foot.  I have a really hefty walking foot for my Juki, but it won't fit anything else.  I also have a walking foot for my 'newer' Bernina, and it is really wide!
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: HenriettaMaria on October 19, 2019, 15:07:56 PM
I was pleasantly surprised to find my 1999 Brother walking foot worked on my 1970's Singer.  However, since the rolled hem foot for the Singer fitted the Brother, the only unknown was whether or not the fork that engages with the needle clamp would do the job.  It did.

Try it and see.  The worst that can happen is that nothing happens!
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: Sara-S on October 21, 2019, 11:54:47 AM
The walking foot I have for my Singer is a generic product and it works just fine. So it's certainly possible for yours to work.
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: BrendaP on October 21, 2019, 18:04:28 PM
If they are both low shank then it should fit, but as already pointed out, check that the feed dogs on the machine match with the feed on the walking foot.  I can physically attach my Husqvarna walking foot to the  :vintage: Singer 201, but the teeth don't match so it doesn't work properly.
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: pip on November 28, 2019, 02:17:06 AM
I got a generic one from ebay and just tried it today, and it works!  There were 2 sizes and I measured on the feed which size I needed. Apart from that, it seems that a generic one would usually be ok, and much cheaper! I'm loving using it although I did confirm what I had read but forgotten, that you can't reverse with a walking foot! I'm using it to sew with PUL for diaper covers. On the regular foot the needle thread kept coming out, but with this it's fine. I watched a good video clip which mentioned about before attaching the walker foot you have to remove the shank that's already on the machine. If I hadn't seen that tip, I would never have known.
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: Lilian on November 28, 2019, 16:22:09 PM
Thats great to hear @pip  :) I haven't looked at mine yet but I also have a generic walking foot to try on my other machines  :) :vintage:
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: pip on November 30, 2019, 04:50:21 AM
You can save a lot of money getting the generic one, and I bet it works just as well :|
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: Ohsewsimple on November 30, 2019, 13:03:15 PM
I would be very careful about using generic feet.  There's a reason they are cheap!  Often these feet appear to work but they don’t always cover the feed dogs properly.  Your machine can be expensive so it’s a false economy to buy cheap access and ruin your machine.  If your machine is under warranty you would probably be voiding it by using one of these if something went wrong.
https://sewingmastery.com/can-i-use-generic-presser-feet-on-my-sewing-machine/
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: So Chic on November 30, 2019, 14:19:08 PM
I agree with Ohsewsimple, generic feet are a waste of money as they are often poorly made and can cause damage to a machine because they don't fit properly.  I don't think it's a risk worth taking just to save not very much money.
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: pip on December 07, 2019, 02:25:46 AM
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that -<
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: pip on December 07, 2019, 02:48:55 AM
Actually the overlocker I bought might be the 'cheaper option'. I got it on ebay for $ 300 AUD (free postage!) Near where I live there's sewing shop where they also have lessons and workshops. I was excited to go and check it out for the first time, especially as they only stock Jenome. My excitement evaporated when the lady I spoke to about the workshops asked me where I bought the machine, and when I said 'ebay' she was very disapproving. She said where I got it from wasn't the actual Janome,  just a shop, and I wouldn't have warranty (I do have warranty). She said if I'd got it from her shop I would have got free lessons with it and follow up service. I quickly realized that if I signed up for one of her workshops I'd never hear the end of the fact that I'd done a stupid thing not getting it at her shop!

I don't actually care about missing out on the free lessons etc as the machine is actually a proper Jenome and I'm very happy with it. They also stocked quilting fabric for $30 per metre, whereas I'd just recently got some on clearance at Spotlight (our main fabric shop here)  for $4 per metre. I think the shop I bought it from on ebay is a Janome shop just like hers anyway. I don't know if I'm missing something but I thought it was a good deal ><
Title: Re: walking foot
Post by: arrow on January 05, 2020, 22:05:54 PM
How are you doing?

I think I would take a chance on a generic, Singer feet aren't that expensive either. I would of course check and test sew carefully to see if it worked with the machine.

I have ruined a jumping embroidery foot I borrowed from my Elna Supermatic. It's in theory a basic low shank, but the angle for the finger on the attachment to the needle clamp can be wrong enough to do damage. Zigzag width can be an issue, as well as needle position, but these attachmetns can be oddly compatible between brands.

There too many models even among the Singer and Janome brand, you need to choose carefully to be absolutely sure.