I was working my my nieces bow tuck bag this evening and my walking foot broke :( My machine seizes with the foot attached. I took the foot apart thinking it needed to be cleaned but there are so many little pieces and I think I lost a couple little pieces and now I can't get it back together. I'm so sad. I have to order a new one now and there are no local shops that carry accessories for my machine so I have to order it online...

I just needed to vent...I think I'll go cry and bury my walking foot in the backyard :(

sending you lots of {{{{{HUGS}}}}} there is nothing worse than when things break and we try to fix them and it makes it worse. I am so sorry. it will be okay. just use your machine with the 1/4" foot or another foot that you can mark the 1/4" mark.

It's not so much the 1/4 " part I'm worried about, the bow tuck is thick and it won't feed through without the walking foot. Who knows how long it will take for it to come in if I order it, and this is supposed to be a gift for christmas :(

Don't cry. It will be okay. Just remember to ask yourself...."In five years will this really matter?"
Good thougths coming your way.

I'm sorry to hear tis so close to Christmas. Just my 2 cents maybe you should order 2 or 3 if you can just in case?

David

I would, but money is very tight so I'll only be able to get one. I'm hoping to not pay an arm and a leg for it. I'm taking the machine to Joann's tomorrow in hope they have a generic walking foot that will fit my machine.

Forget the walking foot. Put on your darning foot and free-motion quilt.

Good idea QuiltSage. That would be better since pushing it thru wouldn't be an issue. If you cant find a walking foot take QuiltSage's idea and finish your project with what you have. Good luck.

Check Hancock ... they have walking feet as well ... so there may be a generic there ... if you have a Hancock ...

When I ordered mine online, I had it in no time flat ... I pray you get yours quickly!

What kind of machine do you have ? Perhaps someone here
might have an extra?

I didn't use a walking foot on mine and had no problems had to pull a little to get it started.

I have to wait for christmas for my walking foot because mine was broke too. I make several bow tucks with out it. They turned out fine and didn't have a problem sewing them. I just took my time and went slower.

Sorry for your troubles. Hugs coming your way!

I don't know what kind of machine you have, but any walking foot breakage or problems I've heard about have always seemed to be with "generic" feet. I know they're more expensive, but you should really consider the foot made by and for your machine.

What machine do you have?

FYI- when my walking foot broke the repair man said it was from using it on thick fabric (like bags). He said it isn't meant for using like that. When I make my bags (50 or so per year) I never use the walking foot. I've found that the most important thing is a good needle, even a jeans needle if the fabric is really thick.

Pat

Jennifer, I can't relate with the foot breakage but I would go with the free motion darning foot. Sounds like the most logical.
Good Luck with the bag, have faith, you can do it!

My heart goes out to you, I couldn't live without mine.

I used a 1/4" foot for making my Bow Tucks purses and I used double sided prequilted fabric on mine also. Joanns seel a generic walking foot. I got my sister one and she loves it. It's for a low shank tho.

I'm not so sure I'd swallow this as a reason it broke. Walking feet are designed to go over at least 3 layers-thick batting and 2 layers of fabric. I lean more to a poorly manufactured product. Yes, the right needle is important. But a weak needle would break. It wouldn't cause the walking foot to fall apart.

(((HUGS))) If you must wait for the foot to finish your gifts, could you give a special card with an IOU? I am betting that the recipients wouldn't mind and it would relieve a lot of stress for you. That would also make the Christmas season last that much longer for all of you! :)

I don't have a darning foot and I can't find one for my machine :(

My machine is a Brother LS-2125i, the cheapest you can get and I've had it about 5 years.

I say it will be there quickly! Find another project that needs done and you will be ready finish your project when the foot gets to you. Don't stress!

I would check on line. Ebay is a great source and you can have express shipping.

Well, thanks to my mom, my brother and my mother-in-law giving me cash for my birthday (which is tomorrow) I was able to go to Joann's and I got a much better quality walking foot (Viking) and free motion quilting foot!! I'm a very very happy girl now! Thank you all for your suggestions and support, I know this board is part of my life for a reason!

That is awesome!!! :)

I had a generic walking foot and thought it was fine until I borrowed a top of the line walking foot in a quilt class. What a difference. The good walking foot cost much more for a reason.

totally agree, hugs.

Oh cruddds. I hate it when your going along so well and something like that happens. So sorry to hear that. I wish I could give you mine. I would if I could. Maybe you know someone nearby that will loan you one?
Well try to have a good day. I hope everything works out.

Read above, it's been taken care of :)

Hey thats Awesome! And an advanced HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :-D

The new walking foot was $35 and the free motion quilting foot was $25. Money well spent I think. My old walking foot had a lot of plastic on it, this one is all metal except the casing. I couldn't be more happy now!

Funny you say that about will it matter in 5 years, I say that alot too!!!

Thank you very much! I'll be 30 but I feel sooooo much older then that, lol!

HA! You're welcome Jennifer! You're a year younger than my baby girl! I would give anything to be 30 and know what I know now! You're photo is kind to you, you don't look your age. It must be the recent stress and the holidays, but set back, relax, take a deep breath and take one day at a time. Enjoy your young age while you can. I thank God I'm the age I am, I do look forward to my BD's each year because that means I've made it another year! So, have a beautiful day tomorrow and to smile, each day is a gift and anything that comes along could always be worse.
{{{HUGS}}} Momma_K...