DM has a Jenome that she bought a few years ago for about $300.00. She thinks she needs a walking foot and does not want to buy a separate one for her machine. She does not want to fiddle with the walking foot attachment. Do you think a walking foot makes that much different in piecing quilt pieces? She is not doing any quilting... thanks for taking the time to give me your advice. I don't want her to spend any extra money if it does not make that much difference.

I have one on my pfaff and I love it. The other machine I use most doesn't have one and it does make a difference especially with flannels and stretchy fabric!

If she isn't going to do machine quilting I wouldn't think she'd need one. A regular foot is fine for piecing blocks.
Hope this helps! :)

I have a Janome for around the same price, bought it over ten years ago, wonderful machine.

I do use a walking foot on it and very happy to use it. You don't have to buy special Janome walking foot.

Go to any sears store and look for Kenmore Sewing machine attachments. There is a little box with a walking foot and a few other feet in it.

For only around $ 19.95. Kenmore is related to Janome, it will fit. I use the walking foot on my Janome and on my daughters Kenmore.

I use the foot when quilting on putting binding on.

Hope this will help, it's also not a biggie to attach the foot.

I agree! It also helps when you are sewing clothing and are using the fancy fabrics that slip and slide.

you definitely need a walking foot when putting on binding, and definitely if you do any stitch in the ditch. I think it's a must have

A walking foot comes in handy when sewing flannels and even clear plastic for totes.

I have gotten so I use the walking foot for my Juki more and more. I do not like uneven stitches and the walking foot really helps keep them nice and even.

I love mine.. Its sooooo worth it

I got a Pfaff because I was using stretch fabrics to make dance costumes,, Necessity!

You don't need a walking foot for ordinary piecing. Just for quilting.

I agree :)

Thanks, lovingmama, I did not know that- I will tell her...

love my pfaff +inbuilt walking foot------i have tried peicing with and without --big difference

I don't use a walking foot for piecing. If I had a Pfaff, I would use the built-in walking foot; however, for other machines it's too bulky. I just use a regular foot for piecing. A walking foot can be nice for quilting, though.

I have three Pfaff's, two with the built-in IDT (walking foot.) Guess which one doesn't get used? I would NEVER buy a machine without one whether you are sewing clothes, making quilts or anything else you might do on a sewing machine that uses more than one layer of fabric!

I have to agree. Much as I love my Vikings and Berninas, I would never, ever give up my Pfaff IDT machines. They make a huge difference to my piecing.

I don't know about other machines w/ built in walking feet. But my Janome 6600P has one and it's not any easier to put the special feet on than it is a regular walking foot. You still have to switch them out if you use a regular foot (which I do for piecing).

A walking foot helps if you are sewing together stretchy fabrics or when your pieces are a little "baggy". It can help ease the fabrics together and not have a pucker. I personally never take mine off unless I'm doing free motion or need zipper foot.

I have two Pfaffs just for their IDT feet (the Pfaff built in walking foot). I use it to do all my piecing. It makes piecing a dream. She would not be wasting her money in buying a walking foot.

a walking foot for piecing flannel and/or attaching binding makes life so much easier. does she tie the quilts and bind them?

The only time I've used my walking foot has been stitching in the ditch or putting on the binding. It's really not that hard to put on.

I use my walking foot as much as possible for piecing, binding, sewing clothing, ... It makes a big difference to me.

i use mine to put the binding on. and if i piece backing or batting. but not for piecing.

I absolutely agree with this. I have 2 Pfaffs and I rarely *don't* use the IDT. (well, 3, but one is my GrandQuilter, and it is set up for free motion on a frame, no need for a walking foot)

This is one of the reasons why I will always own a Pfaff. :)

I also have the Janome 6600 and it has Acufeed which is the same as the Pfaff's IDT. I have a 'walking foot' with a 1/4" guide that I use for piecing anything on the bias, long strips of fabric across the WOF for example, when making a bargello or sewing strips to subcut for speed piecing, and for sewing on long lengths of single fabric for borders. It helps enormously with puckering and stretching (I also reduce the foot pressure a tad). Whether she needs one or not will really depend on the kind of piecing she does and the kind of fabrics she works with, whether she personally can justify the investment. But I disagree that a walking foot (or the equivalent, Acufeed, IDT or whatever) is 'only' for quilting. It's purpose is to alleviate shifting of layers so ANYWHERE this may be an issue, it's the tool for the job.

I love my walking foot and would not hestitate to buy another if I broke the one I have. I think it's worth trying to get used to the one she has. Maybe you could find an inexpensive one on ebay.

I agree with the other Pfaffies here....the only application I don't use the IDT (built in walking foot) is for FMQ and embroidery. As K3n said, it's purpose it to alleviate shifting anywhere. However I do understand member's feelings about the bulkiness of one you have to attach as I have some for other machines and you don't have the choice of using whatever feet you want to use for various applications as we do with our Pfaffs. That is one of the main reasons we love our Pfaffs.

Thanks everyone- I will pass all this information on to my Mom. I have two Pfaff's with walking feet. I use them all the time... I think part of it is that she used to have a Pfaff, too, it broke down completely, but then she bought this Janome for pretty cheap that does not have the built-in walking foot and she does not feel like fiddling with putting it on. Anyway, I don't know what she is going to do.

I love the built-in walking foot on my Pfaff and Babylock Quest Plus for piecing, especially sashing and borders. I haven't worked with the add-on walking foot on my Bernina enough to know how I like it for piecing. But it helps with flannel, for sure.