Ok, I don't have a walking foot yet, so before I go out and buy one this week what do you think about them pros and cons.
I'll be useing for straight line quilting.

Fantastic-it is made to go over the thick quilt sandwich-the feel dogs and walking foot working together so the fabric won't pull. It is great for SID and gentle curves-not for FMQ. If you plan to do much machine quilting, it is a must!

I just used mine for the first time last week and I love it.
This is my first time at machine quilting and it made the fabric smooth and it looked more professional. I did straight line stitching, also.
Get one....you'll be happy you did!

I hated mine. Threw it out. The thing wouldn't work for anything on my White. Called all over and then the one arm fell off. I will never use one again, there's not enough money in the world to pay me to.

Jennifer, maybe you didn't get the right one for your machine-or it wasn't put on right. The first time I used it, for some reason it thought you had to put the feed dogs down (must have gotten FMQ confused or something)-but after reading the directions that came with the foot, it worked like a charm. Maybe you should give it another chance-but make sure it is the right one for your machine and it is set on right.

I have two. One for my Janome and one for my Bernina930, thanks to Tomilu. I love them. I use them to put binding on and stid or anything (except fm quilting) that I do on a sandwiched quilt. I think you'll love it. Good luck.patti

I have yet to ever use one, lol...

Ditto! Ditto! Ditto! And I always use it when sewing the binding on!

I also have a walking foot I am having trouble with. It is difficult to attach. It is the correct foot, I took my machine in to the shop for a cleaning and we put the foot on there. The sales staff is very knowlegable and helpful. But after I got home realized there are no instructions to help me learn how to use it. No helpful hints, nothing. Augh!!!!

I always use my walking foot. It makes sewing layers so much easier. I'm all for anything that makes sewing a little easier and funner. I think it would hard to sew WITHOUT using one.

I'd take it back to the shop & get the to teach you how to put the foot on (& not just do it for you!) -- and then test it, so you'll know what's right. Good luck!

oh yea, I forgot, I ALWAYS use it for sewing on binding to the quilt-then hand-stitch to the back. What a difference with the walking foot!!

Oh Wow!Hate to hear that Jennifer! I don't have one and want to get one. I wouldn't know where to start to get one. I have the Brother Project Runway series only it's like that kind, not the Runway Series it'self, but it's just like it. Make sense? I've been wondering if I could get one for my machine and how much they cost. Anyone know? I just found out I'm going to be a great Aunt 3 times over! So, I'll be doing blankets for a while outside of making one for my Gr8t GD! I'm so blessed!

I have 2 of the PRW machines and the SQ-9000. All of them use the same generic walking foot. The SQ came with one but I bought the other one from Overstock. The Overstock one is the same foot that came with the SQ.

I drove 45 minutes to the LQS I like to get it, they showed me how to put it on my machine and it worked for about 15 stitches there. I tried it at home, and it was on the correct way and then the arm fell off. I called the shop again, but "you took it out of the shop, not our problem"

So I called other places to see if I had the right one, and I did, actually got the most help out of Joanns. Took the machine and the foot there, and it completely fell apart.

The feed dogs were up, I did everything right, but it didn't work. I'll never buy another one. Total waste. I'm better off with my hands on each side of the fabric. Been doing it that way for years.

It's a must for me. Not only for quilting straight lines, but for binding and for sewing long straight strips instead of pinning them. It prevents the top fabric from walking forward ahead of the machine.

I bought a walking foot for my Bernina ( very pricey) but it has been a great help when piecing and alaso when when sewing slippery fabrics. Also great for mathching plaid!. Could not live without it. Just wish I could find one for my old Necchi. Just make sure you get the right one for your machine.

Sounds like you just got a lemon-I have had my first one (a Brother) for years and it works great-It even fits my new machine (all Brother machines seem to have inter-changable parts-at least my 2 Brothers do), although the new Project Runway comes with one, so I have the old one as a spare.

Thanks everyone, I just finished a king size quilt top and I need to start quilting it, but I'll wait until I go to town on tuesday so I can go by my LQS to pick one up.

I always use my walking foot,makes sewing so much easier and feeds the top,batting and backing at the same speed.

I'm mad that I waited so long to purchase one. Just be sure you buy the one that is for your machine. It is great!

Find the website for the manufacturer of your machine & go to their website to find what walking foot you need for your model machine. And then you can search to see who has one & compare costs. I just replaced my 15 yr. old walking foot as I just wore it out. I found a "new" one for half the retail price on E-bay.

I even use the walking foot for piecing, because I know where the 1/4 inch is on it! Couldn't quilt without it!!!!

I don't know how you can quilt without one. I know I'd have tons of wrinkles and puckers on the back if I didn't use mine. I wonder Jennifer if the foot you purchased was either defective or the wrong one for your machine. A properly working walking foot should make the job so much easier.

my advice is if you are going to machine quilt then you must have a walking foot and i recommend the one made especially for your machine. more expensive but more reliable.

I can't say enough good things about using a walking foot.
No puckers on my borders, sewing binding on is a breeze, and they are awesome for quilting.
I have found many other sewing uses for it too :D:D:D

I am so sorry you had a bad experience with your's. It sounds like you may have received a defective foot. :(

You need to get the one that is made for your machine by that company. You can get generic ones, but I have found that they are not of the same quality as the ones made by the sewing machine companies. This is one purchase where you shouldn't try to get the cheapest one.

I would not try to quilt without mine, it makes the whole process much easier, the fabric stays smooth, the back does not wrinkle and it looks much more professional. can't imagine trying to put binding on or std without it.

I love my walking foot!! It lets everything feed smoothly for straught lines and no puckers and folds - just perfect stitching :)

Jennifer - Sorry to hear about your terrible experience and lack of support from the LQS. I would be very upset too. This foot really is a gem and perhaps in the future you will consider it.

Three little words, 'I LOVE MINE'!

Gal

almost a must have or at least need not a want

I do not have one, however, I have been considering it. I get frustrated when sewing on bindings, etc. I think it would be a good thing.

Definitely a "must have" for straight quilting and STD. Also great for sewing binding on and when making anything that's quilted or has layers.

Thanks for the input! I'm so convinced!! Small tax refund coming in soon so guess what I'm going after!! I'll take my machine down to JoAnns and get the right one. She may show me how to use it. I'm a hands on kinda of learner!

A walking foot is a great investment and would recommend paying a little extra for an open toed one if you can.

I totally agree with you, I can't stand them and gave mine away and have never taught any of my Patchwork class to use them either, they are noisy, cumbersome and blinds you to where you are sewing.

Instead I use a Satin foot, as recommended by Nancy Johnson-Srebro, who's books I swear by.

I can't imagine doing much without one. I forgot to put mine one once and what a mistake!! I had to rip out a lot of sewing!!

I have one and after all the positive comments, I'm going to give my walking foot a try. Thanks for asking and THANKS to this board for all you comments. LOVE IT!

A MUST TO HAVE if you are planning to join your topquilt with the batting and backing. So much easier and it does not PUSH your material and make clumps...