I would use one too, if for no other reason than safety. Do some checking, you may not have to pay a high price for a foot either! I use the spring loaded type, found them when I was mainly using my Janomi. Found one, a generic type, at my LQS, she is a Bernina dealer, so carries different stuff like this too. Anyway, it was only $10! I even have two now, one for both Janomis. The second one is for a little travel size machine I have. Okay, then I got a Viking Sapphire & heard they now make a spring loaded foot for it! Costs $40, yikes! Took a look at one, & looks the same at the others I have, so bought one for it too, & it works great! So does some checking & save your money for fabric!...