I always use a walking foot during one or more parts of quilting my quilts. Like someone asked, "What kind of machine do you own?" Sometimes a generic foot is the answer to the expensive problem. I own Berninas so I understand expensive feet. Sometimes they are on an event sale at the shop. Ebay sometimes sells replacement feet for some machines at a lower price than a shop would offer it at. Also, I have heard of some gals sharing an extra part they don't need here on the board.
Again, what kind of machine do you have?