Skittl1321

I just got a walking foot- and it is horribly difficult to put onto the machine.

When I do get it on the machine, the needle doesn't go into the little slit like I'd expect it to, but it goes own in front of the foot. This is NOT how the foot is used on the video in the Bernina video so clearly I did something wrong (my needle also broke, so it struck the foot)

It worked really well for one side of the quilt, but when I went to pivot the mitred corner and broke the thread, the arm slipped off the needle bar.

Now I can't seem to get the arm to stay on the needle bar, it keeps falling off.

Any tips on how to correctly attach the foot? I've watched the video over and over and it isn't helping. My husband did it the first time, but he doesn't know how he got it to work, and based on the above problems, clearly it wasn't done correctly.

nursie76

Gosh, that's too bad you are having this issue. I know on some non-Bernina machines the little lever thingy rests on top of the screw that holds the needle, but on the Bernina it is fork shaped and the forks rest on either side of the needle screw. I am sure that is how you are doing it, just wanted to check as I don't see clearly why it would slip off unless it is defective. Hope you can get it to work for you.

Edited to add: I remember once that I broke a needle with the walking foot and it was because the changeable sole plate wasn't clicked on in the right place on one side, the new walking foot is different as there is a little screw driver with it and a screw has to be loosened to change the sole plate.

Skittl1321

Yeah- I'm putting the fork around the needle bar, but I think the reason it is slipping off is the foot is too far back (which is why my needle isn't going through the hole, but in front of the foot).

But that doesn't make any sense, since if the cone is in it, it should be in the right place, I would think...


Guess I might be making a trip to my dealer if internet videos and such can't figure this one out...

mltquilt

There is a video on the Bernina USA website that shows how to put the walking foot on the machine. I always have trouble getting mine one and will be going to the website to watch this video. It located in Accessory Classes area.

mltquilt

Lacelady

I find it helps to lower your feed dogs first, that gives you just a tiny bit more room. Put the walking foot in your right hand, put the lever over the needle thingy (technical term) first, and angle the foot into the right place until clipped on the cone.

You may be worrying about where the needle goes because the original feet had a bar going in front of the needle, then more recently, they came with two different bases, one with the bar, and one without, that you could interchange with one another. Perhaps the one you have is the 'open' one.

mary quite contrary

Bernina changed their feet when they changed models of machines a couple years ago. Are you sure you have the correct foot for your machine? Just asking. Did they sell you the wrong foot?

Skittl1321

I just got the foot and the dealer said it was correct, but the box does not have a model number for any machine on it. I have the closed sole on now. Maybe if I switch to the open toe it won't matter where the needle is.

nursie76

Sounds like you are doing everything right, but if the foot seems too far back, make sure the little latch on your left of the foot is down and tight. Then make sure the little notches or pivots on each side of the foot are in the proper position, and if you have the type of foot that you have to loosen the screw on the walking foot its self to change the sole, then make sure it is secure. Good luck. If I else fails, I guess a trip to the dealer is in order. Oh, btw, what model Bernina do you have?

Maia B

I swear it sounds like you've got the wrong foot for your machine, somehow. It should go on easily: fork onto the needle clamp, cone into the foot, swing the little arm down that holds the foot on the cone. It should be totally stable then. If the sole is on right, the needle shouldn't be hitting it. So if it IS hitting the sole, it's gotta be the wrong foot, eh? Which Bernina do you have? Happy to see a PR member here on QB, sorry you're having this trouble.

Skittl1321

See how the needle is so far forward in relation to the whole in the sole? Since the cone can only go in one place, I don't know how that can be changed.

The arm is off the needle bar because even though I put it there, it falls off as soon as I move the needle. When I put the foot on, it wraps around either side.


I'm really really stressed, because this thing is a week old and now I can't find the receipt. this thing is WAY too expensive to be a dud.