I love mine - have 3 with the side blade for my different machines. I even bought an adapter for my Bernina so I could attach it. Recently I bought the Bernina version from a board member.

Graph paper also works well if you don't have index cards on hand.

I don't use the index card anymore because although the marked lines are 1/4 inch apart on the card that doesn't apply to my pressed seam. You loose a little in the pressing. This isn't really a big deal if you are using the same foot, etc on a quilt you make yourself. I gets more critical if you are trying to do something with a lot points and matched seams.

Getting a good 1/4 inch seam can be a big deal if you are swapping with someone and your pattern says it will make a 12.5 inch block and your only comes out to 12 3/8. That is just frustrating.

yes I love it never knew there was such a thing until I join a Quilters Guild. I learned alot

Couldn't be without my little foot either! :D

I use it all the time, not only for quilting, but for other sewing. I also love it.

I have one for all my machines. I have the IDT (dual feed dogs)on my Janome which I love. I prefer the foot with the blade, but not all machines sell that style.

can someone describe what a walking foot is & what it looks like please?

I have the 1/4 inch foot with the blade and absolutly love that little foot. My seams are so accurate now.

Firstly, I almost gave up quilting before I got my 1/4" foot. I was going through post-its and wads of tape like crazy. Saw one somewhere and saved forever to get one. I have one with the little blade. I don't sew without it. I am getting into regular sewing now and the seams are bigger. Will be difficult to get used to. Measuring to make sure your foot matches the actual 1/4" from your needle is vitally important....don't ask me why I say that.

Regarding a walking foot. They are, of course, different for different machines, but the premise is the same. It's this big bulky box, usually white, that you attach to the machine. It has a little presser on it that you put onto the screw that holds your needle in. It has another set of feed dogs that go over the top of the fabric to "walk" all 3 layers evenly through the machine. This way, you have feed dogs on the top and bottom of your fabric. I use it whenever I machine quilt that is not free motion, which isn't too often. I also use it to apply my binding on every quilt. Also, I use the birthing method on most baby quilts instead of binding them, I always use my walking foot for that.

If you do a search at the top of this board and type in walking foot, there will be pages and pages of threads to go through, some with pictures too. I'm sorry that my cell phone doesn't do pictures or I would have posted one of mine.