I own a Bernina 185 and a Singer 7470. The Bernina is so fussy about quilting that I have given up and am now using my Singer which cost about 1/10 of what the Bernina cost and works much better. I have heard that a walking foot would be better to quilt with. I'm kind of new to machine quilting and would like some help from people who know what they're talking about.

A walking foot is great for straight lines and gentle curves, but it can't do FMQ, if that is what you are asking. :D:D:D

The walking foot has teeth underneath it, so that the fabric is fed under the presser foot more evenly :wink:

what is FMQ?

free motion quilting. You use a quilting (or darning) foot and lower your feed dogs, so you are moving the quilt under the needle- your motion controls the design.

A walking foot is ideal for quilting in straight lines, or stitch in the ditch (you will see that as SID)It keeps both the top and bottom layers moving equally, so there is no distortion or pulling.

Free motion quilting

Free Motion Quilting.

I use a walking foot for quilting most any design with gentle curves. You have to go very slow almost a stitch at a time for the intricate designs. I started doing more with the walking foot after reading this book: One Line at a Time: 24 Geometric Machine-Quilting Designs Made Easy by
Charlotte Warr Andersen

A walking foot keeps the back of your quilt from puckering. I forgot to use it on one quilt intil I was about half way through. I won't make that mistake again!

A walking foot is worth every penny! I also use mine when making purses/totes. It makes a big difference in the quality of the finished item. :)

How long have you had your Bernina?? My dealer offered free classes on how to use the machine. That was 5 1/2-6 years ago. Contact your dealer and ask about classes to learn more about your machine.

I always use a walking foot. It makes it a lot easier.

I love my built in walking foot on my Pfaff. I use it to quilt in the ditch. If I am free motion quilting I use a darning or free motion foot.

I too use my darning foot for fmq. I'm not very good at it, but I try.

BellaBoo, thank you!!!!!!! I'm just getting my feet wet with machine quilting :D I will get that book, thanks again :thumbup:

Absolutely on the walking foot. My Pfaff has an integrated walking foot that I almost never disengage. I would try to piece anything, quilt or clothing, without it.

The walking foot is a must in order for your layers to move correctly.

I absolutely love my Bernina 730E. I have never had any problem FM quilting or with using the walking foot for geometric designs. If your Bernina is fussy about quilting, you should contact your dealer for advice. It should quilt like a dream!

I love your puppy!!!My dealer is not very good at helping me with anything. My machine did not come with a walking foot and when I called about buying one the cost is $165. I just bought one for my Singer instead.
My Bernina also embroiders, does yours?

I use my walking foot for everything except curvy piecing.

Thanks so much for all your comments and advice. I ordered a walking foot this morning from Singer so I know it will fit. I will also use lower loft batting so that I don't have to fight so much to get it through the machine. Happy quilting to all of you!!!
My 1st grandbaby is due next week, can't wait!

I have the 153, it was made for quilting. I was lucky, my DH did the computer work for the shop for awhile. We got to know the owner that way. Customer service was great!! The owner of the shop also was the service tech for Bernina. My machine came with the walking foot, and others related to quilting. Sounds like you need to find another dealer, but that is problematic because they are spread out. Maybe you can find another dealer online for tech. support????

good to know, I haven't been using one.

I'm drooling with envy and congratulations to you Pfaff with IDT owners! My dream machine!

I would have done exactly what you did in your situation; Singers are great machines. However, you can get a like-new walking foot for your Bernina on Ebay or the Sew Its For Sale Yahoo Group. Bernina Walking feet typically sell for around $70. If you don't know about it, Sew Its for Sale is a place to buy an sell all things sewing, the group is very helpful. If you join the group, you can post an add "ISO: Bernina Walking Foot."

Yes, I love my Bernina's embroidery capacity! It is amazing.

My "cute puppy" is a four-year old Border Terrior named Duffy. He is a doll! I love him more than potato chips. LOL...

There's a Bernina Yahoo Group that is very helpful. Perhaps you might want to look on their site for conversations about your machine. You also might ask your questions there. The men and women that chat on that site are amazing with technical knowledge.

The walking foot is great for the Stitch in the ditch....When trying the free motion, its better to use the special round transparent or open foot ....(you can see them in the videos)
Good luck :D

I asked Joann's fabric store for help on my older model Husqvqrna as it been quite some years since i used it....her response? Do you have the receipt for it? I just wanted a demo to remind me how to use it, i forgotten on how to use it & then she states "we don't use those anymore...the memory cards are impossible to find" Well i have plenty of cards,,,just help on starting the thing! Don't want it to sit on the shelf anymore now that im trying to get back in to quilting. Ooops got off track about the walking foot! But i saw the "ask for classes" remark adn had to put in my 5 cents worth. Thanks!

I have a Bernina Activa 230 and I splurged and got the walking foot. It is great and I wouldn't use any other machine or foot to do my quilting.

I've done wavy lines with my walking foot. by moving the quilt to the left and then the right as i go along. but it's mainly for straight lines.

I wouldn't be without a Pfaff machine!!! I just upgraded to the Quilt Expression 4.0 and gave my 2044 to my daughter who is just getting into quilting and was having horrible issues with my old l970 Sears Kenmore machine!!

I absolutely LOVE the new 4.0 machine!!! And YES....absolutely YES on using the walking foot (built in on the Pfaffs). Quilting has taken on new meaning since I started quilting on a Pfaff!!

Yes All the time. It is a must.

I am machine quilting a quilt right now. I always use a walking foot when I quilt, so I don't mess up the back. I generally just follow the patchwork, doing a 1/4" from the edge of each patch. Nothing spectacular, but it gets the job done.

I am in total agreement regarding the Bernina. I also have a Bernina (too too too much money here). I have my late 1970's Singer (love it). Hindsite wish I had more of it.

I am in total agreement regarding the Bernina. I also have a Bernina (too too too much money here). I have my late 1970's Singer (love it). Hindsite wish I had more of it.

Yep, the built in walking foot is the best thing ever!!

I am new to quilting and just finished my first small quilt and used a walking foot while following instructions for "quilting in the ditch." Surprised myself at how it turned out and can't wait to begin my next one!

FMQ free motion quilting

Mine is a Pfaff with a built in walking foot, wouldn't be without it.

I did not go the expensive route when I took quilting lessons. Since i had to purchase a machine for the lessons and did not know if I would like quilting I got a Brother sewing machine. It did not come with a walking foot. Then I had to purchase a universal walking foot that worked well for the first 2 quilts. Now it rattles & shakes so I guess I will have to buy another one. Anyone had this problem?

I have a Pfaff with duel feed and I love it. It quilts beautifully.

Yes, I use a walking foot on two of my machines and also started free motin quilting with the free motion foot. My Singer embroidery machine sell a quilting feet kit that came with the darning foot the walking foot a1/4" foot and two others that I haven't used yet.