I used my walking foot today, for the first time, and now I have a question. Well, several. I have an Alphasew foot (the one from Sew Classic) on a Pfaff 130. It works fine as a walking foot, but it sews with teeny tiny stitches, no matter what I have the stitch length set to. Is this something I'm doing wrong, a quirk of the foot, or something about my machine? Also, the fork that fits over the needle clamp screw keeps unscrewing that same screw. (I was sewing along and the needle fell out! Oops.) At least, I'm assuming that's the problem; it's never happened before now. Every 12" or so I have to stop and tighten that screw.

So, do I just need a different walking foot? If so, got any recs for one?

Next, where can I buy reasonably priced needles in bulk? Preferably in multiple sizes per bulk pack, but at this point, I just need more needles!

I search on ebay and buy mine.

I buy organ needles from jhittle.

He sells to the public although it says wholesale prices.

http://www.jhittlesewing.com/sewing/catalog.php

10 needles of one size for $1.80

the shipping is about $8 so I buy more than one thing to fill up the shipping, I also buy my rotary cutter blades at 10 for $14.90 for the 45mm.

Sounds like the walking foot is on wrong for sure. Sorry, no source for your needles.

I don't have any advice about the walking foot but I do about the needles... I buy mine from www.discountembroiderysupply.com - well, exactly here http://www.discountembroiderysupply.com/Machine-Needles
They are really nice to deal with and their prices are fabulous.

I also buy my needles from www.allstitch.net You have to buy in qty of 100 per size, but I find I use them pretty fast between embroidery and sewing.

Ebay is goooood.

I recently picked up some needles here and I have another order in now. It will be the last order for the year I believe.

http://groups(dot)yahooIdot)com/group/needlecoop/

Put a 'dot' where I wrote dot---QB doesn't accept yahoo HTML....

Thier not in bulk but the Fabric Hut on Little Cr Road, in Norfolk has them where if you buy 2 packs you get the 3rd one free. I think they have a good selection and a good price but I don't remember it right now.

That is the place I bought mine last time and I bought the Organ ones and they have the free shipping.

i thought the pfaff machines have built in - even feed- which means you do not need a separate walking foot= you just set the machine for even feed.
anyway- if the foot you are trying to use is not made for your machine that could be the problem- i would contact the pfaff company or the dealer and ask for the correct foot-
the one you are using could be the cause of the screw coming out too- vibrating-or even turning it as it stitches.
i know we all like to save money- but sometimes the more expensive product---made for our machine is the only way to go- using the incorrect only costs more in the long run- from replacing- or repairing damage caused from trying to save a few bucks....i about choked when the walking foot for my machine cost $79...when i knew my friend had just bought a different one for $12---but then it cost her over $300 to repair her machine- from using the foot she bought- and i decided i got the deal.

I have been buying my needles direct from Schmitz from there Chicago outlet, NO shipping cost

The 130 Pfaff is an old maching so doesn't have the walking foot built in.

Ooh, I'm always happy to learn about a new-to-me LQS!

The new ones might do, but mine was made in 1952, so it doesn't.

I'm hoping there was a walking foot made for the 130; I assume there was but I don't know that. If I can confirm there was, I'd start scouting for one.

Thanks to all for the needle links! Now maybe I won't be buying needles every week.

Where are you at and I can let you know the stores that I go to? There are some great stores here.

I'm out near Franklin. I know about Quilt With Me (in Suffolk) and Sew-EZ (in Portsmouth, on Airline Blvd). There used to be one out on 460, but it was for sale the last time I was out that way, and Ladybug in Suffolk is long gone.

what size (or sizes) do you generally order when buying in this type of bulk?

In Carrolton there is a lovely shop called Bella's. It's just on the other side of the James River Bridge; they have great fabric and thread. I like Aurofil and they have a great variety of it.

IN VA Beach on Kempsriver Rd there is What's Your Stitch N Stuff, I take most of my classes there, it's small but have great things. They have really nice teachers. I'm currently taking my 3rd Civil War Class and the teacher does a lecture each month about things that happened during that time frame. In Chesapeake (close to the hosp) there is The Quilting Bee, in Newport News there is Nancy's Calico Patch, I go there the least. I want to go one day to Williamsburg there are supposed to be some great shops there. I know there is one right by Bush Gardens as well. On Military Hwy there is A Different Touch and there is another one in VA Beach off of Great Neck but not sure of the name. I hope this gives you lots of places to explore. All of these shops have web sites.

Is there any way that you can decrease the pressure on the presser bar on your Pfaff?

The only times I've gotten those teeny stitches with an even feed foot, I've just released some of the pressure and that fixed the problem. Hope it works for you, too. :)

Thanks for the LQS links, romanojg! (You enabler, you. ;) ) I'll have to check out Bella's first-they've got a class I'd be interested in.

Thepolyparrot, thanks for the tip-that helped a lot! I wrote ADJUST PRESSURE FOOT!!! on the side of my walking foot so I'll remember for next time. :)

If you want a great fun class from Bella's; try the techniques class. You learn great techinques and it's a QAYG so when it's done it's done. I've also taken the cathedral window class there and now go to the embroidery club once a month at night so that I can learn new techniques.

This is where I buy mine in bulk. I couldn't believe the prices !!!

I buy my needles from www.homesew.com
great prices and good service

I've bought some from the Home-Sew catalog. They have lots of neat things!!

I've bought from this company a few times - they're quick and easy.

100 Organ Brand Needles in sizes 9-20 $13 + $2 shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/itm/160525454265


Another one, also reliable:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290623332675

Never used this one, but they've got fairly good feedback and they sell for about the same price in assortments:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290420997431

These are Korean Orange brand needles, which have turned out to be indistinguishable from Schmetz or Organ brand for me over the last few months - very cheap, but apparently high quality:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290625162732