Why are some able to use their walking foot for reverse stitching and others aren't? Are there differences in the walking foot that permit this? I'm glad this topic was posted because I was wondering about this also.

I have 2 Berninas and use the walking foot for ALL the decorative stitches. I use them to quilt with. So for my walking foot (feet) the decorative stitches work fine. Neither of my machines are brand new --one is about 20 years old and the other is about 10 years old. I have a new Elna and the decorative stitches work fine with it, too.

I use my walking foot with the wide slot for decorative stitches all the time. I also bought the walking foot that Sue Hausmann uses on her program, but it has a hole in the center rather than the slot, also got the snap one attachments that go with it, one is stitch in the ditch and the other one is 1/4" side bar. It works fine but when I use it I sure do miss the wide slot. I can adjust my needle with that one.

I use my walking foot for zig-zag and many other fancy stitches. I have a Brother 6000i and it came with a walking foot. The instructions tell me what stitches I can use the foot with. i have finally figured out the if the fancy stitch is a straight stitch and does not back up I can use the foot. I really love mine. I did see a video with a master quilter where he uses the walking foot for all of his quilting. I cannot go that far but I will try one of these days

I use my walking foot for everything except free motion quilting. It has plenty of room for all the stitches and I use my decorative stitches a lot as well as straight. It has never caused any problems with the machine nor have I broken any needles. It's open, so I can see where the needle is coming down.

I use decorative stitches to quilt with frequently. Its a nice way to play with your stitches and looks good too. :-D

I too am told only straight stitching, and no back stitching.
But I do have a question for everyone, if you use a walking
foot and move the needle over a couple positions, would
that interfere with the needle coming back to center when
you turn the machine off and on? Anyone have a problem
like that?

I just have a machine where I manually move the needle to the position I want it. Not sure about other machines. May be a good idea to start a new topic asking this question so that more people will see it.

Have a great day.
ranger

Both my Viking and my Bernina have repositionable needles that go back to center when the machine is turned off an on again.

You also have to look at the part that goes over the needle screw some are just arms and others have a two tine fork like attachment for the needle screw just make sure that it also clears as it is the needle that is moving as well.