I am looking for a walking foot for my Bernina Artista 185. I know I can get it at my local dealer, but as you might guess, they are quite expensive. I have seen them advertised on Ebay and a reduced price, but they do tell you they were not made by Bernina. Has anyone here ever tried the generic ones. I don't want to wreck my machine but would like a walking foot for my machine. Any info appreciated. thanks ladies.

Do not use generic on your Bernina. I found one for my 930 on ebay for 60.00. Keep looking.:)

I have a Viking and was told not to use a generic on it; they don't last and can cause damage. I have two Vikings (well 3) and they all have different walking feet. Yes, they are expensive but they will last a long time and you'll get lots of use out of them.

I got a generic for my Viking. It always made lots of noise so finally I took it apart to oil it. I found wear marks for two parts that didn't fit correctly. The foot didn't survive the "surgery" so now I need a new one. You can bet it will be a Viking. I say go for the one made by your machine. It's like they say, buy the cheap one twice or the good one once. You'll end up paying the same amount.

Here are some on ebay.

I just ordered from the middle one. It is on it's way.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories

I am running into the same problem, the walking foot for my Activa 240 is like $160. Was thinking of the generic but considering what I have read here I will stick to Bernina.

I got a generic and it broke within 3 mos. This is not something you want to cut corners on. I would save up and get the real deal.

Bernina feet are pricey for a reason. All metal and last a life time. The generics are junk:<

I have 2 and they are older than dirt. Still going strong. I got them for my old Kenmore machine and they work just fine on my Janome. I can't remember where I got them but I'm sure I didn't pay anywhere near $50.00 for them. If they had cost that much, I wouldn't have them.
Sue

Hi DakotaMaid,
Is the walking foot you just ordered a genuine Bernina foot? I found in my research that the genuine ones are over $150.
Also, my machine is the 1530, and has the old style foot, can you tell if that foot will fit my machine. I couldn't find any information about that foot.
Thanks

Grammy of 6,
My understanding is that there are feet for the "old style" and "new style".
I looked on ebay and it looks like the 1530 takes the old style walking foot.
You can always contact you local Bernina dealer to find out for sure.

When I double checked the link to ebay, if you go further down the page, it says this foot was not made by Bernina. It looks like I have no choice but to go Bernina at like $180 +-

I guess this goes on my christmas list

I Have one more thing to add. I have Vikings. They actually have 2 types of walking feet. One has interchangeable bases, SITD, 1/4" etc. the other just has a plain plate that is permanent. The first one is about 180, but the older version (still brand name) is about half that. Depends what what you want it for. Check with your dealer and see if this is also the case for the Berninas.

You need to check to make sure the new interchangeable one is compatible. I just got it for my Ruby; it comes with the zig zag and straight foot and you can buy the 1/4 in and others separately. I paid 128 at my LQS but recently saw it on Amazan.com for 97 (I think, it was under 100) It fits most Vikings with a few exceptions. It's great because it goes in reverse and you can do zigzag and more with it.

I would only buy genuine Bernina. I found a used one at my Bernina dealer for 1/2 price of new. Another source for used is a yahoo group called SewItsForSale.

Thanks GAgal,

Thanks for the leads, I looked but didn't find a genuine bernina walking foot for my 1530 (old style).

Let me know if you find one. :)

I bought the Alpha Sew generic foot made to fit my Bernina but I only used it for less than a year when one of the prongs broke off. The dealer offered me a new one at half price (another Alpha Sew) but I didn't take it. I got out the adapter post from my Bernina's attachments and used the walking foot from my Singer. With the adapter post, other attachments will fit and this was the cheapest solution.