Sewing hack.
06-10-2025, 10:32 AM
#1
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 17,885
Sewing hack.
I have been seeing a lot of videos and about the metal feet building up static and that static causes the ends of the two fabrics to not come out even after sewing. The teflon feet available get grooves on the bottom from the feed dogs if used constantly but seem to work. They were promoting/talking about a set of static free feet made to last for about $100. I have a can of static free spray so I sprayed the bottom of my piecing foot. Will it make a difference? I don't know. Any thoughts about the static build up on the metal feet?
06-10-2025, 01:41 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,162
Given teflon is an insulator, it's more likely to build static than metal feet.
Static occurs in part because something is insulated from ground. Whatever these static-free feet are, they sound like a scam being promoted by "influencers".
Static occurs in part because something is insulated from ground. Whatever these static-free feet are, they sound like a scam being promoted by "influencers".
06-10-2025, 02:24 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,989
I think I have to agree with mkc. Suddenly after more than 100 years of using sewing machines with metal feet, this sounds like 'let's throw it out there and see if anyone buys it' kind of thing.
The upper fabric in a seam may end up slightly longer because the feed dogs pull the lower fabric and the foot pushes the upper fabric in front of the needle. The only time it really becomes a problem is on long seams like borders or sewing a backing together. Isn't that why we measure and match and pin?
The upper fabric in a seam may end up slightly longer because the feed dogs pull the lower fabric and the foot pushes the upper fabric in front of the needle. The only time it really becomes a problem is on long seams like borders or sewing a backing together. Isn't that why we measure and match and pin?
06-10-2025, 08:28 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,668
I have to agree with the others about it being a scam.
Most everything I've read about getting rid of static electricity is actually to touch metal.
It was also suggested to put a safety pin in hem of clothes to rid static. Another thing is cotton is less susceptible if non-existence to static. So if you are pinning your seams and have a metal foot and and metal plate and metal feed dogs, it is extremely highly unlikely for the the seams to be uneven because of static.
Most everything I've read about getting rid of static electricity is actually to touch metal.
Metal conducts electricity, so it can help transfer and neutralize static charges.
06-11-2025, 04:22 AM
#7
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 17,885
The name of the feet are UltraT High Performance Accessory Feet. I was surprised that all the better known sewing centers online are selling them. I asked the owner of my LQS and she said they were first used in the designer clothing business. Designed to reduce friction while sewing fabric.
06-11-2025, 04:55 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,989
Hmmm.... still thinking it's not quite legit. But it may be the word usage.
friction--noun--the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.
static--adjective--(of an electric charge) having gathered on or in an object that cannot conduct a current.
Sooo,,,,in dressmaking, I could see these feet being used on silks, satins, types of slippery fabric. But I'm pretty sure I won't be making any quilts out of that type of fabric in the near future. I think I'll save my money at least until we get a quilter's product review.
friction--noun--the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.
static--adjective--(of an electric charge) having gathered on or in an object that cannot conduct a current.
Sooo,,,,in dressmaking, I could see these feet being used on silks, satins, types of slippery fabric. But I'm pretty sure I won't be making any quilts out of that type of fabric in the near future. I think I'll save my money at least until we get a quilter's product review.
06-11-2025, 05:26 AM
#10
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 17,885
The principal of why it will or will not work I'll leave to the school room. I'm interested in the results. I did my own experiment using a non stick foot. I sewed two jelly roll strips together long ways. With the non stick foot the strip sewed to the end evenly. With the regular 1/4 foot the strips did not. For long lengths the non stick foot was the winner.
