Walking Foot Adventures

Reply Subscribe

Page 1 of 7

Last »

Thread Tools

12-13-2010, 10:14 AM

BettyGee

Super Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Colorado

Posts: 2,254

I just started using my walking foot. Takes a bit to get used to, doesn't it? So far I am thrilled with the results. If anyone has hints for success I am more than open to any and all suggestions.

I am making a quilted fabric which is going to become a "vintage" apron, reversible with a pocket. Vintage is from the sixties, yikes I'm getting old. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll let you know where I got the pattern. I figured that making a quilted piece would be a good trial for using the walking foot since I am just making straight stitches. Kitty cats on one side and cherries on the other, for my niece who has three kitties.

So hope this is encouraging to anyone who is considering using a walking foot.

12-13-2010, 10:19 AM

SaraSewing

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: AZ/Utah border

Posts: 2,345

I'd love to get hints on a walking foot too. I've tried mine a few times, but still very novice.

12-13-2010, 10:22 AM

ncsewer

Senior Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: North Carolina

Posts: 745

LOL - Maybe instead of a baby boomer, I'll start referring to myself as Vintage!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyGee

I just started using my walking foot. Takes a bit to get used to, doesn't it? So far I am thrilled with the results. If anyone has hints for success I am more than open to any and all suggestions.

I am making a quilted fabric which is going to become a "vintage" apron, reversible with a pocket. Vintage is from the sixties, yikes I'm getting old. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll post the pattern and instructions or let you know where I got it. I figured that making a quilted piece would be a good trial for using the walking foot since I am just making straight stitches. Kitty cats on one side and cherries on the other, for my niece who has three kitties.

So hope this is encouraging to anyone who is considering using a walking foot.

12-13-2010, 10:27 AM

Momma_K

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Dayton, TN. but hometown is Rockford IL.

Posts: 1,407

Ok, I'm not all that new to quilting but...what is the difference between a regular foot and a walking foot? I know the darning foot and button hole but not so much a Walking foot? Can anyone help??

12-13-2010, 10:41 AM

Subee

Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Northeast Indiana

Posts: 44

At first I was simply not impressed with a walking foot until I bought a Janome6600P. The walking foot is partially built in and easy to change over. It is FANTASTIC...no puckers....nice advancing...even feeding!I use it for applying binding also!

12-13-2010, 11:06 AM

BRenea

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Seguin, TX

Posts: 558

When I bought my Husqvarna Viking in the mid 90's I was excited to get the walking foot for it...what a disappointment!
Puckers, uneven feeding, you name it. Later they came out with an improved version and I finally "got" how great a walking foot was!

12-13-2010, 12:13 PM

BettyGee

Super Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Colorado

Posts: 2,254

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momma_K

Ok, I'm not all that new to quilting but...what is the difference between a regular foot and a walking foot? I know the darning foot and button hole but not so much a Walking foot? Can anyone help??

A walking foot has feed dogs on the top of the foot so it works with the feed dogs underneath and pulls the quilt sandwich through evenly. At least that is what it is suppose to do and so far it is working for me as advertised. I tried without the walking foot and had to rip out the seams because it was puckered all over the reverse side and the sandwich shifted. I though I had spent money for something I didn't really need, but I'm glad I did as it is working as advertised. I just need more practice with it to get to a point where I can do more than straight seams and stiitching in the ditch.

12-13-2010, 12:15 PM

BettyGee

Super Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Colorado

Posts: 2,254

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyGee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momma_K

Ok, I'm not all that new to quilting but...what is the difference between a regular foot and a walking foot? I know the darning foot and button hole but not so much a Walking foot? Can anyone help??

Okay dummy me. The feed dogs on the walking foot are under the foot, not on top; but whereas feet are smooth and the feed dogs in the machine pull the fabric through, in a walking foot you have two sets of feed dogs pulling the fabric through. Does that make sense?

12-13-2010, 12:20 PM

AndiR

Senior Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: S. Dakota

Posts: 512

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyGee

I just need more practice with it to get to a point where I can do more than straight seams and stiitching in the ditch.

Betty, that's usually the only time I use my walking foot - straight lines or very gentle curves. For curvier patterns like meandering or spirals or leaves or whatever, it's SO slow using a walking foot as you would have to pivot every time you want to change direction. Then it would be much easier to free-motion quilt using a darning foot. (Although it does take more practice to FM quilt.)

The other great time to use a walking foot is when attaching binding - everything feeds in much nicer and no more puckered edges on your quilt!