Piecing foot for FW 221
 

I just got a FW221 and want to get a 1/4" piecing foot. I got one from 221parts.com but it has the edge guide and I want one that doesn't have that guide. I think the machine uses low-shank feet but not sure. Can I use a generic low-shank foot? Thanks for any help.

Yes, low shank generics are fine. I like the little foot one the best. http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...t+low+shank.do

Be careful. The other day I was with a friend who was using her featherweight. Her tension got off and no matter what she did,
it would not sew right. She finally changed from her NEW plastic quarter inch quilting foot to the old metal foot and the machine started behaving. We decided that the plastic foot might have had more drag. I would have never thought of that. I use the piecing foot with the guide on it.

I use the plastic 1/4" foot on my feather weight all the time with no problem.

I bought the piecing foot with the guide on it and the quick change part that it attaches to and found that the needle hits it, slightly, on the left side. I dare not try to sew with it until I find out how to remedy that.

I bought that foot with the edge guide and didn't like it either. I removed the guide and like the foot just fine now. If yours is like mine, the guide is very thin and easily pulled off.

I would have indigestion after paying that much for a plastic foot, no matter how many markings are on it.

I take the guide off too, couldn't get a consistent seam allowance with it on the foot.
Sharon

I have both the 1/4 inch foot and the one with the edge guide. But I like the one that came with the 221 best. Just seems to feed the fabric better for me. I marked my 1/4 inch "sweet spot" with blue painters tape.

The snap on presser foot adapters are NOT made for the old Singer presser foot shafts. I've run into this a couple times.
The old Singer shafts are machined slightly different than other makers of their time, and of the modern machines. The new generic feet sometimes will not line up properly with the needle or will not properly fit the shaft.
I have a generic walking foot that will not work correctly on Singers, the needle is not centered because the mounting pad does not fit the Singer presser foot shaft. And our Singer Even Feed walking foot will not mount to the shaft on non-Singer machines. Same reason, a miss-fit at the mounting pad.

Some aftermarket feet will work just fine, some will not. Those snap on adapters are made for modern machines so expect miss-fits like this.

I use either the 1/4" foot with the guide, and I like it, for those machines it works on, or a bed mounted fabric guide for the others.
I won't waste my money on those plastic feet.

Another symptom of the miss-fit between feet and shaft is the presser foot will not be aligned correctly with the feed dogs. This will cause all kinds of inconsistencies with your seam.


Joe