Walking Foot for a Featherweight Question
 

I recently bought a new sewing machine; the Janome 6600, which has a built in walking foot. I already had a low shank walking foot for the Quilter's Dream 3160, a Janome low shank machine which I traded in for the new Janome.

So, now I'm wondering if that Janome low shank walking foot will work on my Low Shank Featherweight machines. I'm afraid to even try it; scared I will mess up my Featherweights.

I will certainly watch this one I also have a Featherweight that my mother gave me. I named her Lenora, my mothers middle name. Had her cleaned and she just sews wonderful.

I would like to know to

That's a name you don't hear very often. If you read my name backwards - you will see why I like it.

I totally understand your anxiety. I snapped a foot from a high shank Necchi on my Singer 401 and got it out of timing in 2 seconds.... The Necchi foot was a bit taller than the slant feet.

I don't know why it wouldn't fit if it is a low shank walking foot. But as a precaution, take a good look at the walking foot. Does that shank look to be the same height when held up to an attachment that really does go on your machine? Then if it seems so (it should) try it on the machine. Don't let it snap down hard and fast - do it slow & don't run it yet. Then look and see if there is anything it needs to clear - thread cutter? anything it would hit. Then test it by hand turning it. Does it work for a couple inches? If so try running the machine.

I like the name Lenora, and had I had the forsight in my 20s when my daughter was born she would have Lenora in her name...one of those life lessons. I have not seen your name before, and I would guess like Lenora, your name Aronel has a nice 'flow'.

My DH modified a generic walking foot that I can use on my featherweight as well as an old Pfaff. It has worked just fine. I have quilted many small quilts and wall hangings with it on my featherweight. I got the walking foot at the Singer store in Chicago.

I wouldn't risk it. I tried a low shank walking foot that came with a brother machine and after sewing a couple of seams, the screw had somehow tightened so much I couldn't get the walking foot off of my FW! My DH wasn't strong enough either, but he worked and worked at it until he got it loose. It did scratch the FW a tiny bit also. I was in tears through the whole thing! I ordered one from April's 1930's that she guaranteed would work with a FW and it does a great job! http://www.april1930s.com/

I purchased an Alphasew walking foot for my featherweight and have had very good luck with it.

Hi,
Iwas told it wouldn't because the feed dogs on a featherweight are narrower than most low shank machines, so you need the one made for the featherweight.

Hancocks carry generic feet and bobbins that fit the featherweights. They also have the walking feet for them.

My sewing repairman said a generic low shank walking foot will work great on a featherweight.

I wouldn't risk using parts from one machine on another ... I sure wouldn't want to damage my machine!

I tried my walking foot that was bought for a Kenmore(Janome compatible) and it did not work...I am sure it is a low shank but still it wouldn't go...I tried it very gently and saw that it just didn't move right so I took it off...I a interested to see which ones work...

I have a walking foot made for a featherweight. I used it to put the binding on a quilt. It worked well. I felt like it was a
strain on the machine. I decided this might be one of those things that just because you can, maybe you shouldn't.

Thanks everyone! You have convinced me that it's not worth the risk to try it. I'd rather protect the Featherweight than worry about the $20 or so dollars being a waste at this point.

I would be afraid to try it, you can buy a walking foot for you featherweight

Most walking feet that are generic low shank will work on the featherweights, be careful of those that come with other machines as they may be slightly different. For Miriam who put a high shank on a Singer slant 401 OUCH. The Singer slant needle machines are a breed unto themselves and NOTHING other than slant attachments will work on them!

I learned a LOT with that Singer 401g machine... I learned that you do not use WD40, 3-in-1 oil or gun oil - it dries up like rubber cement. High shank feet to not fit slant shank machines - I tested that one out and had to re time the machine. I learned how to take apart the stitch selector and cam stack (3-in-1 really gummed up.) Then I learned that denatured alcohol would dissolve 3-in-1 oil anyway... gotta keep it off the paint. I learned how to clean up and overhaul the motor. I have learned how to change out a needle shaft and re-time. I learned that the German made Slant-o-matics will treadle. I didn't have a manual and didn't find one on line for a long time so I learned what combinations worked to change stitches by trial and error - mostly error - then I figure out all you really need to know is right on the lid - duh... I learned that you HAVE to keep the piece that goes back and forth by the needle bar and near the cam stack from gunking up - a lot of those machines come gummed up in those places. I learned that the 403 and the 503 are easier to use and do the same stuff. I learned that there are two kinds of buttonholers for those slant-o-matics - one that zigzags and one that moves the fabric back and forth. I learned that the feed dog cover that comes with the professional button holer doesn't work as well as the older one. I learned that you can wind the bobbin while you are sewing by putting a spool on the lower holder and running the bobbin as you sew - sweet... The 411 came with a part that goes around the throat plate so if you raise it you can FM. The 401G and the 411G can do chain stitches - I have yet to try. (Maybe one day when Iris comes over.)

When I first got my 401 it sat for a long time with me using only the zig zag and straight stitches, it truly intimidated me. Now I must say that it is my favorite machine other than my brother quilter and embroidery machines. Of course I love my featherweights but for overall versatility and heftiness I think that the 401 is in a class of its own. I assume your 401g is the German equivalent of the Am. made, I wish my 401 would chain stitch, but it does not.:)

Now days you can find manuals on line!!! Sure does help with a 401.

There is a source for a walking foot made for the featherweights. Try Jean Lyle on the net. She has the most wonderful
products for the Featherweights. I first came across them at the AQS show in Paducah. I even bought a scratch and dent model of a reproduction table and had DH rework the opening to fit my white featherweight.

Great information from everyone. I recently got a FW born in 1949, my birth year! I am glad to know about the walking foot.

For anyone interested, I have walking foot on my website www.thequiltgal.com and I have been using one just like those on my Featherweights since 1999 or 2000. No problems! Love it!
This is the one in the box in the first picture. See the little fork with the black covering. It goes over the screw that you use to tighten your needle.
The second type are for sale, but NOT on my website. They have the little arm that goes on top of the screw (not a fork over and under). This type does not work as well and as for as I know actually sells for more.