What can a Walking Foot do for YOUR sewing?

I feel the most discussed sewing machine accessory is the Walking Foot! Some people swear by them, some people think 'Meh' but what can a Walking Foot do for YOUR sewing? Let's look at the pros and cons in today's video!

I suppose the best place to start is by knowing what the Walking Foot is, what it does and how it works.

Do you ever notice when you're sewing that sometimes the top fabric layer ends up with extra fabric at the end of a seam because your regular machine foot has pushed it along too much?

This is because machines only have feed dogs on the bottom that can control the bottom layer but not the top. A Walking Foot is essentially a set of top feed dogs, maybe this is why it's the Top Dog of machine feet! 😂

That's all well and good but what is it actually beneficial for? If you sew a lot of knits you know how hard they can be to control sometimes but the Walking Foot really minimises stretching and gives you more control.

It also comes into it's own when working with slippery fabric and stops it running away from you.

I do find it can help with Pattern Matching and thick/bulky fabrics because it increases your control over how the fabric is going through the machine.

At the end of the day, the main takeaway is if you NEED one?

Whilst is can be nice to have and can help with certain things you certainly don't need to have one.

The better you know your machine the better you'll use it and the more mastery you'll have - fancy tools don't take away the need to develop your own fancy skills!!

Have you used one? What do you think of it and how does it help you with your day-to-day sewing?

and even take a free class!

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// WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:

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SEWING BEGINNER STARTER TOOLKIT - The essential sewing tools you need to get started sewing

5 'MUST-HAVE' SEWING TOOLS I DON'T LIKE TO USE, EVER! (Some I've never used!)

WHAT'S IN MY SEWING KIT? ✂ My personal must-have sewing supplies and equipment!

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[ginette]

Hey Evelyn I thought I could sew...you blew my mind when I discovered all your videos. You are so so helpful. Each week your smile and vast knowledge bring me joy thank you so much. You're inspiring and courageous. You are in all our hearts🎉 get well soon.

[michelleharper]

It's made a huge difference to me - I love sewing thin, slippery fabrics and wow! I don't know how I managed without it before...

[TheCynedd]

I think a walking foot is absolutely necessary. I wanted to make a quilted lining for a jacket I have in progress and the essential in making my lining. When sewing dissimilar fabrics, so you do not get the top slipping, you must have a walking foot. The walking foot is not appropriate for decorative stitches but for general sewing the walking foot may not always help but it will never hurt.😊

[helpfulnhappy]

Thinking of you. Hope
all is going well for you.

[francesschireson-dody]

I love to watch you. I have not done a garment since high school and I am 80 now. But I quilt a lot and I use the walking foot to move the quilt sandwich whenever I am doing straight line quilting. My first job as a novice social worker was a rotation with breast cancer patients. In those intervening years there have been so many improvements. The outcome will be so much better than it would have been when I was young. You are young and that is on your side as well.

[janeunion]

Totally worth it! I sewed for years without one, but when I started quilting I thought I should get one. Suddenly so many things were so much easier. Where two seams are supposed to meet up evenly now they do!

[Areayea]

I've been using a walking foot on a leather jacket I've been making for my brother's graduation gift ^^ I typically don't use it otherwise tho, as you said most other fabrics you can get away with just the zipper foot, general foot or teflon.

[MelissadePau]

I'm 33 and just picked up sewing 6 months ago, and your videos have been so helpful! I appreciate you.

[CatMom-uwjl]

Is anyone else amazed at how people create things like this just to make life easier?

Hope you’re doing well. Been sending good thoughts your way.

[pm_davidjones]

I have been making shopping bags out of layers of waterproof canvas. (Thick AND slippery!) Getting a walking foot was a game changer for me. I no longer get the dreaded 'tidal wave' effect on the top layer that misaligns the edges especially toward the end.

[nitab]

Thank you, thank you! I was wondering how to use this foot, and I'm pleased to learn that I am a seasoned fabric manipulator! Hope you're doing well, Evelyn.

[looloo]

Hello Evelyn, thank you for posting this very informative video. I awoke in the early hours of this morning and my first thought was that I hadn’t seen anything from you for a while. I said a prayer 🙏 for your speedy healing and recovery ❤️‍🩹. I do hope you are doing ok with your treatment and will return to full health soon. ❤❤❤

[kendal]

I just brought a walking foot and it cost me $59 for my Bernette b38. So this gadget isn't cheap. But this video was wonderful Evelyn because I didn't know how the walking foot actually worked. I didn't know it had feed dogs. This video was totally essential to watch!

[tina]

I got one for Christmas (because I asked for it), but I never realised I could use it for slippery and bulky fabrics. Awesome !

[MusicaAngela]

I am primarily a bag maker, so should actually be using my walking foot much more than I do. I just forget to use it! I hope you are having a good day today Evelyn.🙏🏽❤️

[DisMindy]

I find my walking foot indispensable! I love it. It works so well for quilting smaller items on the machine such as quilt squares and pillow covers. Its also wonderful for making stuffed animals and for sewing a gathered fabric such as a sleeve cap to a base fabric.

[Charlie-czjh]

Hi Evelyn. Thinking of you and praying for your beautiful self to be healed and well all-over ❣🥰🦋🌷🌸🦋🌷🌸😘

[jeaniet]

🤯 thank you! I've struggled so much with knits and no one ever suggested to me to use the walking foot! You are wonderfully helpful 😊 Thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers Evelyn 🙏♥️

[Chantilly]

For me, a walking foot is essential for all the bulky fabrics I use making dog toys! Also, great for denim etc😊

[contessa]

I’m just beginning my sewing journey and I’m learning so much from you! I failed to learn from my Momma or grandmothers, all of whom were skilled and gifted sewers. I’ve had Momma’s 1980 Montgomery Ward sewing machine since she passed in 1990. I’ve recently felt the ancestral siren song to learn the art. Your demeanor and energy are so warm and gracious; encouraging and inspiring. You teach all those little fidgety details that you don’t find written in the pattern. I was so shocked to learn that I had to LEARN how to pin fabric! Your videos have made such an immediate improvement in my work that I’m encouraged and excited at the possibilities! Thank you so very much! I’m thinking of you and wishing you all the very best in your battle against cancer. I know you will beat it!