When some people first hear the words "walking foot sewing machine" they usually giggle and laugh. I know us
kids did when we were growing up. That's because my dad owned a small sewing machine business for many years in
which he had used and new standard home and industrial sewing machines for sale including walking foot sewing
machines and he repaired them too. I know the heavy duty industrial sewing machines were always a lot more work to
repair as they had more intricate parts. In those days they were used more in factories and plants then
in one's home.
But the industrial sewing machines have changed quite a bit since then and dozens of computerized models and
brands are used in homes today. They are no longer called a factory industrial machine. But ladies (and
men) loved the walking foot sewing machines and industrial machines even then.
A true walking foot sewing machine is categorized as an industrial sewing machine. These machines are often
called a heavy duty, leather sewing machine or upholstery sewing machine, although many women purchase them for use
in their home. Women buy this machine who love to quilt or use upholstered fabrics or sew on more difficult, bulky
or slippery fabrics such as leather, quilting pieces and many other types - see the long list below.
The walking foot sewing machine is a straight stitch machine that feeds fabrics or materials along evenly
including the top and bottom pieces. It has built-in feed dogs or foot with two pieces that moves from one side to
the other both at the same time together with the feed. It looks like it's walking as it moves along the fabric
while it grips and advances the layers together. (Its feed system moves holding the fabric between the presser foot
upper feed dog and the lower feed dogs.) It's pretty simple. You can’t find a home sewing machine that will do what
it can do.
A standard home sewing machine has just one feed or foot. A single feed. An industrial walking foot sewing
machine has a heavy duty motor and usually runs about 150 watts. A standard home sewing machine has half that
amount.
If you're doing a lot of quilting you don't want to be without it. Or if you work with bulky, awkward, difficult
or heavy materials or multiple layers of fabric it's better to use the right and best machine.
You won't have to pin the fabric or materials together so it eliminates a lot of prep work and they can easily
be fed through the walking foot sewing machine.
The walking foot or dual feed, as it is also called, grips the fabric in such a way that the fabric is secure
and stable and won't shift or move around. Your seams will not pucker no matter what you're working on. Puckering
is common when sewing the seams on draperies for example. I'm sure you've encountered puckering from time to time.
This is eliminated most of the time with these walking foot machines.
Here are some of the materials and fabrics you can work with when you're sewing: leather, vinyl, denim,
upholstery fabrics, quilts, silky fabrics, napped fabrics, specialty fabrics, corduroy, draperies, slippery
fabrics, rag quilts, heavy fabrics, multi-layers of rag quilts, plaids, furs, imitation furs or faux furs,
velveteen, heavily woven fabrics, draperies, curtains, bulky large thick tablecloths and heavy or sticky
fabrics.
So you can see how versatile a walking foot sewing machine is and if you do a lot of sewing and on a variety of
fabrics and materials then think about buying a walking foot sewing machine and save yourself a lot of time and
money. Truly pucker-free sewing.
If you're quilting or working with upholstery material you will surely want to get a walking foot sewing
machine.
Walking Foot Sewing Machine Attachment
An alternative method is to buy a walking foot attachment and attach it to your machine but it is not the same
and many find they're disappointed. Brother makes one for about $28. Kenmore makes an open-toe walking foot with a
quilter bar for about $26. It really shouldn't be called a walking foot attachment because it rarely solves the
sewing problem. It can't turn your sewing machine into a walking foot sewing machine. It just can't copy the action
of a walking foot machine.
This attachment goes by another name also-- a plaid matcher. This may or may not work for you it’s hard to say
without seeing the fabric or material. However for long term use I'd recommend going ahead and buying a walking
foot sewing machine.
Walking Foot Sewing Machine Brands
Some of the best well-known brands of industrial sewing machines are Juki Sewing Machines, Consew, Durkopp Adler
Sewing Machines, Merrow Sewing Machines, Pfaff Sewing Machines, Feiyue, Thompson, Sailrite, Alphasew, Singer,
Bernina, Reliable, Yamaha, Tacsew, Gemsy from China and Refrey Sewing Machines.
Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machines and Do They Work?
There are many portable sewing machines for sale with a walking foot attachment in sewing machine stores or
shops and online but if you buy one beware because it may not do what you want it to do.
Also make sure you try the material or fabric on your home machine first because you may be surprised. Some
sewing machines can handle denim, vinyl, leather, corduroy and other fabrics or materials that you might not have
thought would. Just try different settings and see what works. If not then think about getting a sewing machine
that will serve a lot of functions for you. So-called walking foot sewing machines may be made by Brother, Singer,
White and others and are made both with single stitch and zig zag stitch.
Make sure you know the difference between these sewing machines and portable sewing machines and the true
industrial walking foot sewing machines. There is a big difference. Prices vary quite a bit too. Be sure to check
around to see if you can get a machine that costs less.
So if you use a lot of the fabrics and materials I've mentioned you may want to buy a walking foot sewing
machine and eliminate a lot of sewing problems that you may have now. If you're heavy into anything like quilting
or making upholstery or do lots of sewing with leather, furs and other bulky materials, you may want to seriously
think about getting the best machine for you. Make sure you look at several of the machines and make comparisons
because there is quite a bit of difference between them. I think you may be surprised because you can find some
cheap or at a discount if you shop around online. Read all the reviews and ratings and you're sure to make the
right decision.
