I think the slow realization that the proper tools really do help is incredibly relatable. The wanting to just knuckle through the familiar hard way? Also relatable.
Both very relatable feelings, and ones I often run into while computer programming! I learned one way to do a thing, and it can be kinda hard to seek out a better way of doing the thing unless shown. I’m so glad that she is sharing her new-thing exploring for us to learn from too!
I’ve been sewing for 54 years, and I struggle with taking time to learn a new method because time is SO rare for me (yes, even at my age!) I am trying to force myself to make time to try things that other people are using.
from a deaf person: thank you for all the descriptions of what the machine sounded like and how it affected you. :) VERY appreciated! And yes, I learned a lot - thank you for that too!! :)
Two feet is enough for any human. For family reasons I have three machines, I have an old foot pedal. I have a big bag, too, of things I have never used. I studied textiles for years when younger but I still haven’t used all the glamorous metal lures to mighty complicated sewing. I am happy!
My husband walked by right at the beginning of your video and said ″Oh! It's Pockets!″ That is how he was introduced to you, "purse pockets", so now you are known as Pockets in our home. 😂❤
I was sewing an apron pattern I'd made after looking at several that didn't quite work for what I wanted, but I accidentally cut out the wrong size patch pockets. My first thought was, "Oh, I'll just sew those 'wrong' smaller pockets onto the correct pockets" and that was because of Charlie or should I say Pockets! One cannot have too many pockets!
Okay, so the deal with the walking foot is that it's handy when you're working with multiple layers of fabric. That's why quilters love it- it makes sure your quilt top, batting and backing don't slide out of place. Regular sewists like you and me use it for particularly slippery fabrics, like satin or velvet, or especially for knits. (Stretch velvet or velour are basically the ultimate use case for a walking foot.) You'll note that the walking foot has its own set of feed dogs, and that's what makes it "walk" the fabric.
I have a walking foot but I happened to watch a video that the person used this type of foot for slippery and multiple layers called a knit foot less hassle than a walking for as just clips on n off but works fab
I have a walking foot/dual feed built into my machine. It's a little arm that comes down and hooks onto the foot, so it can be used with a variety of feet. I use it for almost everything, and it just gives such great results I'm never going back. Highly recommend that feature if anyone is shopping for a new machine.
As someone who just made their wedding dress with multiple layers of satin and voile, the walking foot saved my entire butt multiple times during that project. Even with small basting stitches, a regular foot just wasn't enough.
The word "feed dog" comes from engineering nomenclature. A "dog" is any item that moves a part of a mechanism using "teeth" or those little pointy bits on the feed dogs. And to "feed" is to take in any thing like wood, paper, fabric, etc and move it along. So they're literally a mechanism with teeth that feed through fabric or feed dogs
the button sewing one makes sense for accessibility reasons because like hand sewing just a few buttons for me can make my hand cramp up & be painful but just adjusting the button with the machine would help me so much
I used the button sewing one in lockdown when we were all making those face mask extenders- the bits of elastic with a button on each side so the hospital staff didn’t get sore ears. I made dozens of those things really quickly.
"Is the machine threaded correctly?" is the "have you turned it off and on again?" for sewing machine issues. So many times I have not noticed that the machine has unthreaded itself when changing feet or bobbins or needles. So often!
As your experience grows, your appreciation for those presser feet will grow. Ive been sewing for about 50 years and most of my presser feet were bought along the way as I talked to other sewist. I have primarily sewn clothes, including bras, but I've also quilted, made costumes, upholstered and decorated on my simple old machine. The feet take the place of computer model machines. Also, you will find that some feet can work on things you never thought they would work on. Every time you are sewing and having issues, refer back to your other feet. There may be a solutiin right there. (Actually, i have found it to be more than likely.) Its a lot of fun watching you learn and experiment. You use such good common sense! Keep up the great co tent!
@hannahthufvesson there's a foot for "faggotting" which is where you have your 2 pieces butted up against each other and then you use a fancy stitch to join them. That foot has a vertical piece right in the middle in line with the needle. If you put that foot on your seam, you get a perfect "stitch in the ditch".
A lot of your "who uses this foot" is either for bridal/heirloom or quilting, and a lot of your issues with how a particular foot works is in your tension and how you hold your fabric. For example rolled hem feet work best when you hold the fabric at an angle to the right, and the overclock foot will actually fold under the edge and "over lock" it if the tension is corrected.
I'm lazy and seldom use pins, but even with pinning I found that when sewing 2 long panels together, like for drapes, they never met up properly at the end. That's where the walking foot came in for me! Since it keeps the top and bottom fabrics moving at the same speed, I no longer end up with an extra inch at the end on one of the pieces, and the entire length is smooth and not puckering. It's just a nicer finished look in the end.
Crappy tools might do the job but they'll make your life more troublesome than they're worth. I don't even buy cheap mops anymore. My life already sucks enough I don't need a Dollar tree mop gouging my floors.
This video about comically niche feet was a comically niche resource for my exact situation where a few days ago I bought the 42 feet instead of just one specific foot, so this extremely helpful in a comically niche way
If you can find a roller foot with a split in the middle of the roller, so there are two rollers, it will go around curves easier. Bernina's roller foot is made that way, but I don't know if it is available in a low shank version.
Some of the feet in "who uses this" are more than just quilters - heirloom sewists who make elaborately decorated baby clothes, wedding gowns, and certain costumes use them for the (admittedly!) very specific type of tasks. :D I'm with you on the ruffler and walking feet - OMG, the NOISE is enough to make me wince because it sounds like I'm damaging my machine. :P Been sewing over 40 years and I STILL learn things, too! Keep it up, I love your explorations!!
I use my ruffler A LOT when I'm making soft furnishings and babywear. Once you get past the noise it's incredibly useful. I've had mine 40 years and it comes out several times a year for a good workout.
Are you a mind reader?!?! I literally thought the other day “it would be so helpful if someone told me which presser feet are actually helpful for garment construction!”
The zipper foot is really nice for invisible zippers, you can get really close to help it actually be invisible! I didn't even know there was a specific one for invisible zippers lol
I'm in a sewing class and they have that special invisble zipper foot and it is SOOOOO worth it. Really really great for sewing perfect invisible zippers.
Oh Yes, the invisible zipper foot is totally worth it. I have yet to find one for my vintage machined just can't get the same level of finish with my std zipper foot. I can't imagine trying to do an invisible zipper with a universal foot.
I swear I'm the only one who just adores my rolled hem feet. I probably use one on 80% of projects. Maybe there's a knack to it but I find it so much faster than any other hem option and pretty neat too. But somehow every time "sewing tools that didn't meet expectations" convos happen online it is near the top of the list.
They are super persnickety, and I’ve definitely had to put a few projects in timeout with it! But as someone who puts curved hems on *everything*, mine has been a lifesaver on fabrics where I don’t want to bias bind the hem! Such a tidy finish!
I love the "oh no my machine is broken" - "Did you thread it right?" - "HOW DARE Y--Oh." cycle. I have two fairly basic sewing machines that almost never have issues. When they do, it's threading issues. Always the same issue, but never the same issue for each machine.
I love my cording foot for doing my gathering. I put tooth floss in the cording bit. The floss is strong enough for you to pull on and get the gathering you need.
The zipper foot is also very handy for the second pass of a French seam. It keeps the raw edge from the first pass out of the way just like it does with the zipper teeth. I use it all the time for them.
For the overlock/overcast foot, the bar isn't for guiding the fabric...it is to help hold the thread out so it doesn't pull/scrunch in the fabric as you sew. Looking at your samples, it seems like you have a tension issue on your machine (maybe get it serviced if futzing with the settings doesn't fix it) and that is why you didn't notice a difference between the samples. That being said, I never use this foot because I much prefer using an actual serger lol
I agree with your assessment of the feet difference and the tension. I got my feet with my machine so I see the difference between the 2 when I switch my feet. I do prefer the overcast rather than my serger. It uses so much less thread and adds less bulk in my seams, but I think that comes down to a personal preference.
Tension was definitely an issue, but I think the fabric she was testing with was a factor as well. I find it nearly impossible to use the overlock stitch on anything silky without the overlock foot, but it's only slightly better than the universal foot with quilting cotton or anything sturdier. Since I don't have a serger, an overlock foot is in my personal "Keep nearby" category.
As a general rule of thumb: low shank machines are usually domestics and high shank machines are usually industrials. I’ve gotten really into collecting specialty feet for my industrial Singer, especially topstitch guide feet. It makes life so much easier and topstitching so much more beautiful! Thanks for another awesome video, I love watching you curiously explore every aspect about making things! ✨
For the hemmer foot, you need to use the zigzag stitch... it will roll up the fabric and cover it.... mostly used for the dress rolled hem and in India it is used for the end of duppattas.... I hope it helps..
Omg really!?!? I LOVE the idea, and it's amazing when it works but by golly gosh persnickety is absolutely the word I'd use for it. I saw someone recommend ironing the hem in first to make it work, but then like... Why would I need the foot if I've done the work!? I'll have to try with a zig zag!
As a very shiny new sewist who approaches my fiance's mom's sewing machine (which is the only one I currently have access to) like it's a wild animal that I'm trying not to spook, it's so helpful to see videos where you're kind of learning too. Sometimes I'm intimidated by people who have been working with machines and all the attachments for ages lol.
As my hands have had increasing dexterity issues, I’ve been relying more on the specialty stuff and they’ve saved my sanity. The cording foot is also awesome if you ever make your own piping!
I have been sewing for 25 years and I only used the universal foot and the zipper foot for the first 10. But over the last 15 years, I have gotten adventurous and started to realize that sometimes the extra two minutes it takes to change the foot makes your product looks so much nicer and can cut down the frustration. I had the same experience as you with the invisible zipper foot. And I never did another traditional zipper unless I was forced to. The foot that guides trims and beads right down the center is great for zigzagging over a piece of string to gather a long, thick piece of fabric. The free motion foot intended for top quilting is really great for appliquéing lace, or any other kind of embellishment. I love how I got to see some of the feet in action that I could never find a reason to use! Such a fun video! Thank you so much for sharing!
The overcast foot helps a lot when you don't have a serger and you want to finish the raw edge, especially when the fabric is soft. The pin holds the thread as it wraps the edge so it doesn't roll up the fabric. Just so you knoe😂!
I have a hem roller foot that makes 6 mm hems with very minimal effort once you figure out how to use it. And since I make a ton of cloth napkins (gifts/selling) it saves an absolute mountain of time. It does take some practice, and I found that if you start by hand rolling, putting the presser down, doing like 6 stitches, then putting the needle down, lifting the foot and feeding it into the roller before putting it back down
My machine is so "smart" it gets angry at me if I try stitching without the needle down 🙄 sure, 99% of the time that's handy and I have just forgotten, but that 1%... Oooh the rage.
Someone probably already said this, but as a quilter, a 1/4” seam is THE seam. It is the only we use unless we’re doing something other than piecing. It is also essential to be very accurate with that 1/4” seam so that all of our blocks end up a uniform size, so having a foot that helps with precision is key. I now have my scant 1/4” seam set perfectly on my machine, but before I knew about the scant 1/4”, my 1/4” foot was basically the only presser foot I used other than the walking foot. So yes, who uses this? Quilters. All day, everyday. And the one with the guide is also super helpful, especially as a beginner. But I completely understand why it would seem frivolous as a garment sewist.
It is also used to cover where gimp could also be used. It’s glued over staples and is just another option for a trim that’s flat and can be glued to the fabric. You will see it where fabric is stapled to wood.
Another reason for some of the more niche feet is that those of us with chronic hand pain or arthritis physically can’t hand sew anymore and those special feet give us back the ability to sew on buttons etc. It was fun to see all the possibilities available! Thanks :)
I'm sorry the ruffler foot didn't work out for you! I sewed 25 ballet tutus last year for my studio and the thought of hand gathering that much tulle that tight by hand is Not Fun. If you decide to play with it again it might need a little oiling. Also might be worth checking your tension? Thank you so much! Your channel is such a lovely place to be xx
I used mine for making a bedskirt for a double bed. It would have been a horrendously long edge to gather by hand, but I seldom use it. I'd put it in novelty grab
I think that with the ruffle foot you kind of work "the other way around", if that makes sense? Like instead of cutting your to-be- ruffled-fabric to the right size and ruffle until it fits the part it goes on, with the foot you ruffle a strip of fabric until you have enough ruffle for the part you put it on. I hope this makes sense, it's very late here 😅
Omg im commenting so much on this video... but! Alton Brown has a similar thought about kitchen gadgets, where he talks about the silliness of having a single-function tool instead of just using a kitchen knife properly. You're absolutely giving me those vibes with the 1/4", 1/4" with edge, 6mm lace, 3mm lace, etc feet.
So true. I was just thinking that multipurpose tools are always welcome where as specific use tools are nice but not necessary. Of course that changes if someone does intricate details with beads on every project or custom orders.
The thing with the 1/4 inch and the 6 mm foot is also: 1/4 inch is roughly 6 mm, so it's the same, but just named differently so people can look up sizes for their used measure system easily.
I love my walking foot and I use it frequently. Also love my quarter inch seam allowance foot. I use all my feet. Edit: quilter here. I also make clothes.
about the bias binding foot: bias binding is also used a lot in bags, and in that you have a lot of straight lines to bind because the purpose of the bias binding is different from wearables (on wearables bias binding is the best for curves, meanwhile on bags it's because a lot of seams have the raw edge of the fabric on the outside of the bag and bags are made in thicker fabrics so things like french seams are non applicable)
Can confirm most of these are for incredibly specific tasks. The cording foot, button hole foot, and the button foot were always set up on 3 different machines in the factory, and never got swapped off. A lot this would only save you time as part of manufacturing.
2 mins in and I was like, she's going to keep a bunch of feet on hand. 🤣 Not even halfway and you're already have 6 feet on "nearby" list. :) way to go!🎉
The walking foot works well for slippery fabrics as well. Which you don’t seem to use that much, so novelty grab seems good for you. It’s in my “duh” category 😊
It’s TOO FUNNY, that you put the overcast foot in “what on earth” bc my partner specifically had me buy this for my machine so they could use it. It ended up being my second most used foot (other than universal of course 😂). I really like it to easily zip through finishing raw edges of garments or finishing edges before pre-washing my fabric. It’s a serger-like finish without investing in a serger. I know you rock those French seams though 🎉🎉 so it makes sense where they ended up in the tier list!
Yes that's also one of my favorites! Would go in the 'keep nearby' tier for me. I don't need a serger machine and I don't like the zigzags for finishing raw edges.
I used the overcast for the first time about 6 months ago and my thought was "oh my god, why haven't I used this before now?!" It was so nice for helping make a clean edge and not having so many raveling threads.
Madam Sew has the best kit of presser feet, and I use a bunch of them. She also has some fun ones I want to get. The roller is good for things like vinyl or sticky fabrics. I love the open-toe foot for when I need to really see where I am stitching or thick fabrics. You really need to open your mind to all the kinds of fabrics. After many years of sewing I have found different feet make my sewing look better. I am not sure that is your goal.
The walking foot might be a hassle to put on, but I found it ESSENTIAL for pleather/vinyl, and also really thick fabrics like denim. I've accidentally wrecked a universal presser foot when I was trying to sew multiple layers of denim, the presser foot was going "uphill" and the needle hit the foot
"Do you ever feel like you've learned too much in too short a time?" Yes. Yes I do. Right now. I'm no novice, but I've learned SO MUCH from your video! And now I know I need to get some more feet for my machine.
A satin stitch is closer together than you used, and my universal foot ABSOLUTELY jams. I pull out my satin foot or open toe foot for it because otherwise I start yelling at my machine.
A Teflon foot works very well on faux leather and other slippery fabrics as well (not for shifting between layers, but for top stiches and such), it was an absolute game changer for my various waist bags (alternative to handbags)! Before I had it there was no way for me of getting a decent or even nice seam on some fabrics.
Any foot that is white is a teflon foot which works well on plastics, vinyl. I use it when I am making clear plastic or clear vinyl pouches to store my notions. A diy hack would be to place low adhesive painters tape on the bottom of your universal foot (cut a clearing for the needle). The teflon feet are pricey.
The large opening foot works really well on doing lapped seams like on jeans. The braiding foot, when you have silken cord braiding trim, makes a big difference because it is so slippery.
I think the braiding foot would be amazing for sewing the narrow trim on military uniforms. I always had a hard time keeping the trim in a straight line.
I used to think the overlocking foot wasn't helpful, but it actually has saved my butt with garments! The bar gives the thread some breathing room so that the edge doesn't get pulled in. It really helps, the more you use it.
Someone has probably said it already - but the shirring foot is for gathering, not for use with shirring elastic. In the 'olden days', before shirring elastic, 'shirring' could be done by machine and it was not meant to stretch. It was much faster than doing it by hand hand which involves rows of gathering stitched parallel to each other (say, 3/8" apart). It controlled fullness and looked decorative. To 'shirr' with elastic you usually wind the bobbin with the shirring elastic - slightly stretched as you wind it - and then use a narrow zigzag with ordinary thread in the needle to stitch the elastic onto the wrong side of the fabric. (That is, right side of fabric faces up, bobbin 'thread' is stitched to the wrong side.) It's great because it is both decorative and stretchy but has the downside that it is prone to lose its stretch and sag over time and is a pain to remove and replace with fresh shirring elastic. The modern rufflers are not as good as the vintage ones. My vintage ones are great and their are wonderful instructions in the old Singer manuals for how to achieve a variety of tasks. (There are quite a few of these available for free online for the older Singer machines. Look on the ISMACS website in their Singer, sewing machine manuals section. The manual for the Singer 201 model is very good. These feet very often require the presser foot pressure to be increased a little to work their best, and they are not suitable for very thick, stiff or heavy fabrics. If you buy a vintage one double-check that both blades are intact - from time to time you find one where the 'toothed' (upper) blade is broken and then they don't work well and are apt to chew the fabric! :-)
I used to teach the basic sewing class at my local JoAnn's, and the way i taught it was a crash course on machine workings, a small project, gloss over pattern info (a lot of the time we ran over). I always encouraged people to bring in their own machines to class so i could walk around and point out the parts to everyone. It was always fun to see what machines people brought, how parts differed, and how things are the same. 3 basic feet your machine needs to have: the universal (duh), the zipper foot, and the buttonhole foot. The buttonhole foot varies by model because machines stitch buttonholes differently. The rest you get when they will solve a problem lol.
The plastic feet are particularly good for materials that are a little grabby. Leather or vinyl particularly. I also like it for foiled or coated fabrics.
As a sewer of about 60 years, I have found that I truly need the buttonhole, zipper and invisible zipper feet, and the walking foot is the one that lives on my machine. I too bought that 42 piece set of feet.
The walking foot is awesome for swing things that are thick, stretchy, or prone to distort. So it's great for quilting (whether you're making a blanket or a jacket), sewing knits with a zigzag, and fabric with a nap. For me it's something that I keep nearby when I'm sewing because so often problems are solved by using it.
I loved the "loud" ruffler foot, when making tons of costumes with ruffled layers of tulle. I cut long stripes (as long as the length of my fabric actually using a box knife), then sew them on, cut at the end and start the next layer. It safed me so much time and pain.
As a quilter my go to feet are 1/4 seam foot, universal, Walking, free motion. And when I branch out zipper, button hole.. 100% sure I have more than I even recognize in my stash though. Also, I have 2 free motion feet and they each work better one machine than the other… yes, I have more than 1 sewing machine….
Walking Foot. I do not Quilt, I lean towards garments, draperies and upholstery but... Not just for slippery fabrics and knits. It is also helps to keep striped fabric even. If you, like me, are a bit on the OCD side, seeing your striped garment unevenly matched from one panel to the other would most likely send you into a frenzy, much like crooked picture frames on a wall, the walking foot is a must have. But like anything new, it's something to get used to. Practice makes perfect Ruffling Foot- Again practice makes perfect, you have to adjust your tensions, I would much rather use the ruffler to sitting there pulling on a thread in the hopes it wont break while I try to make a ruffle, also being able to ruffle onto the bodice or a band at once saves lots of time. Shirring Foot- Adjust top tension, stitch length and bobbin tension to get the desired effect. Again practice makes perfect. As you seem to have a hard time dealing with simply changing your presser feel out, most of these may not be for you (No Shade). However, for those who do certain kinds of sewing (quilters, upholsterers and so on) and who appreciate taking time with the process and more importantly the end results, many, not all of these presser feet are a must have. thanks for the presentation. Peace P.S. Been sewing on and off for about 50 years, taught on a singer treadle by my grandmother. 😊
Getting a rolled hem started with a rolled hem foot is an absolute PITA. My solution for this is to hand stitch a length of thread at the beginning of the fabric, making it long enough so I can wrap it around my fingers. I use this as a sort of pull handle, to help me pull the fabric straight through the roll. It takes a little practice but it really works.
The first kit had a walking foot, which was why it was expensive. Mostly used by quilters, but also very handy for knits, which you sew a lot! When one layer of your knit fabric seems to grow longer when sewing, a walking foot will help solve that problem. Most Singers, Brothers, Pfaffs, from antique to modern, use low shank feet. However, the slantomatic Singers from the mid 50s - 60s use only slant shank feet. Some older Kenmores use a high shank foot. The ruffler is very handy and I use that a good bit, but testing of the settings is necessary. The shirring/gathering foot is a lot the same, but the ruffler is more versatile. Your machine probably has a feed dog drop mechanism (necessary for free motion quilting), you just need to find it. Roller feet are for leather, vinyl/pleather.
I have 2 vintage Singers, both slant machines. There is a screw on leg (3D printed) you can use to be able to use low shank snap on feet. It's worthwhile.
Let me tell you. When I was making one of my first pattern quilts, a 1/4” foot with guide would have saved my sanity. You don’t realize how quickly 1/16” of difference will add up so that instead of having 12” finished squares you have some that are 12” and some that are 11.5”. Primarily I sew apparel, but every once in as awhile I decide to challenge my sanity and sew a quilt. If I need an exact seam allowance, I stack 2-3 pieces of painter’s tape so that I can butt the raw edges of the fabric against the tape.
As a quilter, the walking foot is an absolute essential to my machine to make sure my quilt layers don't move when stitching. Also handy for general sewing so it rarely comes off my machine. If I do swap feet, I do prefer clear plastic feet to metal so you can see what's happening under the foot. I use the darning foot a lot for free hand quilting. I was taught to use it at a quilters camp and the teacher said it is best used after a wine or two 😝 The overcast foot on my sewing machine has a little brush on it to help keep the frayed edges off the needle. I noticed the new feet don't have it anymore but then I worked out this week my sewing machine is now 17 years old so a lot has changed. From my experience, the 1/4 in foot with guide is better than the other guided feet as you run the edge of the fabric on the guide in the same place each time, if you are out by 1/8" on just 8 blocks on a quilt, you can be out by an inch on the finished quilt. If I don't have the guide on the foot, I have to make sure I sit at the exact same angle on the machine each time to make sure the eyes see it the same way each time. It's hard to explain, but if you sew a 1/2in seam when sitting face on to the machine, then do another but move a little to the right or left, the 1/2 in will be in a different spot. Almost like looking at something through the right eye, then the left.
When shirring with the elastic thread you have to hit the fabric with some steam after you sew it and it will shrink up (it’s rather fun to watch, like magic! 😅) Excellent and fun video as usual! I learned about quite a few sewing feet I’ve never heard of.
the overcast foot makes more sense if you try a zigzag on softer fabric. it stops the zigzag from bunching up the edge of the fabric. it's intended to be a sort of replacement for a serger, keeping raw edges from unravelling. the rolled hem foot works, BUT there's a large learning curve to it. and the 1/4" seam guide one I use for doll clothes because there's no guide on the machine for the really small 1/4" seam allowance.
As a lifelong sewer, I thank you so much for making this video. I really enjoyed seeing all of the purposes of the feet. This sewer is going to go grab one of those 42 pcs. kit! Thank you!
You can use braiding foot for sewing on elastic! If you unscrew a little screw in the front the size of a hole can be adjusted. The hole should be slightly narrower then your elastic. Then the elastic will stretch while you sew it onto the fabric and you'll get a very neat gathered fabric. This is a relatively fast way to make a skirt for example
I adore my overlock foot. For one, I slam on that pedal like I'm in a NASCAR race and it just zips away perfectly. I've had a lot of times when I need to overcast like a 5-yard strip. So not having to perfectly line stuff up is NOICE. Secondly, I suck at cutting straight lines, but it will overlock in a straight line and just kind of fold in any wonkiness. Along those lines, I often get it started with extra fabric up over the bar, and it will fold the fabric in as it overlocks, so I'll have double clean edges.
My favorite foot used to be my walking foot. I left it on my machine full time because my stitch came out so much neater. Then I bought a machine that had the even feed built in (all Pfaff brand machines have this) and it changed my life. My new favorite is the edge joining/stitch in the ditch foot. I use it most for topstitching and understitching. Also the straight stitch foot works even better if your machine has a straight stitch plate too.
The rolled hem foot is fantastic for sewing a lettuce hem with fishing line rolled nicely within the hem. I love that one for making chiffon dance skirts (full circle)…also love the ruffler foot for making dance costumes- it does great bunching up lots of fabric onto an elastic waistband- I agree though, it is persnickety.
Ohh I love my ruffler - I have one that fits on my 1919 treadle machine and it was so handy when making an adjustable waist skirt with purse pockets 😉 It has 4 gathered tiers and the hemline was about 16 yards long... Traditional gathering methods were taking forever and not really working, and my ruffler saved my butt!
Walking foot is amazing for any fabric that slides. Velvet, sheer, satin, etc. Zipper feet are required for zippers, does what it says on the box. Clear plastic feet are my preference if available because I can SEE the fabric as it goes under and past the needle. A few other feet like for specific tasks are the blind hem, stitch-in-the-ditch, and a cording foot for small elastic application.
You will love the sew a button by machine when your much older and can’t see the eye of the needle 🪡 when sewing a zipper on use double sided tape and the zipper foot. Walking foot is the best thing ever invented.
As a quilter, the quarter-inch foot is essential! You can use the edge of the foot itself as a guide, letting you watch the stitches and the edges at the same time. The feet I use are: universal, 1/4", blind hem, zipper, and invisible zipper. I've tried the rolled hem foot and had unreliable results 😂💀
I use the piping foot to sew fishing line into hems to get the curly, lettuce-y hems on super lightweight fabric or to add some structure to more heavy fabric hems. Totally agree on the ruffler though, I got one and then was like, wait...the amount of math gymnastics I would have to do to be precise enough for patterns is TOO MUCH.
OMG I want to time stamp a commentary of tips, but will limit myself to the bias foot. If you steam the curve into your bias binding before you attach it, it is easy to put on in one step. The way to do it is to steam it with the pattern beside it as a sort of guide. It doesn't have to be exactly the same as the pattern, just close to it. It's a game changer!
Yeah, I don't love the sound of the walking foot either, but I suspect they're better when they're the one meant for the machine, rather than the "universal" one from Amazon.
I’m 4 mins in and I am so damn here for this. Some of the comments even so far are so interesting because of the type of sewing you do vs what I do. I love it. Thank you!
I really enjoy these videos. It's like all those youtube channels that go and buy from brands so people don't have to, but sewing specific. Extremely beneficial and appreciated. The best addition to our foot collection, is probably the free motion presser foot. Otherwise, we use the regular one or the zipper foot and that's about it.
I was about 5 years in on my sewing journey and I had a wonderful mentor/teacher but when the world of presser feet and how they worked totally changed my sewing abilities 180 degrees. I always aim to make every seam perfect, which leads to a perfect garment. And more expensive machines do sew better. But I find your video fun. And that's what's sewing all about isn't it. Fun!!!
This is such a great take. A lot of presser feet are good and very functional in doing their thing - and you absolutely don't need them for ages, if ever, depending on what you want to sew. Thank you for keeping an open mind, but still making it very clear that all you really *need* to get started is the universal foot and that will get you very far
I think the slow realization that the proper tools really do help is incredibly relatable. The wanting to just knuckle through the familiar hard way? Also relatable.
Me. Totally meeeee
I even have an antique sewing machine with beautiful feet (insert joke here) and haven’t…even…tried…. Lol
Both very relatable feelings, and ones I often run into while computer programming! I learned one way to do a thing, and it can be kinda hard to seek out a better way of doing the thing unless shown. I’m so glad that she is sharing her new-thing exploring for us to learn from too!
Me when I finally used a ball point needle. 😂 😂
Yes I’ve been learning to stop trying to hack everything and use the right tools for the job! 😂
I’ve been sewing for 54 years, and I struggle with taking time to learn a new method because time is SO rare for me (yes, even at my age!) I am trying to force myself to make time to try things that other people are using.
from a deaf person: thank you for all the descriptions of what the machine sounded like and how it affected you. :) VERY appreciated! And yes, I learned a lot - thank you for that too!! :)
I second this! :))
Charlie has such wonderful captions !
@@sammc324 she does!
Two feet is enough for any human. For family reasons I have three machines, I have an old foot pedal. I have a big bag, too, of things I have never used. I studied textiles for years when younger but I still haven’t used all the glamorous metal lures to mighty complicated sewing. I am happy!
My husband walked by right at the beginning of your video and said ″Oh! It's Pockets!″ That is how he was introduced to you, "purse pockets", so now you are known as Pockets in our home. 😂❤
😂❤
I was sewing an apron pattern I'd made after looking at several that didn't quite work for what I wanted, but I accidentally cut out the wrong size patch pockets. My first thought was, "Oh, I'll just sew those 'wrong' smaller pockets onto the correct pockets" and that was because of Charlie or should I say Pockets! One cannot have too many pockets!
@@GennG she has inspired me to find ways to have pockets inside of pockets in so many things! I love that your apron is now "right", for *you*!
Yes, button hole foot for lots of buttons at once. I made a dress up wedding dress and decorated it with 50 shirt buttons.
Ha ha. My husband knows her by the sound of tadaaa... 😂
Okay, so the deal with the walking foot is that it's handy when you're working with multiple layers of fabric. That's why quilters love it- it makes sure your quilt top, batting and backing don't slide out of place. Regular sewists like you and me use it for particularly slippery fabrics, like satin or velvet, or especially for knits. (Stretch velvet or velour are basically the ultimate use case for a walking foot.)
You'll note that the walking foot has its own set of feed dogs, and that's what makes it "walk" the fabric.
I have a walking foot but I happened to watch a video that the person used this type of foot for slippery and multiple layers called a knit foot less hassle than a walking for as just clips on n off but works fab
I like it for denim and other thick fabrics. Easier and neater results.
I have a walking foot/dual feed built into my machine. It's a little arm that comes down and hooks onto the foot, so it can be used with a variety of feet. I use it for almost everything, and it just gives such great results I'm never going back. Highly recommend that feature if anyone is shopping for a new machine.
As someone who just made their wedding dress with multiple layers of satin and voile, the walking foot saved my entire butt multiple times during that project. Even with small basting stitches, a regular foot just wasn't enough.
@@christen5647congratulations on your wedding and making your own dress 🎉
The word "feed dog" comes from engineering nomenclature. A "dog" is any item that moves a part of a mechanism using "teeth" or those little pointy bits on the feed dogs. And to "feed" is to take in any thing like wood, paper, fabric, etc and move it along. So they're literally a mechanism with teeth that feed through fabric or feed dogs
Interesting!
I learned about this due to needing to replace the agitator dogs on 2 separate washing machines.
I feel like it’s so self explanatory, weird that it’s not just something people can figure out on their own given what they look like.
And the on/off may be in the back hidden by the removable cowling.
the button sewing one makes sense for accessibility reasons because like hand sewing just a few buttons for me can make my hand cramp up & be painful but just adjusting the button with the machine would help me so much
I was going to say this. A few different feet mentioned here are helpful for my disabilities.
It's for factories too. Almost nothing you buy will have hand sewn buttons
@@vickymc9695 factories will have a whole separate machine per task, they don't use home sewing machines
I used the button sewing one in lockdown when we were all making those face mask extenders- the bits of elastic with a button on each side so the hospital staff didn’t get sore ears. I made dozens of those things really quickly.
I just like the button seeing foot. It looks cool when it goes snd I like the results. 🤓🤷♀️
"Is the machine threaded correctly?" is the "have you turned it off and on again?" for sewing machine issues. So many times I have not noticed that the machine has unthreaded itself when changing feet or bobbins or needles. So often!
Not forgetting.... When did you last change the needle?...
@@lauraseale8520I feel this is a beginner's worst offense lol
As your experience grows, your appreciation for those presser feet will grow. Ive been sewing for about 50 years and most of my presser feet were bought along the way as I talked to other sewist. I have primarily sewn clothes, including bras, but I've also quilted, made costumes, upholstered and decorated on my simple old machine. The feet take the place of computer model machines. Also, you will find that some feet can work on things you never thought they would work on. Every time you are sewing and having issues, refer back to your other feet. There may be a solutiin right there. (Actually, i have found it to be more than likely.) Its a lot of fun watching you learn and experiment. You use such good common sense! Keep up the great co tent!
This is so inspiring! Do you have any top tips for unexpected uses of presser feet? ☺️
@hannahthufvesson there's a foot for "faggotting" which is where you have your 2 pieces butted up against each other and then you use a fancy stitch to join them. That foot has a vertical piece right in the middle in line with the needle. If you put that foot on your seam, you get a perfect "stitch in the ditch".
@@rondawiebe1505 Thank you! ☺️🙏
“These two feet, wait, wrong platform” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Loved Matt sneaking past in the background @15:31... cracked me up how he looked like a cartoon child sneaking out of the house
It was hilarious 😂
A lot of your "who uses this foot" is either for bridal/heirloom or quilting, and a lot of your issues with how a particular foot works is in your tension and how you hold your fabric. For example rolled hem feet work best when you hold the fabric at an angle to the right, and the overclock foot will actually fold under the edge and "over lock" it if the tension is corrected.
I'm lazy and seldom use pins, but even with pinning I found that when sewing 2 long panels together, like for drapes, they never met up properly at the end. That's where the walking foot came in for me! Since it keeps the top and bottom fabrics moving at the same speed, I no longer end up with an extra inch at the end on one of the pieces, and the entire length is smooth and not puckering. It's just a nicer finished look in the end.
"The right tool for the job" is my mantra! It has saved me from wasting hours and dollars. Specialty tools rock
Crappy tools might do the job but they'll make your life more troublesome than they're worth.
I don't even buy cheap mops anymore. My life already sucks enough I don't need a Dollar tree mop gouging my floors.
This video about comically niche feet was a comically niche resource for my exact situation where a few days ago I bought the 42 feet instead of just one specific foot, so this extremely helpful in a comically niche way
Justice for the roller foot! You used it for the opposite of its actual use! It's a must for sewing leather and pleather
I was going to say this too!
If you can find a roller foot with a split in the middle of the roller, so there are two rollers, it will go around curves easier. Bernina's roller foot is made that way, but I don't know if it is available in a low shank version.
Open toe embroidery foot is for thread painting.
I often have fabric get caught and the roller foot is magic for that
Some of the feet in "who uses this" are more than just quilters - heirloom sewists who make elaborately decorated baby clothes, wedding gowns, and certain costumes use them for the (admittedly!) very specific type of tasks. :D I'm with you on the ruffler and walking feet - OMG, the NOISE is enough to make me wince because it sounds like I'm damaging my machine. :P Been sewing over 40 years and I STILL learn things, too! Keep it up, I love your explorations!!
I use my ruffler A LOT when I'm making soft furnishings and babywear. Once you get past the noise it's incredibly useful. I've had mine 40 years and it comes out several times a year for a good workout.
The cutter overlock foot, (the one with blades that cut the fabric like a serger) also makes the same noise.
The double piping foot: historical costumers making corsets with piping instead of boning. Hahahha
Are you a mind reader?!?! I literally thought the other day “it would be so helpful if someone told me which presser feet are actually helpful for garment construction!”
Same! I've looked at those cheap sewing presser feet sets and wondered whether any of them would be worthwhile. Now I have a better idea.
The zipper foot is really nice for invisible zippers, you can get really close to help it actually be invisible! I didn't even know there was a specific one for invisible zippers lol
I'm in a sewing class and they have that special invisble zipper foot and it is SOOOOO worth it. Really really great for sewing perfect invisible zippers.
Fully agree with the invisible zipper foot! I use both zipper feet and it's now so fast to put in a neat zipper!
Industrial user here. The industrial zipper foot (very narrow) are far...far superior than the domestic one. No need for that specific invisible foot.
Oh Yes, the invisible zipper foot is totally worth it. I have yet to find one for my vintage machined just can't get the same level of finish with my std zipper foot. I can't imagine trying to do an invisible zipper with a universal foot.
It's also good for items where you want to butt a fine seam right against an edge.
I swear I'm the only one who just adores my rolled hem feet. I probably use one on 80% of projects. Maybe there's a knack to it but I find it so much faster than any other hem option and pretty neat too. But somehow every time "sewing tools that didn't meet expectations" convos happen online it is near the top of the list.
I have a handful of those for my 1914 Jones hand crank machine but need more practice with them.
I have a set of these and just can't make it work. I'll have to continue to practice as I hand sew them constantly.
It's a high learning curve foot. When I was in school for fashion design we were told that we would love it or hate it
I think it’s because they can’t make it work… It’s really hard to learn to use it, but once you are able to see its magic, it’s a turning point
They are super persnickety, and I’ve definitely had to put a few projects in timeout with it! But as someone who puts curved hems on *everything*, mine has been a lifesaver on fabrics where I don’t want to bias bind the hem! Such a tidy finish!
I love the "oh no my machine is broken" - "Did you thread it right?" - "HOW DARE Y--Oh." cycle. I have two fairly basic sewing machines that almost never have issues. When they do, it's threading issues. Always the same issue, but never the same issue for each machine.
I love my cording foot for doing my gathering. I put tooth floss in the cording bit. The floss is strong enough for you to pull on and get the gathering you need.
Smart
You can do the same with a universal foot and a zigzag stitch as long as you’re careful not to sew through the dental floss
The zipper foot is also very handy for the second pass of a French seam. It keeps the raw edge from the first pass out of the way just like it does with the zipper teeth. I use it all the time for them.
I use the zipper foot alongside boning and piping. I feel like I use the zipper foot for a lot.
For the overlock/overcast foot, the bar isn't for guiding the fabric...it is to help hold the thread out so it doesn't pull/scrunch in the fabric as you sew. Looking at your samples, it seems like you have a tension issue on your machine (maybe get it serviced if futzing with the settings doesn't fix it) and that is why you didn't notice a difference between the samples. That being said, I never use this foot because I much prefer using an actual serger lol
I agree with your assessment of the feet difference and the tension. I got my feet with my machine so I see the difference between the 2 when I switch my feet. I do prefer the overcast rather than my serger. It uses so much less thread and adds less bulk in my seams, but I think that comes down to a personal preference.
I find if I adjust the tension on the overclock it will fold the edge of the fabric when it does the over stitch and give a nice clean edge.
Overlock
Tension was definitely an issue, but I think the fabric she was testing with was a factor as well. I find it nearly impossible to use the overlock stitch on anything silky without the overlock foot, but it's only slightly better than the universal foot with quilting cotton or anything sturdier. Since I don't have a serger, an overlock foot is in my personal "Keep nearby" category.
On my machine it's also used for a blind hem stitch.
As a general rule of thumb: low shank machines are usually domestics and high shank machines are usually industrials. I’ve gotten really into collecting specialty feet for my industrial Singer, especially topstitch guide feet. It makes life so much easier and topstitching so much more beautiful! Thanks for another awesome video, I love watching you curiously explore every aspect about making things! ✨
Thank you for commenting this. I was about to say the same, when I saw your comment.
For the hemmer foot, you need to use the zigzag stitch... it will roll up the fabric and cover it.... mostly used for the dress rolled hem and in India it is used for the end of duppattas.... I hope it helps..
Omg really!?!? I LOVE the idea, and it's amazing when it works but by golly gosh persnickety is absolutely the word I'd use for it. I saw someone recommend ironing the hem in first to make it work, but then like... Why would I need the foot if I've done the work!? I'll have to try with a zig zag!
@@MegaKellyschannelb
As a very shiny new sewist who approaches my fiance's mom's sewing machine (which is the only one I currently have access to) like it's a wild animal that I'm trying not to spook, it's so helpful to see videos where you're kind of learning too. Sometimes I'm intimidated by people who have been working with machines and all the attachments for ages lol.
🤣 ... it's a wild animal that I'm trying not to spook ...
As my hands have had increasing dexterity issues, I’ve been relying more on the specialty stuff and they’ve saved my sanity. The cording foot is also awesome if you ever make your own piping!
I have been sewing for 25 years and I only used the universal foot and the zipper foot for the first 10. But over the last 15 years, I have gotten adventurous and started to realize that sometimes the extra two minutes it takes to change the foot makes your product looks so much nicer and can cut down the frustration. I had the same experience as you with the invisible zipper foot. And I never did another traditional zipper unless I was forced to.
The foot that guides trims and beads right down the center is great for zigzagging over a piece of string to gather a long, thick piece of fabric.
The free motion foot intended for top quilting is really great for appliquéing lace, or any other kind of embellishment.
I love how I got to see some of the feet in action that I could never find a reason to use!
Such a fun video! Thank you so much for sharing!
The free motion foot is also good for darning, and is actually also called a darning foot :)
The overcast foot helps a lot when you don't have a serger and you want to finish the raw edge, especially when the fabric is soft. The pin holds the thread as it wraps the edge so it doesn't roll up the fabric. Just so you knoe😂!
Gasp! Free feets!
As far as I know plastic vs metal is about the friction on different fabrics. Sometimes one will work better than the other.
I have a hem roller foot that makes 6 mm hems with very minimal effort once you figure out how to use it. And since I make a ton of cloth napkins (gifts/selling) it saves an absolute mountain of time. It does take some practice, and I found that if you start by hand rolling, putting the presser down, doing like 6 stitches, then putting the needle down, lifting the foot and feeding it into the roller before putting it back down
My machine is so "smart" it gets angry at me if I try stitching without the needle down 🙄 sure, 99% of the time that's handy and I have just forgotten, but that 1%... Oooh the rage.
Someone probably already said this, but as a quilter, a 1/4” seam is THE seam. It is the only we use unless we’re doing something other than piecing. It is also essential to be very accurate with that 1/4” seam so that all of our blocks end up a uniform size, so having a foot that helps with precision is key. I now have my scant 1/4” seam set perfectly on my machine, but before I knew about the scant 1/4”, my 1/4” foot was basically the only presser foot I used other than the walking foot. So yes, who uses this? Quilters. All day, everyday. And the one with the guide is also super helpful, especially as a beginner. But I completely understand why it would seem frivolous as a garment sewist.
Yes, and I use the dual feed 1/4 foot (#97) on my Bernina. Perfect combo. Also with the straight stitch plate.😊
The double welting foot is used in upholstery, but i have seen costubers use them for corded stays and petticoats.
It is also used to cover where gimp could also be used. It’s glued over staples and is just another option for a trim that’s flat and can be glued to the fabric. You will see it where fabric is stapled to wood.
I want one now for when I do cording on my stays and corsets 🤣
That was definitely my first go to
The roller foot is meant for use with pvc coated fabrics and pleather which tend to stick to regular presser feet.
Another reason for some of the more niche feet is that those of us with chronic hand pain or arthritis physically can’t hand sew anymore and those special feet give us back the ability to sew on buttons etc. It was fun to see all the possibilities available! Thanks :)
I'm sorry the ruffler foot didn't work out for you! I sewed 25 ballet tutus last year for my studio and the thought of hand gathering that much tulle that tight by hand is Not Fun.
If you decide to play with it again it might need a little oiling. Also might be worth checking your tension?
Thank you so much! Your channel is such a lovely place to be xx
I used mine for making a bedskirt for a double bed. It would have been a horrendously long edge to gather by hand, but I seldom use it. I'd put it in novelty grab
I think that with the ruffle foot you kind of work "the other way around", if that makes sense? Like instead of cutting your to-be- ruffled-fabric to the right size and ruffle until it fits the part it goes on, with the foot you ruffle a strip of fabric until you have enough ruffle for the part you put it on.
I hope this makes sense, it's very late here 😅
Omg im commenting so much on this video... but! Alton Brown has a similar thought about kitchen gadgets, where he talks about the silliness of having a single-function tool instead of just using a kitchen knife properly. You're absolutely giving me those vibes with the 1/4", 1/4" with edge, 6mm lace, 3mm lace, etc feet.
So true. I was just thinking that multipurpose tools are always welcome where as specific use tools are nice but not necessary. Of course that changes if someone does intricate details with beads on every project or custom orders.
The thing with the 1/4 inch and the 6 mm foot is also: 1/4 inch is roughly 6 mm, so it's the same, but just named differently so people can look up sizes for their used measure system easily.
I love my walking foot and I use it frequently. Also love my quarter inch seam allowance foot. I use all my feet.
Edit: quilter here. I also make clothes.
about the bias binding foot: bias binding is also used a lot in bags, and in that you have a lot of straight lines to bind because the purpose of the bias binding is different from wearables (on wearables bias binding is the best for curves, meanwhile on bags it's because a lot of seams have the raw edge of the fabric on the outside of the bag and bags are made in thicker fabrics so things like french seams are non applicable)
Can confirm most of these are for incredibly specific tasks. The cording foot, button hole foot, and the button foot were always set up on 3 different machines in the factory, and never got swapped off.
A lot this would only save you time as part of manufacturing.
I used a ruffler at age 13. Mom and I made a bedspread and ruffled curtains, in 1968. As i recall, it was complicated. Love the jaguar.
2 mins in and I was like, she's going to keep a bunch of feet on hand. 🤣
Not even halfway and you're already have 6 feet on "nearby" list. :)
way to go!🎉
The walking foot works well for slippery fabrics as well. Which you don’t seem to use that much, so novelty grab seems good for you. It’s in my “duh” category 😊
I don’t even get my walking foot off my machine any more.
Same.
Same, it’s not like it has an adverse effect sewing on fabrics that don’t specifically need it. I just leave mine on ❤
Love my walking foot and I also almost never take it off.
I left mine on too.
Likewise. I got used to it when I was making bags and now I use it most of the time.
It’s TOO FUNNY, that you put the overcast foot in “what on earth” bc my partner specifically had me buy this for my machine so they could use it. It ended up being my second most used foot (other than universal of course 😂). I really like it to easily zip through finishing raw edges of garments or finishing edges before pre-washing my fabric. It’s a serger-like finish without investing in a serger. I know you rock those French seams though 🎉🎉 so it makes sense where they ended up in the tier list!
Yes that's also one of my favorites! Would go in the 'keep nearby' tier for me. I don't need a serger machine and I don't like the zigzags for finishing raw edges.
I use mine to make top stitching really close to the edge after turning thing right side out.
I used the overcast for the first time about 6 months ago and my thought was "oh my god, why haven't I used this before now?!" It was so nice for helping make a clean edge and not having so many raveling threads.
I’m new to sewing and it’s still crazy to me that she put that one there.
Madam Sew has the best kit of presser feet, and I use a bunch of them. She also has some fun ones I want to get. The roller is good for things like vinyl or sticky fabrics. I love the open-toe foot for when I need to really see where I am stitching or thick fabrics. You really need to open your mind to all the kinds of fabrics. After many years of sewing I have found different feet make my sewing look better. I am not sure that is your goal.
The walking foot might be a hassle to put on, but I found it ESSENTIAL for pleather/vinyl, and also really thick fabrics like denim. I've accidentally wrecked a universal presser foot when I was trying to sew multiple layers of denim, the presser foot was going "uphill" and the needle hit the foot
I have a flannel and denim rag edge blanket on the project list and I think you just saved my sanity. Thanks!
13:42 the walking foot is designed for bulky things like quilting, OR stretchy things like knits where the layers don’t want to stay together.
I’m not even into the rankings and this is the most useful sewing video I have seen in a long time
"Do you ever feel like you've learned too much in too short a time?"
Yes. Yes I do. Right now. I'm no novice, but I've learned SO MUCH from your video! And now I know I need to get some more feet for my machine.
A satin stitch is closer together than you used, and my universal foot ABSOLUTELY jams. I pull out my satin foot or open toe foot for it because otherwise I start yelling at my machine.
Came here to say this. It should end up looking more like a "bar" of thread where you can't see it's just a zig zag.
Your white ziczag foot could probably be a Teflon foot for leather. Just so you know in case you ever need one.
A Teflon foot works very well on faux leather and other slippery fabrics as well (not for shifting between layers, but for top stiches and such), it was an absolute game changer for my various waist bags (alternative to handbags)! Before I had it there was no way for me of getting a decent or even nice seam on some fabrics.
Any foot that is white is a teflon foot which works well on plastics, vinyl. I use it when I am making clear plastic or clear vinyl pouches to store my notions. A diy hack would be to place low adhesive painters tape on the bottom of your universal foot (cut a clearing for the needle). The teflon feet are pricey.
The large opening foot works really well on doing lapped seams like on jeans. The braiding foot, when you have silken cord braiding trim, makes a big difference because it is so slippery.
Ooh, I didn't think about using it for jeans!
I think the braiding foot would be amazing for sewing the narrow trim on military uniforms. I always had a hard time keeping the trim in a straight line.
@@kathyjohnson2043 it was a happy accident that I figure out this little trick.
I used to think the overlocking foot wasn't helpful, but it actually has saved my butt with garments! The bar gives the thread some breathing room so that the edge doesn't get pulled in. It really helps, the more you use it.
Someone has probably said it already - but the shirring foot is for gathering, not for use with shirring elastic. In the 'olden days', before shirring elastic, 'shirring' could be done by machine and it was not meant to stretch. It was much faster than doing it by hand hand which involves rows of gathering stitched parallel to each other (say, 3/8" apart). It controlled fullness and looked decorative.
To 'shirr' with elastic you usually wind the bobbin with the shirring elastic - slightly stretched as you wind it - and then use a narrow zigzag with ordinary thread in the needle to stitch the elastic onto the wrong side of the fabric. (That is, right side of fabric faces up, bobbin 'thread' is stitched to the wrong side.) It's great because it is both decorative and stretchy but has the downside that it is prone to lose its stretch and sag over time and is a pain to remove and replace with fresh shirring elastic.
The modern rufflers are not as good as the vintage ones. My vintage ones are great and their are wonderful instructions in the old Singer manuals for how to achieve a variety of tasks. (There are quite a few of these available for free online for the older Singer machines. Look on the ISMACS website in their Singer, sewing machine manuals section. The manual for the Singer 201 model is very good. These feet very often require the presser foot pressure to be increased a little to work their best, and they are not suitable for very thick, stiff or heavy fabrics.
If you buy a vintage one double-check that both blades are intact - from time to time you find one where the 'toothed' (upper) blade is broken and then they don't work well and are apt to chew the fabric! :-)
I used to teach the basic sewing class at my local JoAnn's, and the way i taught it was a crash course on machine workings, a small project, gloss over pattern info (a lot of the time we ran over). I always encouraged people to bring in their own machines to class so i could walk around and point out the parts to everyone. It was always fun to see what machines people brought, how parts differed, and how things are the same. 3 basic feet your machine needs to have: the universal (duh), the zipper foot, and the buttonhole foot. The buttonhole foot varies by model because machines stitch buttonholes differently. The rest you get when they will solve a problem lol.
The plastic feet are particularly good for materials that are a little grabby. Leather or vinyl particularly. I also like it for foiled or coated fabrics.
So my fringe foot is called a tailors tack foot. Like when you need to sew in markings on fabric that wont let chalk stick.
As a sewer of about 60 years, I have found that I truly need the buttonhole, zipper and invisible zipper feet, and the walking foot is the one that lives on my machine. I too bought that 42 piece set of feet.
The walking foot is awesome for swing things that are thick, stretchy, or prone to distort. So it's great for quilting (whether you're making a blanket or a jacket), sewing knits with a zigzag, and fabric with a nap. For me it's something that I keep nearby when I'm sewing because so often problems are solved by using it.
I loved the "loud" ruffler foot, when making tons of costumes with ruffled layers of tulle. I cut long stripes (as long as the length of my fabric actually using a box knife), then sew them on, cut at the end and start the next layer. It safed me so much time and pain.
As a quilter my go to feet are 1/4 seam foot, universal, Walking, free motion. And when I branch out zipper, button hole.. 100% sure I have more than I even recognize in my stash though. Also, I have 2 free motion feet and they each work better one machine than the other… yes, I have more than 1 sewing machine….
Walking Foot. I do not Quilt, I lean towards garments, draperies and upholstery but... Not just for slippery fabrics and knits. It is also helps to keep striped fabric even. If you, like me, are a bit on the OCD side, seeing your striped garment unevenly matched from one panel to the other would most likely send you into a frenzy, much like crooked picture frames on a wall, the walking foot is a must have. But like anything new, it's something to get used to. Practice makes perfect
Ruffling Foot- Again practice makes perfect, you have to adjust your tensions, I would much rather use the ruffler to sitting there pulling on a thread in the hopes it wont break while I try to make a ruffle, also being able to ruffle onto the bodice or a band at once saves lots of time.
Shirring Foot- Adjust top tension, stitch length and bobbin tension to get the desired effect. Again practice makes perfect.
As you seem to have a hard time dealing with simply changing your presser feel out, most of these may not be for you (No Shade). However, for those who do certain kinds of sewing (quilters, upholsterers and so on) and who appreciate taking time with the process and more importantly the end results, many, not all of these presser feet are a must have. thanks for the presentation. Peace P.S. Been sewing on and off for about 50 years, taught on a singer treadle by my grandmother. 😊
Getting a rolled hem started with a rolled hem foot is an absolute PITA. My solution for this is to hand stitch a length of thread at the beginning of the fabric, making it long enough so I can wrap it around my fingers. I use this as a sort of pull handle, to help me pull the fabric straight through the roll. It takes a little practice but it really works.
The first kit had a walking foot, which was why it was expensive. Mostly used by quilters, but also very handy for knits, which you sew a lot! When one layer of your knit fabric seems to grow longer when sewing, a walking foot will help solve that problem. Most Singers, Brothers, Pfaffs, from antique to modern, use low shank feet. However, the slantomatic Singers from the mid 50s - 60s use only slant shank feet. Some older Kenmores use a high shank foot. The ruffler is very handy and I use that a good bit, but testing of the settings is necessary. The shirring/gathering foot is a lot the same, but the ruffler is more versatile. Your machine probably has a feed dog drop mechanism (necessary for free motion quilting), you just need to find it. Roller feet are for leather, vinyl/pleather.
I have 2 vintage Singers, both slant machines. There is a screw on leg (3D printed) you can use to be able to use low shank snap on feet. It's worthwhile.
Let me tell you. When I was making one of my first pattern quilts, a 1/4” foot with guide would have saved my sanity. You don’t realize how quickly 1/16” of difference will add up so that instead of having 12” finished squares you have some that are 12” and some that are 11.5”. Primarily I sew apparel, but every once in as awhile I decide to challenge my sanity and sew a quilt. If I need an exact seam allowance, I stack 2-3 pieces of painter’s tape so that I can butt the raw edges of the fabric against the tape.
Double piping sometimes shows up on historical garments
I'd be using it for cording corsets/stays... Looks very handy for that
As a quilter, the walking foot is an absolute essential to my machine to make sure my quilt layers don't move when stitching. Also handy for general sewing so it rarely comes off my machine. If I do swap feet, I do prefer clear plastic feet to metal so you can see what's happening under the foot. I use the darning foot a lot for free hand quilting. I was taught to use it at a quilters camp and the teacher said it is best used after a wine or two 😝
The overcast foot on my sewing machine has a little brush on it to help keep the frayed edges off the needle. I noticed the new feet don't have it anymore but then I worked out this week my sewing machine is now 17 years old so a lot has changed.
From my experience, the 1/4 in foot with guide is better than the other guided feet as you run the edge of the fabric on the guide in the same place each time, if you are out by 1/8" on just 8 blocks on a quilt, you can be out by an inch on the finished quilt. If I don't have the guide on the foot, I have to make sure I sit at the exact same angle on the machine each time to make sure the eyes see it the same way each time. It's hard to explain, but if you sew a 1/2in seam when sitting face on to the machine, then do another but move a little to the right or left, the 1/2 in will be in a different spot. Almost like looking at something through the right eye, then the left.
When shirring with the elastic thread you have to hit the fabric with some steam after you sew it and it will shrink up (it’s rather fun to watch, like magic! 😅) Excellent and fun video as usual! I learned about quite a few sewing feet I’ve never heard of.
the overcast foot makes more sense if you try a zigzag on softer fabric. it stops the zigzag from bunching up the edge of the fabric. it's intended to be a sort of replacement for a serger, keeping raw edges from unravelling. the rolled hem foot works, BUT there's a large learning curve to it. and the 1/4" seam guide one I use for doll clothes because there's no guide on the machine for the really small 1/4" seam allowance.
The braiding foot we use with fishing line on a bias edge of something like chiffon or organza to make the gorgeous lettucey edge look.
Thank you for these explorations, Charlie! It helps those of us who are intimidated by the potential expense of sewing, as a hobby.
It also depends on your machine, because for a Bernina you do not need to unscrew anything. the walking foot just clips on.
As a lifelong sewer, I thank you so much for making this video. I really enjoyed seeing all of the purposes of the feet. This sewer is going to go grab one of those 42 pcs. kit! Thank you!
Timestamps for future review!
Stitch guide foot: 7:25
Button Sewing Foot: 8:50
Zipper foot: 10:55
Walking foot: 12:20
Ruffler foot: 15:13
All purpose Zig Zag Foot Jaguar: 19:46
Invisible Zipper foot/Plastic: 21:06
Straight Stitch foot: 23:26
Gathering/Shirring foot: 24:57
Open toe/Large Opening foot: 27:53
Edge Joining foot: 29:18
Knit foot: 30:44
Roller foot: 32:33
Darning foot: 33:39
Adjustable Bias tape binder foot: 35:16
Blind stitch foot: 36:32
Pintuck feet: 37:19
Overcast/overlock foot: 38:53
Double Welting foot: 40:16
Braiding foot: 41:09
Fringe foot: 41:45
Hemmer/roll of lace feet: 43:06
Clear Open toe embrodiery foot: 44:11
Applique foot (didn't fit her machine): 44:30
1/4" Quilting foot (piecing?)/with edge: 44:51
Satin Stitch foot: 45:56
Cording feet: 46:56
Beading feet: 49:37
Final Tier List: 51:11
Bloops: 53:35
Thanks you!!
Thank you! So useful, It should be the top comment honestly :)
Thanks a bunch 👍👍👍
The jaguar one looks great for sewing lingerie or swimwear
You can use braiding foot for sewing on elastic! If you unscrew a little screw in the front the size of a hole can be adjusted. The hole should be slightly narrower then your elastic. Then the elastic will stretch while you sew it onto the fabric and you'll get a very neat gathered fabric. This is a relatively fast way to make a skirt for example
I adore my overlock foot. For one, I slam on that pedal like I'm in a NASCAR race and it just zips away perfectly. I've had a lot of times when I need to overcast like a 5-yard strip. So not having to perfectly line stuff up is NOICE. Secondly, I suck at cutting straight lines, but it will overlock in a straight line and just kind of fold in any wonkiness. Along those lines, I often get it started with extra fabric up over the bar, and it will fold the fabric in as it overlocks, so I'll have double clean edges.
My favorite foot used to be my walking foot. I left it on my machine full time because my stitch came out so much neater. Then I bought a machine that had the even feed built in (all Pfaff brand machines have this) and it changed my life. My new favorite is the edge joining/stitch in the ditch foot. I use it most for topstitching and understitching. Also the straight stitch foot works even better if your machine has a straight stitch plate too.
I loved that Matt tried to sneak by the door close to the beginning of the video and the puppy went running after him lol.
I have a hard time sewing on buttons, so a button sewing foot is actually really useful for me, even having to line up each one carefully.
"I don't know that a regular presser foot would get stuck doing this." *Mine does. Often.*
The rolled hem foot is fantastic for sewing a lettuce hem with fishing line rolled nicely within the hem. I love that one for making chiffon dance skirts (full circle)…also love the ruffler foot for making dance costumes- it does great bunching up lots of fabric onto an elastic waistband- I agree though, it is persnickety.
This is so weird, I just bought this exact kit of presser feet for myself and my mom the other day! I'm excited to see them all in action!!!
I suddenly feel the strangest urge to buy a jumbo pack of feet and then see how many of them I can work into my next few projects.
Best video I’ve seen on using my machine’s feet. Like your style of presentation.
Ohh I love my ruffler - I have one that fits on my 1919 treadle machine and it was so handy when making an adjustable waist skirt with purse pockets 😉 It has 4 gathered tiers and the hemline was about 16 yards long... Traditional gathering methods were taking forever and not really working, and my ruffler saved my butt!
I didn't know I needed an hour long video about presser feet, but I had fun and my knitting and crochet projects were advanced, yay!:D
Walking foot is amazing for any fabric that slides. Velvet, sheer, satin, etc. Zipper feet are required for zippers, does what it says on the box. Clear plastic feet are my preference if available because I can SEE the fabric as it goes under and past the needle. A few other feet like for specific tasks are the blind hem, stitch-in-the-ditch, and a cording foot for small elastic application.
You will love the sew a button by machine when your much older and can’t see the eye of the needle 🪡 when sewing a zipper on use double sided tape and the zipper foot. Walking foot is the best thing ever invented.
As a quilter, the quarter-inch foot is essential! You can use the edge of the foot itself as a guide, letting you watch the stitches and the edges at the same time. The feet I use are: universal, 1/4", blind hem, zipper, and invisible zipper. I've tried the rolled hem foot and had unreliable results 😂💀
I use the piping foot to sew fishing line into hems to get the curly, lettuce-y hems on super lightweight fabric or to add some structure to more heavy fabric hems. Totally agree on the ruffler though, I got one and then was like, wait...the amount of math gymnastics I would have to do to be precise enough for patterns is TOO MUCH.
OMG I want to time stamp a commentary of tips, but will limit myself to the bias foot. If you steam the curve into your bias binding before you attach it, it is easy to put on in one step. The way to do it is to steam it with the pattern beside it as a sort of guide. It doesn't have to be exactly the same as the pattern, just close to it. It's a game changer!
Yeah, I don't love the sound of the walking foot either, but I suspect they're better when they're the one meant for the machine, rather than the "universal" one from Amazon.
I’m 4 mins in and I am so damn here for this. Some of the comments even so far are so interesting because of the type of sewing you do vs what I do. I love it. Thank you!
45 mins in - with the guide edge always set at 1/4 is my go to foot lol its quilters. We use it. I love this.
I really enjoy these videos. It's like all those youtube channels that go and buy from brands so people don't have to, but sewing specific. Extremely beneficial and appreciated.
The best addition to our foot collection, is probably the free motion presser foot. Otherwise, we use the regular one or the zipper foot and that's about it.
I was about 5 years in on my sewing journey and I had a wonderful mentor/teacher but when the world of presser feet and how they worked totally changed my sewing abilities 180 degrees. I always aim to make every seam perfect, which leads to a perfect garment. And more expensive machines do sew better. But I find your video fun. And that's what's sewing all about isn't it. Fun!!!
Honestly this is such a great exercise I should probably go through my manual and try out anything in there I haven’t done before
This is such a great take. A lot of presser feet are good and very functional in doing their thing - and you absolutely don't need them for ages, if ever, depending on what you want to sew. Thank you for keeping an open mind, but still making it very clear that all you really *need* to get started is the universal foot and that will get you very far