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Learn The Basic Sewing Machine Presser Feet

January 14, 2016 by Margaret 4 Comments

The basic sewing machine feet

There are 100's of different sewing machine feet and attachments available for today's sewing machines. In this video and post, I am going to cover the basic feet that usually come with a new sewing machine. I do plan on covering the others in future post and videos!

For now, let's look at some of the more popular and handier presser feet and attachments made for our modern sewing machines. 

The Essential Feet Usually Included With New Machines

All purpose sewing foot

  1. All-purpose Foot. This foot has quite a few names: the standard foot, zigzag foot, universal presser foot, all-purpose foot, and general purpose presser foot. It has a wide needle hole that fits the widest stitch on your sewing machine. It is the foot you will use mostZipper Foot
  2. The two-sided zipper foot. It snaps onto your sewing machine like any other snap-on presser foot, but instead of snapping on in the center, you snap it onto either the left or the right side of the center of the foot. It lets you get closer to what you are sewing than you can get with the standard presser foot.Blindhem foot
  3. Adjustable Blind Hem Foot. You turn that little wheel on the right-hand side to move the white guide left or right. The fold of the fabric buts against the guide and the machine sews a blind hem, catching just a little of the fold in the swing of the stitch.Overcast sewing foot
  4.  The buttonhole foot. There are two common types of buttonhole feet, the 1 step and the 4 step. The four-step buttonhole is referred to as an automatic buttonhole foot. It creates the buttonhole in one step with no measuring required.  The With the 4 step buttonhole foot you have to measure the button and make the buttonhole in 4-steps on your sewing machine.Buttonhole FootIf you sew clothing the buttonhole foot will quickly become one of your favorite feet. It looks odd but is easy to use once you get the hang of it.

Sometimes Included

5. overlocking foot, also called an Overcasting Foot, even though it is for a sewing machine and not for an overlocker/serger. There is a metal guide against which you butt the edge of the fabric. Using a zigzag stitch or any other overcasting stitch on your sewing machine that will fit, you neaten the raw edge to prevent it from fraying.

Singer Satin Stitch Special Purpose Foot
6.  Satin Stitch Foot, also called a monogramming foot, and possibly an embroidery stitch foot. It looks very like a standard presser foot, except it may be wider and it has a deeper tunnel underneath for the denser stitching to go through smoothly. If you tried satin stitching with your standard presser foot, the fabric might not feed through because the stitches wouldn't fit under your standard presser foot. It would be like trying to get a lorry under a too-low bridge.Button Sewing Foot7. Button Sewing Foot. You use it with the feed dogs down or covered so the fabric and the button to stay put. It goes on your sewing machine with the blue end facing you and the button underneath. Set your sewing machine to a zigzag stitch. Turn the handwheel towards you; to make sure the width lets the needle go down the holes on the button.

Sunbeam® Sewing Machine Presser Feet Set ,For Brother, Singer, Babylock, Janome

Amazon has the above Sewing Machine Presser Feet Set priced for under $20.

 

Did I Forget Any?

If there is a particular sewing machine foot or attachment you would like information on? Please, leave a comment and I'll be sure to add it to my list of upcoming videos and post!

The essential sewing machine feet. What they do and how to use them

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    How To Use The Rolled Hem Presser Foot
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    Sewing 101: Basic Sewing Terms You Need To Know
  • The Four Basic Sewing Seams
    The Four Basic Sewing Seams
  • The Basic Supplies To Alter Patterns and Sew a Wardrobe
    The Basic Supplies To Alter Patterns and Sew a Wardrobe
« Types of Scissors Used in Sewing and Crafting
How to Change Out The Feet On Your Sewing Machine »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Delores

    January 03, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    I reveived the blind hem attachment today, but there is not a little wheel to turn on the roght hand side. So needle hits metal in cener of sew ppening. I need help. Thanks

    Reply
    • Margaret

      January 04, 2018 at 4:57 am

      Not all blind hem feet are adjustable. You'll have to adjust your needle position.

      Reply
  2. Maudé

    May 02, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    Hallo. The tutorials are good, but I'm not sure of all of them.
    My biggist request will be where can I find a manual or someone who can help me. I got a steel singer machine , made in Italy. I cannot get the foot to go down to the material at all. Looked at so many videos but it seems I can't find the model. There is a word, number by the wheel CATWAT-511. It has straight stitch and zig zag and a knob with the word MICRO on it. I live in South Africa and have tried numerous places. Seems this machine is not part of what I can see.

    If you can give advise, i will highly appreciate it.
    Thank you
    Maudé

    Reply
    • Margaret

      May 03, 2022 at 9:42 am

      It is not a machine I am familiar with. I'd suggest reaching out to the singer sewing machine company directly.

      Reply

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