When and How to Use a Walking Foot for Dressmaking

Walking feet, quilting feet, dual feed or even feed feet are a wonderful addition to your sewing tools collection whether you're into dressmaking, quilting or crafting. In this video I explain what they are and how they work, when to use one and show you how to attach one to a sewing machine. I'll also talk you through the different types of walking feet and the attachments you can use with them and will also show you a Pfaff sewing machine with a built in walking foot, also know as IDT or Integrated Dual Technology. We stock walking feet for a wide range of all the top brands of sewing machine including Husqvarna Viking, Janome, Brother and Elna, we also stock the full range of Pfaff sewing machines and the IDT feet and accessories to go with machines which include the IDT technology. I've included links to the relevant pages on our website below where you can find walking feet and accessories for all these brands of sewing machine and also compatibility charts so you can check you are buying the right foot for your specific machine.
► Sew Essential www.sewessential.co.uk
► Instagram / sewessentialuk
► Pfaff sewing machines www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Pfaff sewing machine accessories www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Sewing machine accessories www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Brother sewing machine accessories and feet www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Husqvarna sewing machine accessories and feet www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Janome sewing machine accessories and feet www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...

[@letitiathomson914]

The Pfaff machines are fabulous, I’ve been using them for over fifty years. Oh dear that shows my age🤭🇦🇺

[@vanshellable]

Me too, so used to the built in dual feed I’d never want to be without it.

[@wilmaaugusto3762]

😄😄😄

[@wilmaaugusto3762]

😄😄😄

[@judiesiewert248]

Thanks Lucy. I am really glad that I bought the walking foot for my Janome from you a few months ago! I use it all the time. I asked my sewing friend ‘Why didn’t you tell me to buy a walking foot?!’ 🤣

[@christinahowe7329]

Yes ! I’d had one of these walking feet for years, from an old box of singer attachment. Now I’m brave enough to try it on my new Janome. It works . Brilliantly. Thank you.

[@oakavon]

I just put my walking foot on for the first time after 43years of sewing!! I’m about to tackle sewing a nightie for my 93yr old mum in the slipperiest fabric possible.

[@rosaliepingree4198]

I have a Pfaff Passport 2 and it has a built in walking foot. I love it and couldn't sew with out it! Pittsburgh, PA USA

[@janetlink9756]

Didnt know husqvarna had a walking foot with different attachable feet. Thankyou, good to know

[@annethompson4886]

But how do you know which foot to use?

[@annikaszameitat8137]

Thank you for this incredibly useful video. Bonus: OMG, the quilting guide!! I have been wondering for YEARS what that odd stick thing is for! 😀

[@janhumphreys4026]

Brilliant video Lucy. I now need to follow your lead, always a bit apprehensive at first though! Thankyou very much.

[@crystaltaylor138]

Never mind the walking foot, Lucy your top/dress is fabulous

[@saraalicea3363]

Love it, thanks 😊 for sharing ❤️

[@louisepartridge6644]

Thank you Lucy. Really useful info.

[@patsydors]

Lucy, another wonderful helpful video! Thank you

[@opiatepix]

Great video, thanks, Lucy!

[@annebrown3538]

This was just what I needed 😀

[@anneburke2405]

Thank you so, so much. I bought a walking foot for my Janome machine but didn’t realise that I can use it for so many different fabrics. I’m very excited so I’m off to see what I can do. Thank you again, I am so pleased.

[@maryjaneharris6187]

I love all your videos but this one was especially informative. Thank you.

[@julialongmore5420]

Your top is gorgeous. Love the fabric. X

[@jilldickson3059]

Superb presentation Lucy, very informative, covering the brands most folk will be using. I love the way you approach these videos, your sincerity and enjoyment shine through - it's infectious and has been much appreciated through the lockdown marathon!

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

I love your sewing machine in the background

[@lizlisle7361]

Thank you so much for including a comparison chart for the Janome machines. It made it easy for me to find out the type of machine I have (category B) and buy the correct walking foot.

[@tessalee6253]

Thank you 💐 Perfect timing 🤩 as I am about to sew flower-girl dresses with layers of satin, tulle and chiffon. I have never used my Janome walking foot, so it will be great to try it out. 💗🌟

[@vickiwalsh5099]

Thank you Lucy. Now I know how to properly attach my walking foot. 👍💜

[@cathytarapacz]

Great info thanku

[@mariefink3024]

Fantastic!!! Thank you.

[@catherinerw1]

Thankyou for explaining what the integrated walking foot system is; I've often seen them in people's KZbin sewing videos, and been bemused what they are! I've not yet got a walking foot myself, but am very much enjoying the Brother A50 that I bought from you recently :)

[@teresanguessan5408]

Absolutely brilliant. I already have the Husqvarna walking foot - but only ever used it for quilting 🙄. I also hadn’t realised there were additional interchangeable feet. Thank you so much; you’ve just solved several dressmaking problems I’ve had.

[@fionnualaryan7584]

Thank you so much. You are brilliant at explaining and at making sewing understandable

[@stacymcintyre1796]

This was very helpful, thank you. I'm struggling with jersey and t-shirt fabric and I'm hoping this will help. Going to try today :-)

[@daleodberg6714]

Thank you, very helpful information.

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

I got that quilting bar with my White machine years ago. Been wondering what it does for almost twenty years…. Thanks! I actually have use for it. Seems it’d be great for pin ticks and other such, to keep things even.

[@mrsthomsonsvideos450]

Excellent video. I have always thought about buying one, however, didn’t fully understand what they are used for. Thank you.

[@hamiltonharris5667]

Great show and teacher 😊

[@daleodberg6714]

Thank you again.

[@madelinevallejo988]

I learned a lot from this video. I will be visiting your web site. Thank you. Gb.

[@sarahpengelly8439]

This is a really good presentation - thank you! I'm trying to learn a lot right now having just abandoned my old Pfaff classic 1259 & have bought a sparkling Janome Skyline S5. I had the attached optional walking foot as you demonstrated in the video on my old machine. Couldn't ever seem to get it to do its job especially trying to sew through quilt layers.... The owner of the sewing machine shop I've just bought this from in the Netherlands, said it is basic but very sturdy & still very much in demand as a second hand machine. Maybe it needed servicing ? Nevermind. It has done me well for 20 yrs & I'm looking forward to using the Janome. Totally new technology, it's still very much a scary beast to me!😊

[@cherylp.3347]

What a great, helpful tutorial. I have the janome walking foot pieces but didn’t know what to use them for other than quilting. My seams didn’t line up on a zipped, fuzzy , plush housecoat I made recently. ( don’t remember the fabric name) Now I know why.

[@vanshellable]

My Pfaff machine has the IDF set almost all the time. Rarely have to turn it off!

[@dianalieskovsky8729]

Very good. 😉☺️😄

[@juliemulie1805]

A flat surface is indispensable to prevent seam distortion. Fabric hanging off the bed of the machine will cause pulling that the walking foot cannot correct. Pfaff IDT is my favorite for lingerie as it is not as bulky as most. I use my Pfaff IDT to baste knits before they go to the serger or CS machine.

[@elainemartin7740]

Thankyou Lucy now I know what they're for. Loved the dress you were wearing in this video any chance you could share who's pattern you used?

[@suenightingale1406]

And the fabric please. Its beautiful ❤

[@lynettecarver1217]

Very useful video thank you Lucy. All I need now is to know where I should be looking on your website as there are so many sub-sections. I have a Husqvarna Viking emerald 116, so would appreciate some help in finding the correct one.

[@michaelgracewatts2943]

Yes, I found it invaluable when sewing double gauze. Thank you Lucy for handy tips. Grace

[@hilaryberry7133]

What is the top / dress you are wearing, please? Love the neckline.

[@ruthlanwarne8978]

Thank you for this useful video. How do you gauge the seam allowance as so much is obscured.? I bought my Janome walking foot from John Lewis but there were no attachments with it .

[@yvonnemadden7905]

Great presentation! I have the Husqvarna Interchangeable dual feed. Unfortunately I no longer have the zig zag sole and have not been able to find a replacement. I'm wondering if you can recommend one of the other feet that would effectively double as my zig zag foot for garment making. I am a dressmaker not a quilter.

[@dagmarfrerking2235]

Great info. However, one correction: these feet do not attach to the needle bar, but to the presser bar. Oh, and the little attachment the other feet clip into is called an 'ankle'.

[@LL-ue5vg]

Thanks for a very helpful video. I want to use my old Janome sewing machine to sew through leather. (Layers) Would the walking foot solve this?

[@vibecketantet]

Hi there, I cant seem to find walking foot for Jade 20? Thankful for your nice videos. :)

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

Great information! But, I was really hoping you’d actually show one being used and how it works differently.

[@user-fc3sx2cw5x]

Are those sewing machine threads behind you on the wall rack? If so, what brand are they? 😊

[@lisahodges8299]

Piping cushions too? Leather? Pleather? Birdy

[@beryl66buzzybee18]

Can these be used on an older sewing machine? Like a new home machine

[@rowenabrady6279]

i don't have an over-locker so can i use a twin needle zigzag with this foot.

[@emmaj5310]

Is it advisable to use a walking foot when sewing with double gauze?

[@SewEssential]

Yes Emma, definitely and if ever in doubt you can always just use one anyway.

[@merlesuleyman9134]

Sorry if you've already answered this question a million times but what threads are hanging on the display behind you? Are they sold on the website?

[@darleneappleman3911]

I just bought a brand new walking foot for my janome from my dealer

[@kimberlyburns762]

Thanks Lucy for the informative video. Also. Love your top, did you make it?

[@vanshellable]

I think she makes everything she wears!

[@emma__sews]

I love it too. I'd love to know what pattern it is

[@gemmasowky6754]

I was going to ask exactly the same question, love the style of shirt and the fabric. Please tell us 🙏

[@heartlandscolorcarecarpetd1157]

I just bought a walking food and didn’t know it will. Ale sewing velvet easier ?

[@barbaraferron7994]

A crazy idea. There is a technique for easing fabric by putting the larger piece on the bottom with a regular sewing foot. Then the feed dogs will pull the bigger piece faster. If you use a walking foot and drop the feed dogs then could you put the larger piece on top?

[@atomicskull6405]

If you are sewing kites or sails or anything with nylon or polyester ripstop sailcloth you NEED one of these otherwise the fabric tends to not feed through the machine because the feed dogs will slip (it has a feel more like plastic than fabric).

[@michellemelville8979]

I've had no problem with ripstop nylon but did have an issue sewing a plastic coated material I made an apron with.

[@nataliastoev3784]

I love it but I can barely put fabric under !!! Its sooo low no idea how some recommend to use to sew several layers..

[@toyresjansevanrensburg1426]

is there a walking foot for Empisal sewing machine

[@nadiaatalla6295]

I bought even feed walking food but I have no instruction to install the guide in it can u help please thanks

[@pammolling5034]

Do you have walking foots for babylock

[@ginabisaillon2894]

I really miss not having a second machine with a walking foot permanently installed!

[@brendastevens8325]

I live in America can I purchase these items and if so what are the prices in us $

[@dagmarfrerking2235]

Yes, for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff at least, they are available in the US. I think right now they're $138.

[@darleneappleman3911]

I can do a zigzag stitch

[@annawashington6294]

Babyloçk walking foót