Walking Foot for Singer 201, 15-91, 66, 99, 221 Featherweight & MORE!
First, let's discuss the differences between a standard presser foot and the walking foot and how these differences affect the feed of the fabric.
The Standard Presser Foot:
The feed dogs push along the bottom layer of fabric. The presser foot pushes down on the top layer, which due to friction, is moved along with the bottom layer. However, as the top layer of fabric moves, it faces some resistance from the bottom of the presser foot which remains completely stationary. This resistance can result in shifting and stretch of the top layer of fabric.
The Walking Foot attachment::
A walking foot doesn't feed the fabric. Rather, a portion of the bottom of the foot moves along with the top layer of fabric as it is being fed by the feed dogs below. This greatly reduces the resistance and friction between the top layer of fabric and the bottom of the presser foot.
Bottom line- a walking foot can help provide more even feeding with much less shifting or stretching of the fabric layers. This is great for matching plaid, checkered and other geometric patterns, quilting layers of batting & material, and long seams like drapery, etc... Please note that a walking foot attachment doesn't improve piercing power in any way.
Even though I'm not a big time quilter, I do sew up an occasional simple quilting project, and the more I use my straight stitch walking foot, the more I like it! Yes, there are original, vintage, metal walking feet, but they are not commonly found, and they are VERY expensive on the open market (costing hundreds of dollars).
| All of the other, new, low shank walking feet available are designed to be used with all low shank machines, specifically- they can be used with zigzag capable machines. Why is this a problem? Look at the photo to the right. The yellow indicates the location of the standard, low shank walking foot part that is supposed to ride on the feed dogs of the sewing machine. The red indicates the actual location of the narrower feed dogs on a straight stitch sewing machine. As you can see, things are NOT in correct allignment with this standard low shank walking foot on a straight stitch machine.The foot is too wide for the feed dogs. |
 |
 |
In contrast, look how well the straight stitch walking foot lines up with the narrower feed dogs on the straight stitch machine. You can purchase these directly from Sew-classic.com.  |
I was recently using this straight stitch walking foot on a project for my daughter's birthday present. It also comes with a guide which was really handy for making evenly spaced rows of quilting for my project (see below).
THE PROJECT: For her birthday (19th) I purchased a cute little point and shoot camera that she can tuck into her purse. This needed something to protect it, so I made a quilted case to fit and coordinate with the camera using scraps from my stash. The straight stitch walking foot worked so well, that it prompted me to write about it here on my blog. I also used my favorite 1/4 inch foot on this project- I'll write some more about that another day.
Anyhow, here are some qucik shots of the case I made and the camera that it matches. My daughter was just thrilled with both of them!
click on photos to to open window with larger view
Categories: Accessories,Projects
Tags: Singer low shank walking foot
The bag for your daughter's new camera is beautiful. The colors coordinate so nicely. I hope she loves it. She is lucky to have such a clever mother!!
Reply to this
If I add the walking foot, will it cut down on the thickness of the fabric I can sew? I do tent repair, there are times I have 6 to 8 layers of canvas under the foot of my 201-2. If I get more then 8 layers, I use my 29K that has the waking foot. I love being able to turn the presser foot 365deg.
Reply to this
It won't change the lift of the presser bar, but the WF tends to hang lower. You may need to put thick layers under the needle area and then attach the WF.- Jenny
Reply to this
Hi! I love your blog it has helped me so much with my inherited singer 66-16!
Do you think this would fit my singer 66-16? I want to make a quilt with it but I wasn't sure if it would fit, Thanks!
Reply to this
As the title of the entry indicates, this foot will fit the model 66. The only exception would be the early model 66-1. This walking foot is a low shank foot that attached to the side of the presser bar, and the 66-1 uses attachments that attach to the back of the presser bar.
Reply to this
OOps! I guess I missed the 66 in the title! Sorry!
Reply to this
Fabulous blog--thank you. For my newly refurbished 201, I just ordered the walking foot you show right here on this page. But I can't seem to get it installed--do I need to remove the shank? If so, how do I do that?
Thank you.
Reply to this
Mary, from where did you purchase your foot? I check my records, and I have no record of any purchase either under your name or email address as it shows up on your comment on my blog ????
No, you do not need to remove the presser bar. In fact if you remove the bar, there will be nothing to attach the presser foot to. Since you can SEE how the foot attaches in the photos on my blog, I'm not sure where or why your having trouble. Sorry...just don't understand what won't connect....Take some pictures and maybe I can help.
Reply to this
I have the 201 and have just received the walking foot pictured on your blog. But I can't install it. Must I remove the shank? If so, how do I do that?
Thank you.
Mary
Reply to this
OK, You also posted this question on another entry. You'll get the same answer here.
Mary, from where did you purchase your foot? I check my records, and I have no record of any purchase either under your name or email address as it shows up on your comment on my blog ????
No, you do not need to remove the presser bar. In fact if you remove the bar, there will be nothing to attach the presser foot to. Since you can SEE how the foot attaches in the photos on my blog, I'm not sure where or why your having trouble. Sorry...just don't understand what won't connect....Take some pictures and maybe I can help.
Walking foot instructions
Reply to this