The 15 Best Sewing Machine Feet and How To Use Them
Save time and effort by using the right presser foot, the right way. Sewing machine feet are one of the most important tools of our craft. You may feel like you are sewing just fine with the standard foot, but is a whole other world of sewing bliss when you put the other ones to good use.
You likely have a few different feet in your sewing space, and maybe you are struggling just a bit with a project that isn’t sewing up just right. Whatever your situation, let me teach you how to use those accessories for the best looking finish, and a stress-free sewing experience.
All-Purpose Sewing Machine Foot
An all-purpose sewing machine foot (or zig-zag foot) is used for most general sewing across a variety of fabrics. It is very user-friendly, and easy to attach and detach from the machine. This makes it convenient for sewists, especially those who are just starting and may not be familiar with different presser feet.
Sliding Buttonhole Foot
Does your machine have an automatic button hole stitch? If so, these sewing machine feet were likely included with your machine. If you’re not in love with your button holes, give this baby a try! I believe you’ll be very pleased with the outcome.
Here is a comprehensive step-by-step post to walk you through how to use these sewing machine feet successfully. If you prefer, you can look it up in your machine’s manual.
Clear Satin Stitch or Embroidery Foot
The open toe and clear plastic on this foot will allow you to easily see your stitches. Use this foot when sewing satin stitches for applique. It’s also wonderful when sewing embroidery stitches on many sewing machines.
Here is a link for free applique patterns if you would like to do some satin stitching and try it out.
Zipper Foot
This foot has its purpose in the name! The sewing machine needle position must be adjusted either left or right of the center. The narrow foot then acts as a guide as it rests against the zipper, while the needle sews in the small gap safely and evenly away from the teeth. You can also successfully use this foot to attach piping or decorative cording.
Try these great zipper bags for some practice.
Invisible Zipper Foot
The invisible zipper foot has two grooves on the bottom. These grooves guide the zipper teeth while allowing the user to sew a straight line evenly beside them. It can only be used with invisible zippers, but you will love the ease and finish.
Quarter Inch or Quilter Foot
There are many designs for the quarter-inch sewing machine foot. It is used for sewing straight, 1/4-inch seams. Quilters use it for piecing, but it’s also helpful when sewing little things like baby clothes. Anywhere you need a quarter inch seam, this is your foot.
Try out these free beginner quilt patterns with your quarter inch sewing machine foot.
The guide on the right provides a very accurate measurement from the center needle position to the edge of the foot. There is also a mark on the left side (a pivot mark) that you can use to help you turn a corner.
Pro Tip: Don’t play with the needle position or stitches too much, because there is only room for the needle to sew straight lines.
Adjustable (or not) Bias Binder Foot
I may have just changed your life. These sewing machine presser feet are designed to take all the guesswork out of sewing binding on all of your projects. Aprons, cases, covers, etc. are all finished professionally with these feet in one step. You can even get one for your coverstitch machine if you sew with a lot of jersey fabric.
You first feed the binging through the outer part of the cone on the right foot, or the backward “C” shape on the left foot. The binding will then be positioned under the foot. Your main material will then slide into the middle groove and as you sew, your bias will wrap around your fabric and be evenly and beautifully stitched.
Stitch in the Ditch or Edge Piecing Foot
Use this foot when you need to sew exactly on a seam (in the ditch) or just next to it, so as to hide your stitches. The small blade acts as a guide, easily following the seam.
You adjust your needle position based on where you want your stitches to be placed. This is largely used for quilting, topstitching, and joining edges together.
Adjustable Guide Foot
Use this foot to help you maintain a nice straight line or even spacing with a variety of stitches. The white part is adjustable by 1/16″ at a time (from 3/4″ to 1 1/2″) making it a versatile multi-tasker!
Here’s another guide for sewing straight lines that you will find helpful.
Adjustable Blind-Hem Foot
A blind hem is one that is nearly invisible on the right side of the fabric. The adjustable blind-hem sewing machine feet are specifically designed for effortlessly stitching a blind hem. It includes an adjustable guide for accuracy to achieve professional looking hems on dress pants, skirts, curtains, and more.
Walking Foot
This looks like an AT-AT from Star Wars, but it’s a super helpful tool when sewing stretchy or slippery fabric. These sewing machine feet are also known as an even feed foot or dual feed foot. They have their own set of feed dogs to help feed multiple layers of fabric evenly without shifting.
I use mine on a lot of projects and I love it. Learn more about how to use a sewing machine walking foot.
Straight Stitch Foot
Pro Tip: This foot does not have any room for the needle to move, so don’t use it for fancy or zig-zag stitches or you’ll snap your needle (done it!).
This foot helps prevent puckering and skipped stitches on fine fabrics, it applies even pressure against the feed dogs which helps with sewing denim, and the narrow sides make a nice guide for sewing parallel lines when edge or top stitching.
Teflon or Non-Stick Foot
If you need to sew on vinyl, leather, or suede you will want to use this foot. Those fabrics can stick to traditional presser feet. This foot has a Teflon coating on the bottom that helps it glide smoothly over slick materials, preventing the fabric from pulling on the foot.
Here are some tips for sewing on clear vinyl. And check out the free pattern for this gorgeous suede and vinyl travel bag set!
Narrow Hem or Rolled Hem Foot
Folding and pressing is tedious and even time consuming, especially on lightweight fabrics. The narrow rolled hem foot will save you lots of time and effort. It has a little twirly part (called the curl) in front that rolls the fabric’s raw edge into a hem for you. The finished product is very professional.
I have an older Bernina, and it’s sewing machine foot number is #69.
Overcast Foot
An overcast stitch wraps around the fabric to prevent fraying and provide a finished edge without folding. Overcast sewing is usually done with a serger, but some sewing machines can make an overcast stitch too.
The overcast sewing machine feet usually have a fabric guide and 2 ‘stitch fingers’ that keep the thread from wrapping too tightly. Check your sewing machine manual to see if your machine can do this!
More from SewCanShe:
With Love From Grandma: 30 Free Sewing Projects Your Grandma Would Make For You
30+ Adorable Valentine Sewing Patterns: Melt Their Hearts
Sew Smart, Travel Handmade: 35 Free Patterns for On-the-Go
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂