Sewing, like any craft, is a practice that requires a lot of patience, diligence and a good toolset. One of the most important items in a sewing kit is a sewing machine. Modern sewing machines come with a variety of impressive features and accessories, and one of the most important accessory categories is presser feet.
What are Presser feet?
Presser feet are components of any sewing machine that help hold your fabric in place while you work. They ensure that the material stays in line and does not bunch or slip, as well as help feed the fabric to the needle at a consistent pace. The combination of these two functions improves the accuracy of your sewing and can make some techniques effortless to do.
The Different Types of Presser Feet
The market has a vast array of presser feet that cater to different sewing needs. Choosing the right one can take your sewing project from mediocre to excellent. Here are a few of the popular presser feet that every sewing enthusiast should know:
Walking Foot
A walking foot is useful for sewing materials that are difficult to move evenly when using other presser feet. This foot has a second set of feed dogs, which help to feed the fabric from both the top and bottom surfaces. This makes it easier to sew fabrics such as leather, suede, vinyl, and thick materials such as multiple layers of denim or quilting materials.
Overcast Foot
An overcast foot is an essential tool for those looking to finish raw edges on fabrics with ease. The foot has a guide bar on it, which ensures that the needle and thread wrap snugly around the edge of the fabric, preventing fraying. The overcast foot often is adjustable for width so that it can work with different fabrics.
Buttonhole Foot
A buttonhole foot is necessary if you want to sew buttons onto your garment expertly. The foot features a slit in the middle, which assists in cutting the hole in the fabric so that the button can pass through it. The size of the hole depends on the size of your button and can be adjusted by turning a knob to either lengthen or shorten the buttonhole.
Blind Hem Foot
The blind hemming foot makes it easy to hem fabrics with a nearly invisible seam. With this foot, the needle comes down and penetrates the fabric from the left side, taking small stitches in the hidden fold, making a gap between each stitch. The result is a hem that is barely visible on one side, with the other side of the fabric show-stoppingly seamless.
Satin Stitch Foot
Satin stitch foot is ideal for decorative stitching. The foot is designed so that it sits on top of the fabric, holding it down while the needle travels from one side to the other. The result is a uniform and neat row of stitches that enhances the overall appearance of the garment.
Zipper Foot
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A zipper foot is a handy accessory for sewing projects that require zippers, such as bags, dresses, and skirts. The zipper foot is designed to allow the needle to stitch close to the zipper teeth, and as it approaches the zipper pull, the foot pivots to enable the needle to proceed.
Conclusion
Presser feet are an integral part of a sewing machine’s accessory selection, aiding sewists of every skill level to achieve perfect results. This list covered only a few of the presser feet varieties popular on the market, but there are hundreds more to choose from. Find a presser foot that works best for you and watch your sewing techniques improve significantly.
These sewing accessories can be found at your local craft store or online, and with time, you’ll find you can’t do without one!
Explore the Beautiful World of Sewing!
Sewing is a therapeutic hobby with great benefits. You gain essential life skills like patience, attention to detail, and planning, and you end up creating clothes, accessories, and home decor that are beautiful and unique. Check out our website for more sewing ideas, classes and inspiration to help empower you to kickstart or level up your sewing adventure!
