I have finally given my Bernina walking foot a bit of a test run. Here is a mini review of my results:
Overall impression
Very sturdy, not flimsy and also surprisingly quiet. It sews at a slightly slower pace than a regular presser foot, which takes a little getting used too, since I am usually a full throttle kind of seamster. But it is not super slow by any means, so it is not a real issue.
Sewing striped knits
I do this a lot and sometimes I need to do things that a serger can't. And a regular presser foot will push the top layer forward so it is really hard to get a nice even result, i.e. the stripes won't align. Well the walking foot made a big difference on all my test samples! Even when I sewed a stretchy striped knit on the bias the stripes aligned pretty well.
Sewing on vinyl
The regular Bernina presser foot does a pretty good job with vinyl, but the walking foot made it even smoother and the stitches got more even. So again, success.
Top stitching jersey
I also tried top stitching a facing onto regular t-shirt jersey (non-lycra). With a regular presser foot the fabric would stretch out horrible (unless I interfaced the facing) but with the walking foot it didn't stretch out the fabric at all, which was very impressive!
Top stitching rayon/lycra
A nightmare to top stitch on a regular machine, there will be bubbles and skipped stitches. Well the walking foot didn't do a better job than a regular presser foot, unfortunately. I am gonna stick to cover stitching.
Sewing slinky satin
Again the walking foot didn't exactly excel, the fabric still slipped, but it was a little bit easier than with a regular foot.
I didn't have any velvet in my stash, so I can't give my verdict on that. But from the trials that I have done so far, the walking foot deliver very well in most cases. So I am happy with my purchase!
When I sew velvet, I lay a strip of tissue paper under the presser foot to prevent sliding and slipping. Sew. Gently pull tissue from stitches.
ReplyDeleteI never remember to put it on my machine, mainly because it's a royal pain, but it really does do a great job on patterns matching. Need to remember this! It's certainly easier than basting the seam by hand first!
ReplyDeletethanks for your review. I sew with knits a lot, so the walking foot is on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteI like to sew a narrow seam allowance, but the walking foot looks pretty wide.
Did you have any problems sewing narrow seam allowances on knits?
Thanks for the review! I'm a Bernina girl myself and I always look for nice accessories...
ReplyDeleteDoes this wonder have a price tag attatched to it??
Thanks for the review. I'm a Bernina girl and need to remember to use that walking foot more often.
ReplyDelete>>Skitzo: When I did my velvet dress I toyed with using this method, but I was afraid the paper would get stuck in the stitches, but I assume that is no problem then?
ReplyDelete>> Oh, yes much quicker than basting, but too bad to hear that it is a hassle to assemble, what brand do you have? The Bernina was super simple, just a snap really
>>A little: It was easy sewing narrow, I just followed the edge of the presser foot, around 1/5 inches was no problem, so narrow seams work fine. And I really liked how it performed on knits (super stretchy lycra aside)
>>Kaja: I bought it off German ebay, around half the price that Syagenturen wanted for the walking foot, but still expensive, around 800 kronor.
>>Rose: You know I got around 10 presser feet with my machine and I use only three regularly! I am sure the others are great, but I never get around changing them, but I will try to get a lot of mileage from the walking foot.
Great review! I also own a walking foot, but never used it basically because I really didn't know what it was for, lol. What I'm gathering from this post, is there were many instances, that I could have used this foot, but didn't know. Thanks to you, I know now.
ReplyDeleteYeah the walking foot is SO worth the money! Behind the regular and zipper feet it is by far my most-used machine foot. If any fabric is being cranky, I just pull it out and it's magically under control. Everything from leather to lycra to silk crepe to lace. Magic, I tell you...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like your new tool! I knew you would ;-)
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ReplyDeleteSkitzo: When I did my velvet dress I toyed with using this method, but I was afraid the paper would get stuck in the stitches, but I assume that is no problem then?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not! I wondered the same thing when I tried it for the first time. Just use one layer of the tissue and it is super easy. Try it on a scrap and amaze yourself.