Date: 11/24/09 12:48 PM

I plan on making quilts here and there. I'm still very new to it, and the ones I've made involved the "tying-off" method, not the actual "quilting" method (where you'd drop feed dogs and sew through the quilt sandwich).

The impression I'm getting is that if I wanted to sew through the quilt sandwich, I'd be better off with a walking foot. Is that right? Or can I use my all-purpose foot to do that?

As far as the 1/4" foot is concerned, that's mostly for piecing the quilt top, isn't it? Would I actually use this particular foot for much else other than quilting?

The walking foot for my machine is around $30; the 1/4" foot is $10. It'll be my Christmas present to myself!

Erica

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Every day is a clean slate.
aquamarineerica.blogspot.com

Subject: Using a 1/4 foot or walking foot Date: 11/24/09 3:03 PM

Well, I'm not a quilter, but I use my 1/4" foot all the time! It's great any time you want a very tight, exact, tiny S/A. Recently I used it to bind a corset--the instructions called for a quarter-inch seam allowance on the binding, and this foot made it really easy.

When I bought my machine a year ago, the walking foot was one of the things I *had* to have. Still haven't even opened up the package. :/ (But I'm still planning to use it!!)

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~Gem in the prairie

Reply to aquamarineerica
Date: 11/24/09 3:39 PM

Yes, you will want to use your walking foot for quilting all those layers. They work wonders

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Carol - * I always have more time to sew *
Babylock Ellageo, Viking Mega Quilter, Janome MC6600P, Babylock Evolve Serger, Janome FM 725

Reply to aquamarineerica
Date: 11/24/09 4:01 PM

Quote:

As far as the 1/4" foot is concerned, that's mostly for piecing the quilt top, isn't it? Would I actually use this particular foot for much else other than quilting?

Topstitching clothing, bags etc.

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Fashion Maté, where I blog about what I (eventually) sew : http://fashionmate.blogspot.com

Reply to lakaribane
Date: 11/24/09 4:47 PM

One of my favorite uses for the 1/4-inch foot in garment sewing is the 1 1/4-inch hem. You know, the one where you are instructed to press the hem at 1/4-inch, then press again at the 1-inch hem line?

Using the 1/4-inch foot, I sew a line of stitching 1/4-inch from the edge of the fabric, then press on that seam line to get that first 1/4-inch fold accurate.

CMC

Reply to aquamarineerica
Date: 11/24/09 11:28 PM

They do two different things. The 1/4" foot is a guide for you to keep your seams even. I quilt most days, and I use mine all the time, I wouldn't like to quilt without it. It is useful for the seam allowance for doll clothes, and for topstitching, not just quilting.

The walking foot is quite different. The walking foot causes the top fabric and the bottom fabric to move at the same time so that you don't get to the end with that little bit of overhang. The walking foot is wonderful for sewing plaids and stripes where you want them exactly even. It does not measure the quarter inch.

HTH

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Barb

Reply to aquamarineerica
Date: 11/24/09 11:50 PM

Erica, when you get into the habit of it the 1/4" foot and the walking foot are as useful for garment sewing as your normal feet. The 1/4" foot gives you accurate seams allowance for any garments that need a 1/4 seam.

The walking foot is great for plaids and checks as suggested but also great for polar fleece and thick fabrics. It keeps the fabric feeding evenly.

The walking foot when used in quilting is for ditch-stitching and straight stitching mostly (cross-hatching etc).

You don't use the walking foot for free-motion work, ie when you drop the feed dogs. If you are wanting to do free-motion you will need (depending on your machine) a darning foot or foot with a spring attachment.

Hope this helps.

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Lynny - Geelong, Australia

Reply to lynny
Date: 11/25/09 2:08 PM

Yes, as Lynny says, you don't use the walking foot when dropping the feed dogs.

But you don't have to drop the feed dogs at all to quilt on top of the piece; that's what the walking foot is for...while sewing mainly straight lines. I'd try this first before trying anything fancier!

Quilting without the dogs is usually for free-motion quilting...much harder than straight lines with dogs.

Reply to aquamarineerica
Date: 11/25/09 2:35 PM

Quote: aquamarineerica

As far as the 1/4" foot is concerned, that's mostly for piecing the quilt top, isn't it? Would I actually use this particular foot for much else other than quilting?

Definitely the walking foot for going thru the layers of the quilt. Also . . . you'll be much happier if you use a cotton or cottonblend batting. 100% polyester can shift around between the cotton layers while quilting.

I usually use my 1/4" foot for sewing garments. I like that it's narrow but can't say it's any better than a normal foot..