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IDT, Dual Feed Accufeed, what have I forgotten? Never had any and want to learn
wendyrb   Advanced CA Member since 12/30/11 Posts: 1271	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: IDT, Dual Feed, Accufeed, what have I forgotten? Date: 2/4/13 7:35 PM Yes, it's me again. In my quest to buy a modern sewing machine with embroidery capability, I've broken up my questions in various threads. I have older Berninas- an 830 and a 930 Record for my 4 decades of sewing. I've considered Babylock and Pfaff and today started looking at Berninas. What are these built in feeding methods doing? I'm totally unfamiliar and want to learn more than online research yields. Before I shop in person, I'm making comparison sheets. If there are already threads comparing this info, please point me in that direction. I'd like to hear about your favorite mechanism/sewing machine and good reasons why. Your hands-on experience would count for a lot in my book. FYI- I'm a physical sewer and use every fiber needed to get the cloth to do as I want. Usually to good results. It might not be wise to continue as I'm turning 62. My focus is garments of all fabric types. I'm not a quilter, so not looking for any of these feeding systems for that. Thanks in advance. I've been following the thread on different MM Feed Dogs with great interest. -- Edited on 2/4/13 7:36 PM -- ------ Sometimes she didn't always follow the recipe. Pfonzie- my honey Pfaff Creative Performance, Bernina 930 and 830, Evolution serger.
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1529	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/4/13 9:05 PM Some machines also have pin feed, in which a small needle pierces the. fabric layers, keeping them together.
sewplenty   Advanced WA USA Member since 4/1/12 Posts: 154	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/4/13 10:03 PM The accufeed and it'd are dual feed capabilities. In other words instead of just the bottom feed dogs moving the fabric along, the machine has an attachment to the foot that moves the top layer of fabric along at the same time - dual feed. This is a nice feature for garment sewing especially with difficult fabric such as rayon, nylon, plaids, etc. Pinning is not as necessary. This accessory takes the place of a walking foot. However, many of the newer machines do a decent job of moving fabric with the 7 point or whatever feed dogs. You will need to take some fabric to a dealer and try it out. ------ Brother PC420 Brother 1034D Singer SESQ6700 Singer Signature (New One) New Home Combi DX Singer 319 Singer Featherweight 221
wendyrb   Advanced CA Member since 12/30/11 Posts: 1271	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewplenty << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 0:16 AM So, would you say across brands they perform equally well, or similarly? Or, do you- sewplenty/anyone find differences? Obviously people bond with a particular machine and is this a key factor? I have no basis of comparison yet. Does this feature then replace attaching a walking foot? Dual feed is integrated into the machine and I understand it can be engaged or turned off. Are there times the dual feed is off and the walking foot is on? Maybe personal preference and each person experiments until it works for the individual. I don't have walking foot either. Years ago, I worked in a small designer factory and learned to work with my hands for production. For myself I do same, but some pinning and some basting as needed. I'm trying to figure out what to look for when I do some sample sewing. Thanks. ------ Sometimes she didn't always follow the recipe. Pfonzie- my honey Pfaff Creative Performance, Bernina 930 and 830, Evolution serger.
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1529	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/5/13 1:37 AM a walking foot offers very few, or even a single foot design. But a dual feed mechanism allows you to use specialized feet while retaining the benefits of plaid matching, or whatever.
JanyceR   Advanced CO USA Member since 2/3/07 Posts: 1006	Login to reply to this post In reply to wendyrb << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 7:52 AM The IDT on my Pfaff, and the dual feed on my Bernina perform equally well. I actually did quite a bit of testing with various fabrics, weights, seam allowances to test. I don't have a Janome, but have used on in the shop. It is wonderful. I think the Janome works a little bit differently, my friend told me it was more like differential feed on a serger. But I don't know that for a fact. I only know it worked well when I played with it! Since you are a garment sewer, I am not sure you would need/want a walking foot. I think the dual feed/IDT/Accufeed would be more than sufficient. I have had a walking foot for over 20 years, and used it on my older Berninas for help with plaids, silks, velvets, etc long before I ever did any piecing. I love my walking foot but it is definitely not getting the work out it used to. Have not used it with a garment yet and I don't anticipate needing too. Have fun with all your research and trying machines!
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8178	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/5/13 8:29 AM Some folks here maintain that Janome's dual feed is superior as it acts more like an actual walking foot. Personally I would have no idea on this, but on the 7700, it is a bit bulkier than the Bernina or Pfaff dual feed, which pulls the top layer from behind the needle. The Janome 8900 catches the top layer from each side of the needle, just like a traditional walking foot does. The new Janomes have a dual feed that is detachable, one being very slim and one bulkier. This is interesting, but my dealer still doesn't have one for me to check out. Even if they did, they probably wouldn't show them to me, being they wouldn't show me the laser pen and Muv-it foot of the new Brothers. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to wendyrb << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 9:56 AM Personally, I don't like or use walking feet, but I wouldn't buy a machine for garment sewing if it didn't have IDT. The big benefit of IDT, aside from being at the back of the machine, out of the way, allowing for far better visibility and the ability to sew along the edge of the fabric, is being able to use a wide assortment of feet. The IDT and the feet are separate entities, so as long as the feet are made for use with IDT by having a cut out at the back of the foot, you can use whatever foot you need. When I sew, I keep my IDT engaged 99.99% of the time. If you sew knits, you really want the IDT. It makes sewing knits (and slipperies) as easy to sew as a piece of cotton. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Maia B   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 10/27/10 Posts: 3395	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/5/13 10:18 AM I'm a big fan of Pfaff's IDT and it's incarnations in other brands. As far as I can discern, the built-in dual feed on my Baby Lock Quest Plus is identical to the IDT on my Pfaffs. The feed of my QP is very nearly identical to that of my Pfaff 7510. The Bernina dual-feed on my 820 functions the same way and is extremely similar, but since the feed dogs are quite different from the Pfaffs and Quest Plus, I wouldn't say the feed is the same. IDT and the Baby Lock version work with the most different feet, I think. Bernina dual feed has 8 or so foot options (then dozens more non-D feet, of course). Not sure how many different feet/soles work with Janome's AccuFeed. RipStitcher probably knows :). I actually really like my Bernina walking foot-3 soles. Takes a moment to change soles, but the WF itself pops on and off with one hand, just as easily as any other foot. Has great markings. IDT seems more versatile and nimble to me. The feet are smaller than the WF soles or the AccuFeed foot. There are things for which I prefer a walking foot-like quilting with 3 layers, though the Quest Plus has done fine with that, on the uncomplicated quilting I've done with it (quilting cotton or flannel, thin batting, quilting cotton or flannel backing. I think Cat n Bull quilts with fleece backing with her Pfaff's IDT. Fleece has more loft and stretch, so that's fairly challenging. I'm a multiple machine gal, and IDT is a must-have in my sewing room. ------ 🌸 Plenty of machines, mostly Berninas 🌸
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to Maia B << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 10:52 AM My Pfaff dealer is a quilter, does gorgeous stuff. She only uses Pfaff (altho they sell Janome, too) and all her quilting is done with the Pfaff IDT. She absolutely swears by the IDT, says a walking foot is not required for quilting. I dunno, as I am not a quilter, but I swear by Pfaff's IDT for garment sewing! ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.

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