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Member since 12/24/07
Posts: 900
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Posted on: 5/14/09 3:51 PM ET
Every now and then, I hear that a walking foot would be the ideal foot for making particular steps in the sewing process easier -- would you agree with these statements, and if so, when do you consider the walking foot to be indispensable?
I have to disclose that I lack of experience at all since no one is available for my machine.

Many thanks for sharing your opion/experience!
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Happy Sewing!
  
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Member since 10/11/03
Posts: 1020
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Posted on: 5/14/09 3:58 PM ET
Oh boy, get ready for the barrage(sp.?) of comments. You'll get no end of responses here.

Knits!!!
Quilting!
Multiple layers of fabric.
I do about 50% of my sewing with it.
It's always indespensable.
  
Member since 7/21/06
Posts: 298
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Posted on: 5/14/09 4:06 PM ET
I'm embarrassed to say I've never used mine. *blush*
  
Member since 2/18/04
Posts: 511
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Posted on: 5/14/09 4:35 PM ET
I like mine for working with knits, particularly hems.
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“I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that God holds the future.”
Marie Killilea, _With Love from Karen_

Sewing with my lovelies: Pfaff Performance 5.0, Pfaff Passport 3.0, Babylock Imagine and BLCS, Brother PE770 and a chorus of vintage Singers
  
Member since 6/11/06
Posts: 251
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Posted on: 5/14/09 4:55 PM ET
In reply to GBK
Seaming striped or plaid fabrics.
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Cheers,
Charmaine
  
Member since 10/24/07
Posts: 1830
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Posted on: 5/14/09 8:01 PM ET
In reply to GBK
I have never gotten use to using a walking foot. For garment sewing, it is sooo big and clunks and I like to have my hands right in there while I'm sewing, it is a pain to put on.... I have never had anything that difficult that I said "Boy...I need to put my walking foot on".
I do have the Pfaff with dual feed and I put that on once in a while and still don't notice much difference. I guess I learnt to sew with fingers holding and supporting the material before it gets to the feed dogs, sometimes I pull in the back and front as sewing a seam...I suppose a walking foot would work there, but my hands are there too. JMHO
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Pfaff P5.0, Bernina 560, Juki 654DE, Elna 745
  
Member since 1/1/08
Posts: 84
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Posted on: 5/14/09 8:06 PM ET
In reply to GBK
I like using my walking foot with knits. I don't have to worry about the seam stretching out as I sew; I can use a straight stitch and don't have to sew with a narrow zigzag on knits when I use the walking foot.

I have also had pretty good luck using it when I had to make sure that two layers of fabric absolutely do not shift in the construction process (e.g., matching plaids).

Hope this helps!
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http://howsew.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 10/24/07
Posts: 1830
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Posted on: 5/14/09 8:22 PM ET
In reply to HowSewBlogger
I guess I like to serge my knits. I used to use a sewing machine but even with a small zig zag the seams would pop on husbands t-shirts.
I have always wondered how the walking foot would do on velvets and knapped material, those I did have troubles with.
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Pfaff P5.0, Bernina 560, Juki 654DE, Elna 745
  
Member since 10/29/06
Posts: 500
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Posted on: 5/14/09 9:57 PM ET
My daughter and I used my walking foot on a fine stretch terry cloth that was napped. It was wonderful! It was for DD's 4H sewing project and she wanted to sew the seams before finishing them with the serger to be sure all was right.
  
Member since 3/4/03
Posts: 2634
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Posted on: 5/14/09 10:51 PM ET
When I used to make dh some western shirts I always used it on the plackets on both sides so there was never any shifting of the layers when stitching. With the walking foot there is no need to push or pull or practice taut sewing ,just guide the fabric along. My pfaff has it built in and I use it engaged most all the time. The first optional foot I bought for my new bernina 730 was the expensive walking foot which I knew I wanted. I used the walking foot a lot on my old bernina model and it worked really well.
  
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