AN ARMY BY YOUR SIDE: THE PRESSER FEET
Starting off on the Right Foot
Along with the “last sewing machine I bought, I received a catalog with all the accessories that can be purchased separately… Ohhh, how wonderful!!! By nature, I tend to observe and study things multiple times, trying to understand if” the accessory I buy helps me streamline my work or helps me do it better. What I’m telling you below is based on my personal experience, obviously, and I won’t go into specific jobs.
So… I’ll start with the Basic Kit that comes with all machines.
THE PRESSER FOOT, with CAPITAL P is the one for straight and zigzag stitching. Usually they’re all-in-one, but sometimes you’ll find a specific one for zigzag with a wider slot, though I’ve never used it personally. Fun fact: when they say “sewing with the foot,” it means the presser foot will be completely at the fabric’s edge and the needle will sew at a distance of 0.75 for domestic machines and usually 0.5 for industrial ones.
The second most important foot would be the zipper foot. This one is narrower on the side and sometimes you’ll find 2 of them, a right and a left one. Not only does it allow you to attach zippers without getting “stuck in the teeth,” but you can use it whenever you have a slightly thicker layer (for example, near a waistband or belt, to secure appliques, etc.).
Other Useful Presser Feet
Here are other presser feet that can be important for achieving good results.
- The invisible zipper foot: it’s fantastic and if you sew dresses and skirts, you won’t be able to do without it!
- The buttonhole foot. Each machine has its own, slightly different from each other but with the same purpose! “You definitely need to read the instructions to get used to it” and learn how to use it. You’ll only need it if you plan to make some clothes or for your “home dress”, meaning clothes for your home ;). If you’re a beginner, it’s definitely one of the last ones you’ll learn to use.
- The hemmer foot, an excellent ally for making small hems by machine with straight or zigzag stitches. Now you can find them in many sizes, but I assure you that you’ll need to put in some “miles to sew well and figure out how to handle corners… I use the” hemmer (2/3 mm) for almost all wedding dress hems, especially on organza and super light fabrics!!!!!
- The roller foot: here’s another interesting foot, if you like sewing leather or some synthetic fabrics like faux leather, latex, rubber, or anything that tends to “stick”…. It rolls along beautifully!
- The invisible hem foot: “quite a complicated and ‘troublesome’ foot. After finding the best adjustments to make the” hem truly invisible…. you’ll realize that for each hem you’ll have to start over…. moral of the story: it’s faster to do it by hand!
- The pleating foot that can make pleats of various depths: it’s an incredible gem and costs a fortune…. looks like an alien;)) but it’s a real lifesaver! For decorative and romantic work, it’s a true must-have!!!
I hope this has been helpful. Always remember: creating with your own hands is good for life!!!!
