Skip to content

Search Our Blog

Understanding Sewing Machine Feet

Understanding Sewing Machine Feet

What’s in this post?

    Understanding Sewing Machine Feet

    The Complete Guide to Sewing Machine Presser Feet

    Before we get into the nitty-gritty of presser feet, let us share a quick piece of advice: whenever possible, choose feet that are made specifically for your sewing machine model. We've seen many sewists — beginners and experienced alike — transform their projects simply by using the right foot for the job. The difference can be stunning, both in quality and ease.

    We often hear from people who’ve been sewing for years and suddenly discover a presser foot that makes their least favorite technique... fun. That’s the power of the right tool. That’s why we put this guide together — to help you explore the full potential of your machine and maybe even fall in love with a new favorite foot.

    Why Presser Feet Matter

    Each presser foot is designed to make specific tasks easier. Whether it's adding decorative stitching, inserting a zipper, hemming a dress, or quilting a blanket — there’s likely a foot that can make it cleaner, faster, or more beautiful.

    Types of Presser Feet

    Below is a detailed guide to common and specialty presser feet. Each entry explains its function, benefits, and suggested uses, paired with a responsive image for reference.

    Gimping Foot

    Gimping foot

    The gimping foot is designed to create elegant, decorative embellishments using satin stitches in combination with a twin needle. Two thread guides on the foot and an additional bar (attached to the needle bar) ensure the gimping cord feeds evenly. This creates raised, dimensional embroidery with excellent definition. Ideal for heirloom work and custom textural accents.

    Cording Foot

    Cording foot

    This foot holds and guides one to three thin cords or yarns so you can sew over them with a zigzag or decorative stitch. It’s perfect for adding structure, texture, or visual interest to your projects. Often used in home décor and embellishment-heavy garments.

    Beading Foot

    Beading foot

    Specifically shaped with a groove to accommodate beaded trims, the beading foot allows you to stitch strands of pearls or sequins directly onto fabric. Use a straight or zigzag stitch depending on bead spacing. This is a go-to for evening wear and costumes.

    Non-Stick (Teflon) Foot

    Non-stick teflon foot

    When sewing vinyl, faux leather, or laminated fabrics, a standard foot often sticks or drags. The non-stick foot glides smoothly thanks to its Teflon-coated base, reducing friction and helping you maintain even stitches without puckering.

    Couching Foot

    Couching foot

    Used to attach thicker decorative threads or yarns on the fabric surface using a zigzag or embroidery stitch. The foot’s central channel holds the material in place while you sew over it. Excellent for artistic surface design, embellishment, and textural accents.

    Ruffler Foot

    Ruffler foot

    The ruffler foot looks intimidating but is incredibly efficient. It creates uniform gathers or pleats by moving fabric in controlled intervals as you sew. Adjustable settings let you control frequency and depth of the ruffles — ideal for ruffled skirts, curtains, and trim.

    Spanish Hemstitch Foot

    Spanish hemstitch foot

    This foot allows you to create open decorative seams or join two fabric edges with delicate embroidery-style bridging. It has a central guide to keep the gap between fabrics evenly spaced, making it ideal for heirloom and vintage-style sewing.

    Fringe Foot (Looper Foot)

    Fringe foot

    The fringe foot is used to make dimensional thread loops or fringe by stitching over a raised bar in the center. After sewing, the loops can be left intact or cut for a fringed look — great for decorative work, scarves, or textile art.

    Ribbon or Sequin Foot

    Ribbon or sequin foot

    Designed with a central groove or tunnel that guides flat trims like ribbons or sequins while stitching them in place. This foot is perfect for embellishing dancewear, costumes, and accessories with a touch of shine or color.

    Candlewicking Foot

    Candlewicking foot

    This foot is used for decorative stitching that mimics traditional candlewick embroidery — raised dots or knots often created using a dense zigzag stitch. It has a deep groove underneath to accommodate heavy stitching without fabric drag.

    Standard (Zigzag) Foot

    Standard zigzag presser foot

    This is your everyday workhorse — perfect for straight and zigzag stitches on woven and knit fabrics. Its wide needle opening accommodates various stitch widths, making it ideal for most standard sewing applications. If you're unsure where to start, this is the foot to use.

    Straight Stitch Foot

    Straight stitch foot

    With a narrow needle opening, this foot provides maximum stability when stitching delicate or lightweight fabrics. It prevents fabric from being pulled down into the feed dogs, resulting in cleaner, more precise stitching on fine materials like silk or chiffon.

    Zipper Foot (Adjustable)

    Adjustable zipper foot

    This foot lets you sew right next to zipper coils or piping. Because it can be attached to the left or right of the needle, it allows for versatile positioning — ideal for installing regular zippers or sewing close to bulky edges.

    Invisible Zipper Foot

    Invisible zipper foot

    Special grooves on the underside guide invisible zippers, allowing you to stitch extremely close to the zipper teeth. Once installed, the zipper remains concealed in your seam — perfect for dresses and formal garments.

    Buttonhole Feet (Standard, Sliding, One-Step)

    Buttonhole foot types

    These feet help you create buttonholes tailored to your button size. The one-step foot automates the process, stitching the entire buttonhole in one sequence. Sliding versions allow more manual control while still guiding the shape and length consistently.

    Button Sewing Foot

    Button sewing foot

    Holds your button in place as your machine sews it on using a zigzag stitch. Set your stitch length to zero, and this foot makes attaching buttons quick and uniform without damaging them or the fabric beneath.

    Overcasting Foot

    Overcasting foot

    This foot mimics the look of serged seams by wrapping thread around the edge of the fabric with a zigzag or overlock stitch. The small wire in the center prevents the fabric from curling and keeps the stitch formation even. Ideal for sewing knits or finishing raw woven edges.

    Walking Foot (Even Feed Foot)

    Walking foot

    A must-have for quilting and working with slippery or layered fabrics. It feeds the top layer of fabric evenly with the lower layer, preventing shifting or puckering. Perfect for plaids, stripes, and stretchy knits as well.

    Quarter Inch Piecing Foot

    Quarter inch foot

    Precision is key in quilting, and this foot helps maintain a consistent 1/4" seam allowance. It often features a guide on the side to help align your fabric. Great for piecing quilt blocks with professional accuracy.

    Seam Marker Foot

    Seam marker foot

    Useful for marking seam allowances or stitch lines on your fabric before sewing. It doesn’t sew, but instead helps you guide the material precisely. It's a favorite for tailoring and complex garment construction.

    Blind Hem Foot

    Blind hem foot

    This foot makes nearly invisible hems simple and precise. It features a central guide that runs along the hem fold, keeping the stitches perfectly aligned so only a few catch the front fabric. Great for formalwear, trousers, and home décor like curtains where a clean finish is essential.

    Narrow Hem Foot

    Narrow hem foot

    Ideal for finishing lightweight fabrics such as chiffon or silk. This foot rolls and stitches the fabric edge in a single step, creating a tight, uniform hem that is both elegant and durable. Perfect for scarves, blouses, and baby garments.

    Shell Rolled Hem Foot (Picot Foot)

    Shell hem foot or picot foot

    This foot creates beautiful scalloped or shell-like decorative edges. As the fabric feeds through, it’s rolled and slightly bunched under the stitch, creating a textured, delicate effect. Commonly used on lingerie, table linens, and light decorative projects.

    Edge Guide Foot

    Edge guide foot

    Equipped with an adjustable guide bar, this foot ensures perfectly parallel stitching along fabric edges or seams. It's highly useful for topstitching, edgestitching, and decorative seams, especially when precision and alignment are crucial.

    Stitch in the Ditch Foot

    Stitch in the ditch foot

    This foot is designed to keep your stitches hidden in the seam line (the 'ditch') of quilt blocks or garment panels. The central guide keeps you locked into the seam groove, making it ideal for quilt top finishing and discreet reinforcement stitching.

    Bias Binding Foot

    Bias binding foot

    This foot feeds and stitches pre-folded or unfolded bias tape along the edge of your fabric in one seamless operation. With adjustable guides, it keeps the tape perfectly aligned for a polished, consistent finish — a must for decorative or functional binding on curves and corners.

    Flat Felled Foot

    Flat felled foot

    Used to create strong, flat seams with no raw edges — think jeans and sportswear. It folds and stitches the fabric in one pass for a clean finish on both sides. Durable and tidy, ideal for trousers, jackets, and heavy-use garments.

    Pin Tucking Foot

    Pin tucking foot

    Best used with a twin needle, this foot features evenly spaced grooves underneath that guide raised pin tucks. Great for adding texture to garments, heirloom sewing, and fine detailing on blouses, linens, and children’s clothes.

    Roller Foot

    Roller foot

    The roller foot is designed with one or more rollers that glide smoothly over fabrics with texture, thickness, or stickiness. Perfect for sewing leather, suede, vinyl, or velvet without drag or uneven feeding.

    Free Motion Quilting or Embroidery Foot

    Free motion embroidery or quilting foot

    This foot allows you to move the fabric freely in all directions while sewing. It's used with the feed dogs lowered and is ideal for free-motion quilting, stippling, and drawing with thread. Available in open or closed toe designs depending on visibility needs.

    Open Toe Foot

    Open toe foot

    With a wide cutout at the front, this foot gives you maximum visibility for decorative stitching, appliqué, and quilting. It helps ensure precise placement and monitoring of your stitches, especially useful when following outlines or printed patterns.

    Appliqué Foot

    Appliqué foot

    Designed with a short, slightly curved sole, this foot handles the stop-and-turn nature of appliqué beautifully. The open front allows clear view of the needle, and the smooth base prevents snagging on layered or fused designs.

    How to Change a Presser Foot

    1. Raise the presser foot lever and needle to the top.
    2. Press the release button or lever to detach the foot.
    3. Align the new foot under the holder and lower it until it snaps into place.
    4. Manually lower the needle to confirm it aligns safely through the foot hole.

    Tip: Keep a labeled storage box for your feet — it’ll save you hours of digging and guessing later on!


    Leave a comment

    Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

    Thanks for subscribing!

    This email has been registered!

    Shop the look

    Choose Options

    Edit Option

    Choose Options

    this is just a warning
    Shopping Cart
    0 items