Four Reasons to use an Interchangeable Dual Feed Foot
What is an Interchangeable Dual Feed Foot and what does it do?
If you’re a quilter you may well know what an Interchangeable Dual Feed foot is and just how precious they are!
An Interchangeable Dual feed (also known as a walking foot or even feed foot) is one of the most useful sewing tools you can have.
It’s essentially a large presser foot that gives your machine super powers! It helps you sew without the fabric under the foot shifting around. Suddenly pattern matching is a breeze, knits glide through your machine without growing, multiple layers (and even batting) flow through with ease and slippery fabrics finally fall in line.
Sounds like a dream, right?
Let’s get into the details.
I’m using Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby with the Interchangeable Dual Feed foot. The kit comes with Edge/Quilting guides, and both straight stitch or zig zag feet.
How does it work?
It gives you an extra set of feed dogs for the top of your fabric. What are feed dogs? They are the rows of what look like metal teeth poking up under your presser foot or needle on your machine. The move back and forth to feed your fabric under the presser foot. They determine the stitch length and speed at which you sew!
For general sewing the feed dogs that are built into your machine will be just fine. However, if you want more control, the Interchangeable Dual Feed foot will ensure that the top layer of your fabric is moving through at the same rate as the bottom layer.
The images above show you how an ordinary presser foot applies pressure forward as it slides along the top of your fabric. Whereas the Interchangeable Dual Feed foot draws the fabric back to match the bottom layer. This can avoid that pesky shifting, puckering or stretching you might come up against otherwise.
Time to Experiment
Stretch fabric
If they're not handled carefully, Stretchy fabrics tend to stretch under the presser foot. Have a look at the same stretch fabric sewn with a regular foot and an Interchangeable Dual Feed foot side by side below. You can see the nice even stitches from the Interchangeable Dual Feed foot on the left, whereas the regular foot has stretched the knit and created uneven stitches on the right!
2. Slippery fabric
Now let’s look at two layers of shifty satin. You might be tempted to load up on pins when working with slippery fabric, but you run the risk of damaging the fabric. The added control you have with an Interchangeable Dual Feed foot can reduce the need for excessive pinning. Again, you can see the uneven stitches in the right sample with the regular foot, and the slippery satin has shifted.
3. Pattern matching
Let’s look at matching up some bold stripes! Both samples start out well but the regular foot eventually shifts.
4. Binding
Ever had those strange and incredibly frustrating ripples and pulls along your binding once it’s attached? That’s because it has shifted as you attached it. I used a particularly tight bind with 20mm bias binding on these samples. There is a clear winner!
There are so many benefits to a Interchangeable Dual Feed foot some people love to leave it on as their default foot! Have you used one? Will you give it a go? Once you do - you’ll never look back!
Don’t forget to share your projects with us on Instagram, tagging @husqvarnvikingsewingaus and using the hashtags #husqvarnavikingaustralia # husqvarnavikingsewing #keepingtheworldsewing or our Facebook page Husqvarna Viking Australia.
Amy Watts: Creative enthusiast and fabric aficionado. With a penchant for intricate designs and a love for vibrant textiles, Amy weaves her passion for sewing into every stitch, turning fabrics into delightful creations that spark joy!
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