What Is a Needle Feed Mechanism in Sewing Machines?

A needle feed mechanism, also called a walking needle, uses the action of the sewing needle to help feed the material through the machine. Needle feed mechanisms are more common on industrial sewing equipment than on home sewing machines.

Types

The three main types of needle feed mechanisms are the upper pivot, the central pivot and the parallel drive. Pivoting needle feed mechanisms move the needle at an angle to help feed the material through the machine, while parallel drives only move the needle back and forth.

Function

Central pivoting needle feed mechanisms can generally sew the fastest, but may cause alignment problems with very thick fabrics. Parallel drive mechanisms are slower and more expensive, but useful for heavy materials.

Features

Most sewing machines that have a needle feed mechanism also have a drop feed or feed dog mechanism, such as those used in most home sewing machines, or a walking foot mechanism that uses a special pressure foot to help grip the material and feed it through the machine.

Considerations

Needle feed sewing machines may use a single needle or a double needle. Machines with double needles are useful for sewing heavy duty fabrics, such as leather and outdoor goods.

Benefits

Needle feed mechanisms are good at preventing the layers of material from slipping, which can be especially important for slick fabrics. Since some needle feed mechanisms do not put pressure on the fabric the way feed dogs do, they will not leave any marks on delicate fabric.

Resources

• Industrialsewingmachine.com describes the types of needle feed mechanisms.
• Artisan Sewing Supplies sells single and double needle feed machines.