What Kind of Presser Foot Is Best for Quilting?

Stardard sewing machine used for home quilt making

Many modern quilters use a standard home sewing machine for the entire process of quilt making. Specific types of presser feet are used for different parts of the process.

Straight stitch

Use a straight stitch foot for machine piecing. Adjustments in fabric placement must be made to assure a 1/4-inch seam allowance, which is standard for quilt making.Straight stitch is also used for surface stitched applique; it produces running stitches around the top edge of applique pieces.

Quilting with a straight stitch foot

Straight stitch foot

Quilt straight lines with a straight stitch foot. Attempting curves with this foot will buckle the fabric.

1/4-inch foot

Sew with a 1/4-inch foot for accuracy and to avoid difficulty with fabric placement. This foot is a variation of a straight stitch foot.

Zig-zag foot

Zig-zag foot

Add appliques using a zig-zag foot to produce a satin stitch around the edge of applique pieces. Adjustments for a narrow stitch length and width need to be made on your machine for the satin stitch.

Darning foot

Darning foot

Stitch with a darning foot is for free-motion and curved machine quilting. Free-motion quilting is done with the feeds dogs disengaged, so the fabric can move freely under the needle when the presser foot is down.

References

• Sewing machine feet