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21 Best Presser Feet -2025 Buying Guide
A variety of presser feet for sewing machines are available, but they might be extremely confusing. Make sewing simpler, more accurate, and quicker by using our guide for sewing machine presser feet.
You can find a lot of presser feet available online, but even though all of them have distinct functions, you actually require only a few of them on a daily basis.
What is a Presser Foot?
In this busy day, sewing machine feet or presser feet may not be at the top of your list of sewing priorities, but these little metal pieces can be used to bedazzle fabric. Instead of just simple stitches, add fancy stitches, buttons, designs, and more.
Even though your sewing machine likely came with a few standard presser feet, it’s a good idea to buy more. As your sewing skills and desire to try new stitching styles improve, you may want or need to change the presser foot on your sewing machine. For bigger projects, you will need a walking foot.
Best Presser Feet – Top Picks
Best Presser Feet Set (Read detailed reviews here).
- Best Collection of Low Shank Presser Feet (48 pieces)
- Best Collection of High Shank Presser Feet (73 pieces)
Individual Presser Feet by Function (Read detailed reviews here).
- Universal Presser Foot (jump to details)
- Applique Foot (jump to details)
- Blind Hem Foot (jump to details)
- Button Foot (jump to details)
- Buttonhole Foot (jump to details)
- Cording Foot (jump to details)
- Circular Foot (jump to details)
- Darning Foot (jump to details)
- Elastic Foot (jump to details)
- Embroidery Foot (jump to details)
- Gathering/Ruffling Foot (jump to details)
- Overcasting Foot (jump to details)
- Overlock Foot (jump to details)
- Pintuck Foot (jump to details)
- Piping Foot (jump to details)
- Quilting Foot (jump to details)
- Rolled Hem Foot (jump to details)
- Straight Stitch Foot (jump to details)
- Walking Foot (jump to details)
- Zigzag Stitch Foot (jump to details)
- Zipper Foot (jump to details)
Sewing Machine Presser Feet Cheat Sheet
The first sewing machines only had one presser foot, which was fixed to the bottom of the needle bar. But when zigzag stitches and decorative stitches were added to home sewing machines, the presser foot had to change.
Before long, presser feet were developed for specific tasks. Today, however, it seems as though we have a different presser foot for each and every sewing task we perform on a sewing machine or serger.
The following presser feet guide describes the most frequently used feet types and their functions. NOTE: All of the models shown in this table are in my personal collection unless otherwise noted.
| Foot | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Presser Foot | To sew gorgeous crafts and clothes, you do not need any kind of sophisticated equipment. All you need is a sewing machine with a universal presser foot. All sewing machines come with universal feet that can be used to sew straight lines, basic zigzags, and decorative stitches on a variety of fabrics. Almost ninety percent of sewing tasks can be successfully completed with just this one foot and the sewing machine. | |
| Straight Stitch Foot | Use for sewing straight stitches only. This presser foot is designed in such a way that attempting to use it for anything other than a simple straight stitch will result in broken needles. This presser foot is especially useful when working with heavy fabrics. |  |
| Zigzag Stitch Foot | The zigzag presser foot is wider than the straight stitch presser foot. It has a wider opening, designed to accommodate zigzag stitches of varying widths. Some people use the zigzag foot for multiple tasks – including straight stitching. |  |
| Zipper Foot | A zipper foot assists you in stitching right up against a zipper’s coil. Your designer jeans and bags will appear really polished and fasten effortlessly.. The zipper foot has a screw that can be adjusted to allow the foot to slide to either side of the zipper for ideal placement and easier stitching. NOTE: The standard zipper foot is not compatible with invisible zippers.If you want to insert an invisible zipper, a special foot is required. Refer to the instructions on your zipper package and consult a sales representative at your local fabric store before attempting to insert an invisible zipper. |  |
| Buttonhole Foot | There is a broad category of buttonhole feet available. But they all let you make neat buttonholes. Choose one with an in-built memory capability so that you can easily repeat your most preferred sizes time and time again. The buttonhole foot helps the sewer make rectangle buttonholes with ease and precision. Every buttonhole foot is clearly marked to help the user determine the proper buttonhole size before stitching.The addition of buttonhole templates, however, helps assure uniformity when making several identical buttonholes in a single garment – like a blouse, shirt, jacket or coat. NOTE: Very few sewing machines include buttonhole templates as standard accessories. |   |
| Button Foot | The button-fixing foot can attach both two-hole and four-hole buttons to fabric or clothing. The sewing machine uses a zigzag stitch to sew the button to the cloth, while the button-fixing foot holds the button in place. This rubber coated open toed foot makes it easy to attach any flat button. Simply drop your feed dogs, set the stitch length to ‘0’ and adjust your stitch width to correspond with the holes in the button and your work is done. |  |
| Embroidery Foot | The embroidery foot is appropriate for shirring cloth. The fabric is couched with elastic thread on sewing machines. The elastic thread can easily fit underneath the embroidery presser foot because of its amazing design. The thread is tugged gently while being fed through the hole of the presser foot. The fabric gathers as it is pulled further. The elastic can be wound around the bobbin by performing a straight stitch on the machine. | |
| Applique Foot | The applique foot looks very much like the zigzag foot, but the clear plastic covering helps protect delicate appliques as they are being attached. It also makes it possible for the user to see very clearly where each stitch is positioned. |  |
| Piping Foot | The slightly elevated area on the underside of this presser foot guarantees proper placement of your piping and allows you to stitch as close to the piping as possible. Piping feet come in several different sizes to accommodate various sizes.Piping used on accessories, upholstery or home décor items, for example is often larger than that used on an item of clothing. NOTE: Try the zipper foot if you want to insert piping but do not have access to a piping foot. It works just as well. |  |
| Rolled Hem Foot | When sewing very delicate fabrics like tricot and voile a rolled hem is essential. The rolled hem foot makes it possible for you to get the perfect narrow rolled hem with little or no headaches. NOTE: I sometimes find it easier to put a tiny over cast stitch along the raw edge of my garment to prevent fraying before putting in a rolled hem. |  |
| Cording Foot | A cording foot is put on the sewing machine so that decorative threads and cords can be sewn on. It is applied to the machine’s seam to attach the cords. This foot is intended for closed sewing on a raised edge. This foot is ideal when you decide to add cording to a garment or accessory without revealing as single stitch. This foot is especially useful when making furniture slip covers and other home décor items. |  |
| Blind Hem Foot | This foot is useful when hemming slacks, skirts or dresses on a sewing machine in lieu of hemming by hand. The blind hem foot is a supplementary attachment that is mostly used for edge finishing. It can be used on a variety of home decorative items, such as cushion covers, curtains, as well as clothing items, such as pants and skirts, etc. NOTE: a universal zigzag presser foot can be used to perform this function. |  |
| Walking Foot | This interesting looking presser foot makes working with very thick layers of fabric easier while maintaining total control of the upper and lower fabrics layers. |  |
| Quilting Foot | The quilting foot is ideal for freehand and pattern quilting as well. It is specifically designed to help the user sew with multiple layers of fabric while simultaneously keeping the quilt batting in place. The strange looking bar attached to the quilting foot is a guide to help the user maintain the desired distance between rows of stitches. |  |
| Elastic Foot | The elastic foot makes it easier to sew elastic to fabric, and the presser foot keeps the tension even so the needle doesn’t have to work too hard or pull too hard. | |
| Pintuck Foot | Yes… it is possible to put in pintucks without this one, but why go through the drudgery when this presser foot can take all the guesswork out of the task? All you need to get perfect pintucks is to use this presser foot and a twin needle. |  |
| Overcasting Foot | The thread is locked around the edge of the fabric and aligned with the overcasting foot to create a consistent and precise overcast stitch and also keep the fabric from moving around. | |
| Darning Foot | This interesting presser foot with a built in spring is ideal for repairing small holes in just about anything. Lower the feed dogs, adjust the stitch length and width to your desired setting and when you’re done, no one would ever guess that a hole was ever there. |  |
| Overlock Foot | When using a sewing machine, the fabric should be placed under the overlock foot so that the stitches are sewn just a little bit over the edge of the cloth. The overlock foot creates a strong finish on fraying or thick seams. To ensure that the edge is held in place, you can make use of a metal bar. | |
| Circular Foot | The circular foot is used on the majority of top-loading sewing machines. The seamstress can choose between straight, zigzag, or decorative stitching in a circular pattern. With this popular circular foot attachment, you can stitch perfect circles with a diameter of almost 25 cm. This makes it a must-have for decorative and craft work. | |
| Gathering/Ruffling Foot | The gathering foot is used to make ruffles and certain skirts collars and cuffs as well as other things. A ruffling foot makes it simple to create, connect, and finally finish the edges of many types of different fabric. The usage of the ruffling presser foot may vary with various sewing machines. It is mostly used to make children’s clothing and curtains. This attachment can take pleated or gathered frills and put them on another piece at the same time. It is one of the most important sewing machine attachments, and the manufacturers of this amazing money- and time-saving steel invention deserve a lot of credit. |  |
Buying Guide – Presser Feet
What is a Presser Foot?
A presser foot is an important accessory for sewing machines. It basically keeps the fabric in a flat position while it is fed through the sewing machine and sewn. Sewing machines have parts called “feed dogs” that are sewn into the bed of the machine so that the fabric can grab on and move easily through the machine. It is necessary to keep the cloth flat so that it won’t pucker while being sewn and fall and rise with the needle. Along with the presser foot, the sewer can add additional support for the cloth by guiding it with the help of one hand. If you are fond of sewing thick workpieces, say, quilts, a unique attachment known as a walking foot can be used instead of a presser foot.
A new presser foot will give your sewing machine more versatility. Presser feet for sewing machines can be used for a variety of tasks, including gathering and rolling hems, buttonholes, zippers, cording, blind hems and open toes, and more.
Presser Feet: Is it required?
You might already know that in order to stitch the fabric perfectly with a sewing machine, a presser foot is highly essential. Presser feet facilitate a variety of quilting and sewing chores. The fabric is held on to the feed teeth by the presser foot as soon as it is placed on them, assisting in further advancing the fabric under the needle. Pressure feet perform several essential sewing tasks, a sewist cannot think of stitching without one.
Presser feet can be of great help in making your sewing problems go away. They also let you really customize your sewing by adding features you haven’t seen before that are new and innovative. Even if you’ve been sewing for a long time, it can be very eye-opening to learn what the presser foot can do.
How To Choose The Best Presser Foot?
Run a Test with your Handwheel
You shouldn’t simply start using the presser foot immediately after you purchase it, even if you believe it to be actually compatible with your sewing machine. You might be able to find out quickly if you bought the right presser foot by slowly testing it by hand and using it. Instead of pressing down on the foot pedal as soon as you put the presser foot in the machine, try turning the handwheel slowly. When you lower the hand wheel and the needle comes dangerously close to the edge of the presser foot, that is a clear-cut indication that you are using the wrong presser foot.
Compatibility of Presser Feet with Sewing Machines
The compatibility of presser feet varies from machine to machine. The appropriate presser feet for a particular sewing machine are usually described in the manual that came with it. A generic specialty presser foot can be used with most sewing machines. During the sewing process, they feed both the bottom and top layers of fabric at the same time. They are best for sewing or quilting velvet. Most sewing machines come with a patchwork presser foot that has a seam allowance of one-fourth of an inch and a zipper presser foot that makes it easier to put in zippers.
Determine your Sewing Machine’s Widest Stitching Capability
Sewing machines and presser feet both have a maximum stitch width. A sewing machine has a maximum stitch width of either 5 millimeters, 7 millimeters, or 9 millimeters. The package also tells you how to attach the foot to your sewing machine. The one required for your presser foot should match. This is one of the reasons you should not throw away your presser foot packaging after opening it. your machine’s in order for it to function properly. This figure is normally printed on the box that came with the presser foot. This is one of the reasons you should not throw away your presser foot packaging after opening it.
Tip to determine the maximum level of stitch width for your sewing machine: Remove the zigzag needle plate and then measure the horizontal hole’s width on the stitch plate.
View the Website of the Manufacturer of Your Sewing Machine
In today’s digital world, most brands of sewing machines maintain a website to showcase their machines and each accessory that comes with the machine. There is a list of all the different types of sewing machines and how they work with the right presser foot. There are also pictures or videos that show how to use the presser foot.
Determine between High Shank and Low Shank
Presser feet are made specifically to fit sewing machines with high or low shanks. For this reason, high-shank screws on presser feet cannot be used on low-shank machines, and the opposite is also true. Determining high and low shanks is very important if you intend to install screws on the presser feet. Most sewing machines for household usage come with low shanks, it should be noted. If you know what kind of sewing machine you have, you can immediately get rid of presser feet that won’t work.
You can find more about this information in your sewing machine’s handbook. As an alternative, you also have the option of gauging the shank height on your own.
A low-shank sewing machine is one where the distance between the thumb screw’s center and the machine bed is less than 1/2 inch. Whereas in a high-shank sewing machine, this distance is longer than or equivalent to 1 inch.
Types of Presser Feet – High, Low, and Slant Shank
Presser feet come in three basic types… long or high shank, short or low shank, and the slanted shank. In short, the type of presser foot your sewing machine needs is dictated entirely by the needle bar.
Depending upon the way a sewing machine is built, the needle bar can be either long, short or slightly slanted. Then there are the machines that are built to use snap on presser feet. A presser foot that is built for a machine with a long shank will not fit a machine with a slanted or short shank.
If your sewing machine was designed to work with snap on presser feet, it will not work with feet designed for use on sewing machines with long, short or slanted shanks.
Before buying more presser feet, you should know what kind of presser foot your machine can handle.
If after inspecting your sewing machine, you are not clear about the style or type of presser foot your machine uses, this information is readily available in the accessories section of your owner’s manual.
If you are like many home sewers, you have at least one sewing machine and a serger. Many people have more than one sewing machine, a serger and sometimes even another type of specialty machine.
Having such an arsenal of machines often means that you have a different type of presser foot for each machine. That is the situation in my sewing room.
I have two sewing machines and one serger. The serger uses snap on presser feet. Thankfully, both my sewing machines are built with long shanks.
Therefore, I need only two sets of presser feet. I simplify things by using the serger only for certain tasks. My sewing machines, however, get a good workout on a regular basis.
Recommended Presser Feet Set by Shank
The Aiskaer 48 pcs Presser Feet Set transforms your sewing projects with its 48 different feet, catering to various needs, such as leatherwork, embroidery, zippers, buttons, and beads. Compatible with popular brands like Singer, Brother, Janome, and more, these presser feet ensure professional results and time savings. The included manual accommodates both beginners and advanced sewers, although some beginners find the instructions challenging. Please note it's not suitable for industrial or mini sewing machines.
- Value for money
- Low shank
- Good quality and durability
- Manual and translation can be incomplete
- No labels on the feet
The 73 Piece Practical Presser Foot Set is a game-changer. With 68 presser feet, 4 fixed mounting screws, and a seam guide gauge, this set is perfect for high-shank, single needle industrial sewing machines from brands like Brother, Juki, and Singer. Additionally, it's compatible with many high-shank home sewing machines – just check the listing photograph. These high-shank presser feet boast a total height of approximately 1-1/4" (32mm), ensuring they won't work with low-shank home sewing machines at approximately 7/8” (22 mm) total height.
- Great for industrial sewing machine
- Good quality and durability
- Sturdy products
- Large selection
- Some deliveries have manuals missing
Specialty Presser Feet
The presser feet described above represent a small number of all of the available options. They are, however, the most frequently used in the average home sewing room. While most of the presser feet described are made of metal, nearly every presser foot is also available with a Teflon coating. I generally use my Teflon presser feet when working with vinyl, leather, suede, and fur.
The Teflon coating helps the fabric move more easily than traditional metal feet. Differential feed is an option on a lot of new sewing machines and sergers that helps feed thick fabrics or layers of fabric. Depending on the manufacturer, the differential feed option is available as a built in or an optional feature. In most cases, differential feed is a built in serger feature or an add-on for sewing machines. For instance, the Pfaff IDT [Integrated Dual Transportation] system and the Bernina Stitch Regulator and Dual feed.
These optional features are additional accessories that are attached to the needle bar to work with the presser foot to make machine quilting easier by eliminating slippage while working with thick layers of fabric.
Other presser feet are available as well. Some of the other specialty presser feet in this category include:
- Bias tape binding foot – used for attaching bias tape with ease.
- Braiding foot – simplifies attaching brading, cords, ribbon.
- Stitch in the ditch/edge joining foot – designed to help make edge joining and stitching in the ditch as easy as possible.
Detailed Reviews of Best Presser Feet
Elevate your sewing experience with this essential accessory: the Singer All-Purpose Low Shank Presser Foot! Ideal for various fabrics, this foot accommodates machines with low shank needles. Its broad needle slot allows for precise stitching up to 7 mm width, perfect for creative projects. Seamlessly insert elastic and tackle repairs effortlessly. Compatible with renowned brands like Bernina, Babylock, Janome, and more.
Achieve a joyous sewing experience with this essential accessory for beautiful and accurate results: the YEQIN 1/4 Inch Straight Stitch Foot! Crafted from durable hard metal, this snap-on presser foot ensures flawless straight stitching. Designed to maintain a precise 1/4" distance from the center needle to the foot's edge, it guarantees perfect stitch formation on delicate fabrics. Compatible with low-shank sewing machines, including popular brands like Babylock, Bernina, Brother, and more.
Get ready to sew with confidence and ease with the YEQIN Zig Zag, Straight Stitch Presser Foot. Crafted from durable hard metal, this favorite among sewers offers versatility and longevity. Ideal for general sewing on various fabrics, it excels in elastic insertion and basic mending. The wide needle slot accommodates stitches up to 7 mm in width. With its quick-clicking system, effortlessly attach and switch pressure feet. Compatible with low-shank sewing machines, including Babylock, Bernina, Brother, and more.
Conquer button sewing like never before with this essential accessory for sewing enthusiasts! Unleash your inner Button Master as this foot securely holds buttons, saving you valuable sewing time. Effortlessly attach hook and eye closures with ease. Designed for use with Singer Sewing Machines, this presser foot makes sewing buttons a breeze. Streamline your sewing process and achieve professional results effortlessly.
Designed for 7 mm open toe applique, this foot is compatible with Brother, Babylock, Singer, Elna, Janome, Juki, and more. Perfect for mastering techniques like Madeira or satin stitch applique, the open toe provides a clear view of stitching for intricate decorative work, including embroidery, monogramming, and cut work. Glide effortlessly over dense decorative stitches with the wide channel on the underside, ensuring impeccable results in your creative endeavors.
Unlock the potential for seamless zipper applications in your creations with the TISEKER Zipper Foot and Invisible Zipper Foot. Effortlessly create concealed zippers with the Invisible Zipper Presser Foot, ensuring beautiful and professional results. The snap-on design allows quick and tool-free attachment to the machine bracket, facilitating easy changes between feet. Crafted from durable, anti-rust metal, this set enhances precision and efficiency, making tedious tasks a breeze. Compatible with a range of low shank snap-on sewing machines, including Singer, Brother, Janome, and more.
Achieve perfectly spaced pleats and gathers effortlessly with the Singer Ruffler Attachment Presser Foot. Ideal for light to medium weight fabrics, this ruffler creates uniform pleats at set intervals for a polished finish. With dimensions of 3 x 2 x 2 inches and weighing only 4 ounces, it's compact yet effective. Compatible with low-shank sewing machines, including Singer M1, M2, M3, M4 Series, and C1, C2, C3, C4 Series. Easily install with downloadable instructions and video tutorials available on the product page.
Achieve exquisite rolled hems effortlessly with the Narrow Rolled Hem Sewing Machine Presser Foot Set. This kit features 3 different sizes, perfect for creating beautiful hems on lightweight fabrics. Crafted from durable stainless steel, the presser foot is long-lasting and resistant to rust. Suitable for household multi-function sewing machines with over 15 stitch patterns, ensure stability before use. The set includes 3 hem presser feet in 3 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm sizes, catering to various projects. While sewing with this foot may require practice, it promises a friendly condition of use.
The Singer Embroidery Presser Foot is your indispensable sewing companion specifically designed for low-shank sewing machines. Ideal for free-motion quilting, stippling, thread painting, monograms, and repairs, it's a must-have in your sewing room. For free-motion quilting, simply set your machine to a straight stitch, adjusting the length as you move the quilt. Explore thread painting with metallic threads using a Singer chromium embroidery needle for optimal results. Repair tears and holes effortlessly, and engage in free-motion monogramming by selecting a ZigZag stitch with a length set to zero.
The 1/4" Quilting Patchwork Sewing Foot is essential for achieving flawless quarter-inch seams in your quilting endeavors. It features an attached edge guide for creating perfect 1/4" seams. A crucial tool for quilting, it ensures seamless alignment of seams, making your quilting projects a breeze. The foot boasts accurate reference markings on three sides for improved visibility and precision. The single-hole design prevents fabrics from sinking into feed dogs, and it's suitable for all 7 mm feed dog machines. Compatible with various low-shank snap-on sewing machines, including Singer, Brother, Janome, and more.
Designed for impeccable results in your projects, this 7 mm sewing foot is compatible with most household sewing machines. It features a two-groove underside to securely hold and cover cord, making it ideal for crafters creating their own piping cord. Compatible with a range of low-shank snap-on sewing machines, including Singer, Brother, Janome, and more, this piping foot ensures professional results when attaching piping. Experience ease of use and eliminate tedious tasks with this high-quality sewing foot.
The YEQIN Snap On Overcast Presser Foot is an extremely efficient tool for professional garment finishes. Mimicking a serged/overlock effect, it effectively prevents raw edges from fraying by neatly wrapping thread around the edges of the fabric. Whether you're working with delicate fabrics or sturdy materials, this foot ensures a polished and secure seam. Compatible with Babylock, Brother, Simplicity, Singer Domestic Sewing Machines, the YEQIN Overcast Snap On Presser Foot is your key to achieving flawless and durable garment construction.
Achieve impeccable buttonholes and drawstring holes with the Dreamstitch Snap On Buttonhole Presser Foot. This foot ensures perfectly stitched and even results in every project. Compatible with EverSewn Sewing Machine Sparrow 15, Juki Sewing Machines, and Singer Sewing Machines, it provides versatility across various machine models. Elevate your sewing experience with this reliable and essential accessory, ensuring professional and polished finishes for all your button and drawstring holes.
The Vanice Elastic Presser Foot, made from high-quality steel, ensures durability and longevity for extended use. Specifically designed for domestic multi-purpose sewing machines, it excels in handling elastic cord band fabric, providing a stretch effect for various sewing projects. Please note that this elastic presser foot is not suitable for industrial sewing machines, mini sewing machines, or old sewing machines. However, it effortlessly fits all low shank snap-on sewing machines, including popular brands like Singer, Brother, Janome, and more.
This unique accessory is designed to create beautiful flower-inspired circular designs using your sewing machine's decorative stitches. Let your imagination bloom as you adorn garments, button covers, craft projects, and more with stunning floral patterns or perfect circles. This genuine Singer accessory comes in a carded blister pack, ensuring authenticity and quality. Compatible with low-shank sewing machines, including popular brands like Babylock, Bernina, Brother, Janome, and more, it offers versatility in your sewing projects. Access downloadable instructions and a video tutorial on the product page for easy setup and inspiration.
This snap-on accessory is perfect for adding decorative touches to garments, table linens, and bed linens, especially when paired with a twin needle (not included). Compatible with low-shank sewing machines, including popular brands like Babylock, Bernina, Brother, and Janome, this presser foot is versatile and easy to use. Create evenly-spaced raised tucks in your fabric by working with a twin needle (SINGER Style 2025). This genuine Singer accessory comes in a carded blister pack, ensuring authenticity and quality. Add texture and style to your creations with this essential accessory for embellishing various fabric items.
This versatile accessory allows you to add surface embellishments to fabrics using cords, thin braids, embroidery floss, or yarn. The Cording Snap-On Presser Foot is not only perfect for surface embellishment but also for gathering fabrics, adding a versatile touch to your sewing repertoire. Compatible with low-shank sewing machines, including popular brands like Babylock, Bernina, Brother, and Janome, this foot is a valuable addition to your sewing accessories.
The Hemmer Foot kit includes 5 pieces for versatile domestic hemming. The kit comprises three wide rolled hem presser feet (4/8, 6/8, and 8/8 inch) and three narrow sewing foot hemmers (3, 4, and 6 mm), catering to various fabric hemming needs. Suitable for low shank machines, this kit ensures easy handling and precise results for a variety of hemming projects.
A must-have for quilting, the Singer Even Feed Walking Presser Foot is perfect for sewing multiple layers. Ideal for smooth materials and matching plaids or prints, it features a moving feed system that holds fabric securely between upper and lower feed dogs. Compatible with vertical needles and most low-shank sewing machines, this genuine Singer accessory ensures stability and prevents fabric shifting. Compatible with brands like Babylock, Janome, and more.
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Can be a bit clunky
Presser Foot History
Back when home sewing machines produced only straight stitches, it was impossible to make a buttonhole without a buttonhole maker. The buttonhole maker was a gadget that was purchased separately. It came with a set of templates that allowed the user to make an infinite number of uniform buttonholes. Once it was attached to the sewing machine, all you had to do was place the fabric in the proper position and press the foot pedal.
Although both of my sewing machines are capable of making buttonholes with the buttonhole foot, I use a buttonhole maker because the process is not only easier, but also more precise.
With my buttonhole foot, I get beautiful rectangle-shaped buttonholes of all sizes, but that’s all I can do. With the buttonhole maker, however, I can make keyhole buttonholes for jackets and coats, eyelets, as well as oval shaped buttonholes for blouses and shirts when I don’t want a row of rectangle shaped buttonholes.
These buttonhole options are available on many new sewing machine models. However, for all of those who own and continue to use the many older machines out there, the buttonhole maker is an ideal accessory. The downside is that buttonhole makers are no longer being manufactured. You can, however, find them online and at local dealers who specialize in refurbished and used sewing machines.
Caring for a buttonhole maker is as simple as wiping away dust and lint and lubricating it from time to time.
Conclusion
For my money, you cannot have too many presser feet… not because they break but because they are so useful in making your time at the sewing machine or serger so much easier.
The truth of the matter is presser feet are quite durable and almost impossible to break. In all honesty, presser feet, when properly cared for, will outlast most sewing machines and sergers.
In most cases, the presser feet that were included in the accessories case when you purchased your sewing machine or serger should be enough for you to perform practically every basic sewing and serging task you could imagine.
As your sewing repertoire expands, however, you may find a need to purchase some of the specialty models.
If you misplace or lose a presser foot or if you acquired your sewing machine as a gift handed down from a friend or inherited it from relative, you may find that you need to replace a lost button hole or zipper foot.
Once you ascertain the type of presser foot you need – high, low or slant shank or snap on – you will be able to easily find what you need at your local fabric store or sewing machine dealer or online at sites like.
Unlike some sewing machine accessories, presser feet are interchangeable between various brands. The only thing you need to be concerned with is the type of shank you are working with.
If you are in the market for a new machine, and have already invested in several additional units, such as a gathering foot or an invisible zipper foot for example, you should consider the type of shank available on the machines you are thinking of buying.
Otherwise, you will find yourself shopping for additional presser feet to fit your new sewing machine or serger. This may limit your choices, but with so many great machines on the market, you are certain to find the perfect machine in little or no time.
Summary: The Best Presser Foot is
Best Presser Feet Set (Read detailed reviews here).
- Best Collection of Low Shank Presser Feet (48 pieces)
- Best Collection of High Shank Presser Feet (73 pieces)
Individual Presser Feet by Function (Read detailed reviews here).
- Universal Presser Foot (jump to details)
- Applique Foot (jump to details)
- Blind Hem Foot (jump to details)
- Button Foot (jump to details)
- Buttonhole Foot (jump to details)
- Cording Foot (jump to details)
- Circular Foot (jump to details)
- Darning Foot (jump to details)
- Elastic Foot (jump to details)
- Embroidery Foot (jump to details)
- Gathering/Ruffling Foot (jump to details)
- Overcasting Foot (jump to details)
- Overlock Foot (jump to details)
- Pintuck Foot (jump to details)
- Piping Foot (jump to details)
- Quilting Foot (jump to details)
- Rolled Hem Foot (jump to details)
- Straight Stitch Foot (jump to details)
- Walking Foot (jump to details)
- Zigzag Stitch Foot (jump to details)
- Zipper Foot (jump to details)
At first, it might seem hard to find the right presser foot for your sewing machine. However, if you follow these simple tips, it will be easier for you to find the right presser foot. In the end, you’ll be required to do a lot of online research and also go through a little bit of trial and error to locate the ideal presser foot that works best for you.
Quick Tip: Buy your presser feet in a multi-pack to save a ton of money. These multi-packs can significantly improve the sewing productivity and quality, and can also fit with the majority of sewing machines.
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a basic, heavy duty or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started. Happy Stitching.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
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Happy Stitching.
I have a pfaff 130, which I have used for years. It was my mothers, I have many feet for it but would like to acquire a 1/4″ quilting foot, a darning foot, a walking foot (if possible).
Hard to find presser feet for it, when I put pfaff 130 presser feet in the search bar of different supplier web sites, it always pops up as unavailable. Any suggestions?
Gail,
I have an older Pfaff too (a 1475CD). I called Pfaff customer service in the US and they looked up my machine, for mine I can buy any foot in their “G” grouping.
They should do the same for you. I have bought numerous presser feet for mine, most from Pfaff, and all of them fit and worked perfectly on my machine.
Good luck.
Hi Gail,
Not sure if you have found presser feet for your Pfaff 130 yet, but I stumbled upon your comment while researching attachments and I happen to have quite a few of them! I am inexperienced with sewing, but I inherited 70+ years of various sewing items from a recently deceased PFAFF dealer. (Landlord) I have slowly been learning and re-selling pieces on eBay. I just sold to sets of the feet for the 130 today! If you have yet to find any, email me (lynzie48@gmail.com) and I would be happy to shoot you some photos of what I have.
Oops. I meant *two*.
Check online for “compatible feet” for your machine.
Hello, Gail –
Try looking through the accessories catalog on the Pfaff website. There you will find several pages of presser feet. I cannot guarantee that they list accessories for your 130, but it is worth a try. You may also want to consider your local Pfaff dealer. If all else fails, why not try sites like e-bay?
Are button hole makers machine specific? For example, will a Singer buttonhole maker work with an Elna machine?
Hello, William –
Thank you for visiting Sewing Insight. Some machines are compatible with Singer buttonhole makers; others are not.
The Singer Professional buttonhole maker is the least likely to fit many of the older machines.
The regular Singer buttonhole maker, on the other hand, is probably your best choice. If at all possible, I suggest you try one first to make sure it fits your Elna before making the investment. I have a Geist buttonhole maker that was given to me. Because it did not have a 1/2 inch template, I purchased a Singer buttonhole maker on ebay. Before doing that, however, I went to the message board at patternreviewer.com to find out if anyone could suggest an alternative. That’s where I learned that Singer and Geist templates are interchangeable. To be honest, I have not attempted to attach the Singer buttonhole maker to my vintage Fleetwood sewing machine, but the templates work just fine.
One more thing – I am not aware of any other brand of buttonhole maker, and it seems as though Geist is almost impossible to find. With that in mind, a Singer buttonhole maker might be just the answer for you. Before buying it, however, make sure it works with your Elna shank. This is the problem I discovered with the Singer Professional buttonhole maker.
Happy stitching.
Hello;
I have singer multistitch sewing machine which i got with hem rolled foot and button hole foot;but now I want to add pressure foot such as ; :
Gathering foot; cording foot;pin tuck foot ; twin needle ; darning foot
Can u plz tell me that will all these foot be suitable and work on my machine.
Please help need some suggestions
I have a white model 81524. Most of the feet I have, have bars across them, presumably for snap on. What do they snap on to.
I have been using a pfaff for about 20 years, and just got a Quilt expression. Can you tell me if the ‘snap-on’ feet for other machines will clip onto the pfaff? I wondered if there might be a difference in thickness – but don’t want to experiment and run the risk of upsetting the machine! Generic feet are so much more inexpensive than Pfaff feet!
Hi – I am trying to identify a few presser feet that may be from an old Bernette I used to have. I have a Pfaff 1022 Hobby but I don’t thiink these feet go with it. Any ideas on where I can get info to help me identify them? I tried to post them on the Bernina facebook page and they deleted the post immediately.
What kind of presser foot, (walking foot), do I get for a singer one plus 2013. It has snap on feet.
Thanks for your help.
Hi I have a white 77 rotary sewing machine, but it didn’t come with the feet! So I was wondering if I could upgrade it to accept snap on feet. Can this be done?? Please help I love these old sewing machines but if I can’t find the feet I might have to get a newer model .. uuug 🙂
Hi, Kayla –
Thank you for visiting Sewing Insight.
I suspect it may be possible, but this is a question you will have to ask a sewing machine repair professional in your area. Make sure you take your question to someone who specializes in vintage machines, and someone who you know has a good reputation. This job, if it is indeed possible a all, is a very delicate one. You don’t want to trust it to someone who isn’t absolutely certain of what they are doing.
Happy stitching.
Can you answer me that can we use all the pressure foots in juki compact lite weight sewing machine please
Hello, Geetha –
You did not say exactly which Juki model you have. My guess would be that you should be able to use any of these presser feet. However, you might want to first check your owner’s manual before investing in a lot of presser feet to make sure you are purchasing the right type of foot to fit your particular machine. Specifically, does your machine have a high, low, or slanted shank.
So I am confused, is it possible to use an old button hole maker with a brother snap on foot machine? And I can’t find a machine that has a feed dog drop anymore! Well I don’t have enough money for a high end machine. Do they make them anymore? And what about a presser foot pressure adjuster button? I would love some suggestions thank you:)
Hello, Lynda –
Thank you for visiting Sewing Insight.
I have not attempted to use a buttonhole maker on a Brother sewing machine, but I think if you use a buttonhole maker that was designed for the same type of shank that you have on your Brother, you should have no problems.
To answer your question about drop feeds… Yes, it is possible to find an affordable sewing machine with a drop feed feature. My experience has been that the machines that do not have a drop feed include a feed dog cover as a standard accessory.
I got the 12 stitch hl-508a can u help me find different feet for mine plz thanks as lots new to this
You say, ‘Unlike some sewing machine accessories, presser feet are interchangeable between various brands. The only thing you need to be concerned with is the type of shank you are working with.’ There is at least one exception to this rule. I have a Husqvarna Viking 1100, a short shank machine. Generic snap-on feet install ok but the needle hole does not quite line up with the needle. Similarly, my Husqvarna Viking1100 feet snap on my Brother CS6000i,also a short shank machine, but the needle hole doesn’t line up. My life would be easier if this weren’t the case.
Question: I have a Brother Domestic Machine, a friend had a Singer but no longer does, she gave me some of the presser feet ( that she could find) , can I use them on my Brother Machine?
Is it possible for a machine to use snap on and low shank foots? I have a Brothers SQ9185
I have a elna jubille i cant find feet have tried lots needle hits on foot not thru hole anyone know wt to do
Hello! Thank you so much for this article, it has been very helpful.
I do have a question, perhaps you could help? Aside from the shank being different on different machines, if you have a snap on foot should all of the feet fit regardless of the shank? I mean if you have a snap on foot for your long shank machine and one for your short shank machine, should the feet themselves be interchangeable?
Between my mother and I, we own four machines, and I’m looking at a fifth. We have numerous feet for our machines, they have long shanks (actually, I’m not certain about the serger’s foot and shank, I haven’t become proficient with it yet), and many of them are the snap on type.
I’m looking at a machine with a short shank. I’m trying to figure out if the snap on portion of the feet, I really want to call them shoes 😉 would fit the new machine’s snap on foot.
This seems like a thing that I should know, and it certainly seems like a thing that would be easy to find out, but here I am. I still don’t know.
I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks so much.
I have a Singer G411 I bought in 1965 when I got my 1st part time job. It’s still working great, but as it been about 35 years since I made clothes for my family on it (just use it for mending etc lately) I can’t remember which foot does what on it. I’ve recently taken up Colouring on Fabric. I’ve research and found images of All my feet & names but was wondering if any of the feet I have would work for Free motion stippling. Does the foot for this technique go by another name? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Really very useful article . The main speciality of Teflon coating is really very useful.I would like to opt Janome Marvela. Its 4 step buttonhole and free arm stitching A 4 with single touch reverse stitch is really great.
Hi, please I am wondering if I can use a snap-on with a screw-on? My sewing machine’s footer shank and presser foot are attached together and I need to get new presser feet.
I have a Low Shank Singer Confidence 7463 Low Shank Sewing Machine and a Bernette B38 Sewing Machine, also Low Shank.
I mainly use the Bernette B38 now as I find it easier to work with.
My question is as follows:
I have a Walking food with Guide for the Singer Machine * not made for Singer but bought on Amazon and works on the Singer *
Since the screw for the Bernette B38, on the low shank is very different for the Singer Confident 7463 and makes fitting this Walking foot, more difficult, could I not just use the Low Shank of the Singer Confidence 7463 when I want to use the Walking foot.