So many sewing machine presser feet have “siblings”, another presser foot that seems to do the same job; the gathering foot and the ruffler, the darning foot and the open toe darning foot, the walking foot and the non-stick foot. You may ask yourself, which one is better? The answer is “It depends on the situation.”
When we start out as a new sewer, we acquire tools over time, not unlike any other hobby or trade. To buy them all at once would be an overwhelming experience, not to mention a noticeable expense. We go from having one pair of dressmaker sheers to also adding a pair of smaller scissors for trimming and then an applique scissors and then a tiny pair of embroidery scissors, we add to our tools as our sewing skills and needs grow. The same should happen with presser feet.
Presser feet are the tools of the sewing machine, the extension of the machine that touches, hold, pushes or pulls, guides or directs your fabric, and just one presser foot is not enough to cover every situation as our sewing skills mature. As our skills grow, so must our attachments, eventually, you may think you have a good collection of presser feet, but did you ever wonder if you have the “best” one for each situation? This brings us back to the foot “siblings”.
We do get asked frequently which one of the two (or three or four) options would be best. Sometimes, the answer really is “it depends”. What we mean by this is that you need to try both in order to find out. Sewing is not an exact art, we must test and experiment with the pattern layout on the fabric before we cut and test before we sew the garment’s first seam. To have two different but similar options allows us to truly experiment and find out the best option on the particular fabric and technique to be used. For example, a walking foot is one of the most ubiquitous presser feet available today, many people have one for even feeding of fabric. But it may not always be the best option for let’s say sewing leather, there, a non-stick foot might be the better choice for feeding the leather evenly. Another common scenario is with darning feet, there are a number of choices. In the end, they all do the same thing, allow us to sew free motion in any direction, but, some allow us to do it better than others in some situations. Having two or three darning feet in your tool box allows you to try each for a new situation. The one you use most often, sometimes is not the best one to use with a new type of fabric or a new sewing technique.
So when your budget allows, pick up a “sibling” presser foot “just because”. You won’t know which option is best until you try it, and when you have more than one choice, you’ll be glad that you have such a full accessory box to be able to choose the best option for your new sewing project, especially when you are starting a new project and you can’t wait a couple of days for another option to be delivered to try out. Having a variety of options let’s you sew when the mood and time is right!
