walking foot help

[leighi123]

According to this:

http://community.livejournal.com/sew_hip/1633779.html

My machines all have the 'snap on' style feet. But I can only find a choice of 'high shank' or 'low shank' when it comes to walking feet. Will a low shank one work? Or where can I get one that works on 'snap on' feet?

I have 2 different brother machines (well 3, but 2 are the same), and a singer.

[Carolinamidwife]

You may have solved this by now but you have to  measure the distance from the bottom of the foot to the screw hole that attaches the foot to the presser bar.

The approximate measurements are:

• Slant shank - 1-1/8"
• Lo-shank - 3/4"
• Hi-shank - 1/1-4"

HTH!

[sewchris2642]

Walking feet are not snap on because they have a finger that goes around the needle screw.  That arm is what causes the foot to "walk" the fabric.  At a guess, I'd say that Brothers machines are all low shank.  At least all the ones that I have seen are.  Only Singer has the slant needle shank and only on some models.  Other Singers will be low shank.  You can test which shank is for your Brothers by comparing the all purpose foot of the Brothers with the same foot on the Singer.  If the shanks look the same, then all your machines are low shank.  But your best and safest bet is to take the model # of your machine and the all purpose foot to a sewing machine dealer.  They can look up your machine and tell you which walking foot to buy.  Some models require you to buy a specific walking foot instead of a generic one.

[leighi123]

I got one! 

But It doesnt seem to actually 'walk'... the parts move like they are supposed to when I poke it with my finger, but not actually sewing.  I looked up some youtube videos and it looks like mine is installed right, but doesnt move.   I dunno if its supposed to be like that or if Im doing something wrong.  I only tested on some random cotton fabric (nothing thick or anything) - does is only 'walk' on thicker stuff/for quilting?

[Think of Winter]

Are you sure it's on correctly?  MIne wasn't at first, so it didn't walk.  Mine has a lever that goes over the needle bar, so when the needle goes up and down, the walking mechanism works.  It should walk on any fabric.

[Carolinamidwife]

Yep, mine has that bar thing too and if it's not over the needle bar there is no walking going on.

[leighi123]

Originally Posted by Carolinamidwife 

Yep, mine has that bar thing too and if it's not over the needle bar there is no walking going on.

Thank you!!!! That was the problem, I didnt realize where the bar thingy belonged.  

I made a whole throw size quilt today and it worked great!