The Ultimate Presser Foot Guide (Zipper, Walking, Rolled Hem, and More)

Presser Foot Guide: Quick Reference

A presser foot is an essential part of your sewing machine, but with so many different types available, it can get overwhelming quickly. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the most common sewing machine feet, what each one is used for, and how to choose the right one for your sewing projects.

What is a sewing machine foot?

A presser foot is the small attachment on your sewing machine that holds your fabric flat and steady as you sew. It sits right under the needle and clips or screws onto the machine.

What does a presser foot do?

A presser foot keeps your fabric steady and evenly fed through the machine while you sew. Without it, your fabric would shift around and your stitches would come out uneven.

Fun fact: Isaac Singer's 1851 machine included a presser foot to keep fabric from lifting with the needle. It's still doing the same job today! (Moah).

Why are there so many different presser feet?

Different sewing tasks need different kinds of support, so each foot is shaped for a specific job. 

A zipper foot, for example, is built differently than a buttonhole foot because they're doing completely different things.

Sewing machine presser foot compatibility

Not every presser foot works with every sewing machine. Feet are made to match specific shank types and brands, so it's important to check compatibility before you buy.

How to know which presser feet fit your sewing machine

Check your machine's manual or the manufacturer's website to find your shank type and model number. 

Once you know those details, you can search for feet labeled as compatible with your specific machine.

Related article: How to Thread a Sewing Machine at Home

Low shank vs. high shank presser feet

Low shank and high shank refer to the distance between the base of the presser foot and the screw that holds it in place. 

Low shank machines are more common among home sewers, while high shank machines are often industrial or heavy-duty models.

Slant shank presser feet

Slant shank presser feet are designed for machines where the needle sits at an angle instead of straight up and down. 

These feet won't fit low or high shank machines, so it's important to know if your machine uses this type.

How to determine your sewing machine’s shank type

Look at your machine's manual, or measure the distance from the needle clamp to the base of the current presser foot. 

You can also search your machine's model number online to find this specification listed by the manufacturer.

Snap-on vs. Screw-on presser feet

Snap-on feet click into place and pop off with a simple lever, making them quick to switch out. 

Screw-on feet attach with a small screw, which takes a bit more time but keeps the foot firmly secured.

The different types of presser feet

Straight stitch foot

What is a straight stitch foot?

A straight stitch foot is a presser foot with a small, round hole made specifically for sewing straight stitches.

How to use a straight stitch foot

Attach the straight stitch foot to your machine, set your stitch to straight stitch, and sew as you normally would for clean, precise seams.

When should you use a straight stitch foot?

Use a straight stitch foot when you're sewing straight seams on lightweight or delicate fabrics that need extra support.

Straight stitch foot vs. standard presser foot

A straight stitch foot has a small round hole for extra fabric support, while a standard presser foot has a wider opening to allow for different stitch widths.

Related article: How to Use a Basting Stitch in Sewing

Walking foot

What is a walking foot?

A walking foot is a presser foot that has its own set of feed teeth to help move both the top and bottom layers of fabric evenly.

How does a walking foot work?

A walking foot grips the top layer of fabric and moves it at the same pace as the machine's feed dogs move the bottom layer, keeping everything aligned.

When should you use a walking foot?

Use a walking foot when sewing multiple layers of fabric, quilting, or working with fabrics that tend to slip or stretch.

Expert tip: Before you buy a walking foot, check whether your machine already has one built in. Some higher-end models come with a built-in walking foot system, often called "dual feed" or "even feed," so you might not need a separate foot at all!

Walking foot vs. regular presser foot

A walking foot moves fabric layers together evenly, while a regular presser foot only holds fabric in place without helping to feed it.

Zipper foot

What is a zipper foot?

A zipper foot is a narrow presser foot that lets you sew close to the teeth of a zipper.

Fun fact: The word "zipper" didn't exist until 1923, when B.F. Goodrich used the new fastener on rubber boots and named it after the "zip" sound it made when closed (YKK).

How to use a zipper foot

Attach the zipper foot, position your zipper along the seam, and stitch close to the zipper teeth using the foot's narrow edge as your guide.

Regular zipper foot vs. adjustable zipper foot

A regular zipper foot has a fixed position, while an adjustable zipper foot can shift side to side so you can stitch closer to either side of the zipper.

When to use a zipper foot

Use a zipper foot any time you're installing a zipper into a garment or project.

Invisible zipper foot

What is an invisible zipper foot?

An invisible zipper foot is a special foot with two grooves that help you sew invisible zippers so the teeth stay hidden inside the seam.

How to use an invisible zipper foot

Place the zipper coil into one of the foot's grooves and stitch as close to the coil as possible to keep the zipper hidden.

Invisible zipper foot vs. regular zipper foot

An invisible zipper foot has grooves designed to hide the zipper coil, while a regular zipper foot is meant for zippers that show on the outside of the garment.

Gathering foot

What is a gathering foot?

A gathering foot is a presser foot that gathers fabric automatically as you sew, saving you from gathering it by hand first.

How to use a gathering foot

Attach the gathering foot, feed your fabric through as you stitch, and the foot will gather it for you along the seam.

How to control the amount of gathering

Adjust your stitch length and tension settings to control how tightly or loosely your fabric gathers.

Gathering foot vs. basting for gathers

A gathering foot gathers fabric in one step as you sew, while basting for gathers requires sewing loose stitches first and then pulling the threads to create gathers by hand.

Ruffler foot

What is a ruffler foot?

A ruffler foot is a presser foot that folds and gathers fabric into even ruffles or pleats as you sew.

How does a ruffler foot work?

A ruffler foot uses a small blade that pushes fabric into folds at set intervals as it moves through the machine.

How to use a ruffler foot

Attach the ruffler foot, adjust the settings for the fold depth and spacing you want, and feed your fabric through as you stitch.

Ruffler foot vs. gathering foot

A ruffler foot creates deeper, more structured pleats, while a gathering foot creates softer, looser gathers.

When should you use a ruffler foot?

Use a ruffler foot when you want even, consistent ruffles or pleats without gathering fabric by hand.

Buttonhole foot

What is a buttonhole foot?

A buttonhole foot is a presser foot designed to help you sew evenly sized buttonholes.

How to use a buttonhole foot

Attach the buttonhole foot, select your buttonhole stitch, and let the foot guide your machine through the buttonhole shape.

Expert tip: Buttonholes can be tricky at first, even with a buttonhole foot. Always test on a scrap of the same fabric first, so you can fix your settings before stitching on your actual project!

Automatic vs. manual buttonhole feet

An automatic buttonhole foot sews the entire buttonhole in one step, while a manual buttonhole foot requires you to stitch each side separately.

Rolled hem foot

What is a rolled hem foot?

A rolled hem foot is a presser foot that rolls fabric edges under as you sew, creating a narrow, finished hem.

How to use a rolled hem foot

Feed the fabric edge into the foot's curled opening and let it roll the fabric under as you stitch.

Related article: How to Hem Pants and Clothes Quickly at Home

What fabrics work best with a rolled hem foot?

Lightweight fabrics like cotton, chiffon, and voile work best with a rolled hem foot.

Blind hem foot

What is a blind hem foot?

A blind hem foot is a presser foot that helps you sew a hem so the stitches stay mostly hidden on the outside of the fabric.

How to use a blind hem foot

Fold your fabric according to blind hem instructions, guide the fold along the foot's built-in guide, and stitch using a blind hem stitch.

When should you use a blind hem foot?

Use a blind hem foot when you want a hem that looks clean and stitch-free from the outside.

Blind hem foot vs. rolled hem foot

A blind hem foot creates a hidden-stitch hem, while a rolled hem foot creates a small, rolled edge with visible stitching.

Overcasting foot

What is an overcasting foot?

An overcasting foot is a presser foot that helps prevent fabric edges from fraying by guiding thread over the raw edge as you sew.

How to use an overcasting foot

Attach the overcasting foot, line up your fabric edge with the foot's guide, and stitch along the edge using an overcast stitch.

Overcasting foot vs. serger

An overcasting foot finishes edges using your regular sewing machine, while a serger is a separate machine built specifically for edge finishing and trimming.

Overcasting foot vs. overedge foot

An overcasting foot and an overedge foot both finish raw edges, but they may differ slightly depending on your machine brand and the specific stitch they're designed for.

When should you use an overcasting foot?

Use an overcasting foot any time you want to prevent fabric edges from fraying.

Free motion foot

What is a free motion foot?

A free motion foot is a presser foot that lets you move fabric freely in any direction as you sew.

How to use a free motion foot

Lower your machine's feed dogs, attach the free motion foot, and guide the fabric by hand as you stitch.

Free motion quilting vs. free motion embroidery

Free motion quilting stitches through multiple layers of fabric and batting, while free motion embroidery stitches decorative designs onto a single layer of fabric.

When should you use a free motion foot?

Use a free motion foot when you want to sew curves, designs, or quilting patterns without turning the fabric.

Embroidery foot

What is an embroidery foot?

An embroidery foot is a presser foot designed to give you a clear view of your stitching while allowing fabric to move smoothly underneath.

How to use an embroidery foot

Attach the embroidery foot, hoop your fabric if needed, and stitch your design at a slow, even pace.

Embroidery foot vs. free motion foot

An embroidery foot is often used with a machine's built-in embroidery designs, while a free motion foot is used for hand-guided stitching without a set pattern.

Presser foot pressure explained

What is presser foot pressure?

Presser foot pressure is how firmly the presser foot pushes down on your fabric while you sew. Most machines let you adjust this setting depending on the fabric you're working with.

When should you adjust presser foot pressure?

Adjust presser foot pressure when you switch to a fabric that's noticeably thicker, thinner, or more delicate than what you were sewing before. 

This helps keep your stitches even and prevents fabric from shifting or puckering.

How presser foot pressure affects different fabrics

Too much pressure can flatten or stretch delicate fabrics, while too little pressure can cause thicker fabrics to shift unevenly as you sew. 

Adjusting the pressure to match your fabric helps you get smoother, more consistent stitches.

Which presser foot should you use?

Best presser foot for straight-line sewing

A straight stitch foot is the best choice for straight-line sewing since its small hole gives your fabric extra support.

Best presser foot for zippers

A zipper foot works best for standard zippers since it lets you stitch close to the teeth, while an invisible zipper foot works best when you want the zipper coil hidden inside the seam.

Best presser foot for gathers and ruffles

A gathering foot works best for soft, even gathers created automatically as you sew, while a ruffler foot works best for deeper, more structured ruffles or pleats.

Best presser foot for buttonholes

A buttonhole foot is the best choice for buttonholes since it helps guide your machine through an even, consistent shape.

Best presser foot for hems

A rolled hem foot works best for narrow, rolled edges, while a blind hem foot works best when you want your stitches hidden on the outside of the fabric.

Best presser foot for finishing raw edges

An overcasting foot is the best choice for finishing raw edges since it helps prevent fraying as you stitch.

Best presser foot for quilting

A walking foot is the best choice for quilting since it helps move multiple fabric layers evenly together.

Best presser foot for embroidery

An embroidery foot is the best choice for embroidery since it gives you a clear view of your stitching as the design forms.

How to choose the right presser foot

Choose a presser foot based on the specific task you're doing, since each foot is designed to support a different type of stitch or technique. 

Checking your machine's manual can also help you find feet that are compatible with your model.

The best presser feet for beginners

A straight stitch foot, zipper foot, and buttonhole foot are great starting points for beginners since they cover some of the most common sewing tasks. 

As you take on new projects, you can add more specialized feet to your collection.

Related article: 30+ Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners

Specialty presser feet you can add later

Feet like the ruffler, free motion, and embroidery foot are great additions once you're ready to try more advanced techniques. 

You don't need them right away, but they can open up new creative possibilities down the road.

FAQ

Are presser feet universal?

No, presser feet are not universal since they need to match your machine's specific shank type and brand.

How do I know which presser foot fits my sewing machine?

Check your machine's manual or model number to find your shank type, then look for presser feet labeled as compatible with that type.

Can I use a snap-on presser foot on any sewing machine?

No, a snap-on presser foot only works on machines with a snap-on attachment system, so you'll need to check your machine's compatibility first.

What presser foot should a beginner buy first?

A straight stitch foot usually comes with your machine and will likely be the one you use most, but a zipper foot is a great next addition since it's not always included.

Can a walking foot be used for regular sewing?

Yes, a walking foot can be used for regular sewing, though it's most helpful when working with multiple layers or slippery fabrics.

Is an overcasting foot the same as a serger?

No, an overcasting foot is not the same as a serger since it attaches to your regular sewing machine instead of being a separate machine.

Do you need to change thread tension for different presser feet?

Sometimes, since certain feet and techniques may require a tension adjustment to get the best results.

How many presser feet do you really need?

It depends on your projects, but a handful of basic feet can cover most everyday sewing needs.