Presser feet are one of the most important pieces of sewing machine equipment. While the most basic sewing machines will only come with a standard presser foot, some of the more advanced models will include a wide variety of interchangeable feet.
While these little accessories can help you complete a wide variety of sewing tasks, relatively few beginners know what they do or which type of machine foot they should choose for a particular task.
We put together this guide to offer an overview of the various types of presser feet you will need for your sewing machine. We will explain what presser feet are, how they work, the differences between the different types, and where you can buy additional feet if your current machine comes with limited options.
Presser feet are important, but they do not have to be complicated. With any luck, this guide will have you exploring different options and trying out new presser feet on your next sewing project!
What Does the Presser Foot Actually Do?
In simple terms, the presser foot is a simple attachment used by sewing machines to hold the fabric down and flat while fed through the machine. To make clean stitches, the fabric you are working with must be held in place.
The older mechanical sewing machine models only used a single type of presser foot permanently mounted at the base of the needle bar, modern machines feature interchangeable presser feet. These different presser feet make it easier to work with specific types of material to complete various sewing tasks and stitches.
While it is possible to complete most sewing tasks with just a handful of different presser feet, specialized options can make your sewing machine a far more versatile piece of equipment.
Types of Sewing Machine Presser Feet
To give you an overview of the different options, we will now describe the main types of sewing machine presser feet you can choose from. If you have the following presser feet, you will have just about everything you need for the majority of basic sewing tasks:
All-Purpose Foot:
As the name suggests, the all-purpose presser foot is one of the most basic options. It is designed to be a go-to for all basic, forward-facing stitching. The sole of this type of foot is flat, which helps with control and allows fabrics to easily and smoothly pass over the feed dog.
Almost every sewing machine will come with at least one all-purpose presser foot.
Straight Foot:
The straight presser foot is fairly similar to an all-purpose foot, as it is also designed specifically for straight stitches. While it works well for any straight-line stitching, it does have quite a few limitations. For starters, if you try to perform any stitch other than a simple straight stitch, there is a good chance the result will be a broken or bent needle.
Aside from the fact that the straight presser foot is ideal for straight stitches, which is one of the most common stitches most people use, it also works well when working with heavier fabrics.
Buttonhole Foot:
Unsurprisingly, the buttonhole presser foot is designed for sewing buttonholes. Using this type of presser foot, you can easily make rectangular buttonholes with precision. These types of presser feet are available in a wide variety of sizes, making it easier to choose the correct foot for the specific buttonhole you are planning to create.
Most sewing machines come with a single buttonhole presser foot, which is typically enough for most hobbyists. If you are sewing garments daily, though, you can always invest in more precise buttonhole presser feet, so you can get the exact results you are looking for.
Button Foot:
Button presser feet differ from buttonhole presser feet because they are designed for different tasks. The button presser foot is rubber coated and open-toed, making it a useful accessory for attaching buttons to a piece of clothing.
Few sewing machines will come with a button presser foot, but they are worth investing in if you sew on enough buttons that doing so by hand is not practical.
Embroidery Foot:
These unique presser feet feature an open front, which completely exposes the needle to make the embroidery work more visible for the sewing machine operator.
They also feature a wedged indentation on the underside of the foot, which allows dense stitches to pass through without causing the machine to jam.
Zipper Foot:
Zipper presser feet are unique, as they often feature an adjustable screw to find the ideal placement for zipper attachment. They tend to be one of the narrowest types of presser feet, and they usually feature notches on either side of the foot, which allows for needle adjustability.
Rolled Hem Foot:
A rolled hem presser foot forces the fabric that is being worked on through a small tunnel at the front. This tunnel curls the fabric over in a way that it becomes perfectly folded before it gets stitched. They are ideal for stitching narrow, folded hems; however, they rarely come packaged with sewing machines, unless you have purchased a high-end model.
Zig-Zag Foot:
Zig-zag presser feet are much wider than standard straight stitch presser feet. Their wider opening accommodates zig-zag stitches of all widths. You can also use them for straight stitches, which is why some people will almost use a zig-zag presser foot like an all-purpose presser foot that they can leave attached for all sorts of different sewing tasks.
What Should You Do if You Need More Presser Feet?
One of the best things about presser feet is they are quite affordable. If your sewing machine only included the basics, you can purchase a presser foot set at a reasonable price.
Given how little they cost, how useful they are, and how susceptible they are to breaking, it is never a bad idea to invest in a full set.
Most sewing machine presser feet are installed using a simple ‘snap-on or ‘clip-on’ attachment, so it is fairly easy to find a set that will be compatible with your specific machine.
The ANYQOO – Professional Domestic Sewing Machine Presser Foot Set is a great option for those looking for a complete collection of high-quality presser feet. Best of all, the 30 presser feet included in this set are compatible with a wide range of sewing machine brands.
These presser feet work with Singer, Brother, Janome, and Kenmore sewing machines and many other types of low-shank domestic sewing machines. They should not be used with commercial sewing machines or mini sewing machines, but if you own a basic domestic sewing machine, there is a good chance these presser feet will work.
For a more affordable option, the Windman – 11 Piece Presser Feet Set offers reasonable quality and is compatible with most types of home sewing machines.
