When you begin to sew and stitch whether you’re new to sewing or a seasoned sewist you want to master a particular technique and sewing machine presser feet are indispensable tools to sew in a particular style using a technique perfectly.

 In other words, from simple straight stitching using a straight stitch foot to intricate and accurate patchwork using a quarter-inch seam foot or embroidery with an embroidery foot, these sewing machine accessories can prove to be a holy grail for you and your business. This article is going to be your sewing machine presser foot guide and will help you choose the right sewing feet that you’ve been searching for.

There are many different types of sewing machine feet so let’s begin with the most essential & popular Bernina presser feet-

 

Table of Contents 

The 1/4" Inch Sewing/Quilting Foot (Bernina #37) - Perfect for precise 1/4" seams in quilting and patchwork. 
  1. The Blind stitch Hemmer Foot (Bernina #5)-  Ideal for sewing blind hems with a professional finish. 
  2. The Free-motion Embroidery Foot (Bernina #24/24D) - Versatile for embroidery, quilting, and decorative stitching. 
  3. The Edgestitch Foot (Bernina #10/10D)-  Achieve clean, precise topstitching and trims. 
  4. The Roll and Shell Hemmer Foot (Bernina #68) - Creates neatly rolled hems for lightweight fabrics. 
  5. The Walking Foot (Bernina #50/50D/50E)-  Ideal for sewing multiple layers and heavy fabrics. 
  6. The Zipper Presser Foot (Bernina #4/4D) -  Designed for precise zipper insertion. 
  7. The Overlock Presser Foot (Bernina #2/2A/2A-D) - Perfect for sewing clean overlock edges and preventing fraying. 
  8. The Buttonhole Foot (Bernina #3/3A/3B) - Creates perfectly sized buttonholes automatically.
  9. The Binder Attachment (Bernina #87/88) - Ideal for applying professional bindings to garments and quilts.
  10. The Binder Attachment (Bernina #95 for Bernina #87/88) - Ideal for applying professional bindings to garments and quilts.

 

1. The 1/4" Inch Sewing/Quilting Foot (Bernina #37)

 

A quarter-inch presser foot can be attached to your sewing machine and it will seamlessly and precisely give ¼ seams so whether you’re quilting or doing patchwork the Bernina 1/4" Patchwork Foot (#37) is exactly what you need.

Consistent seams make it simple to quilt blocks without distortions or misalignment. Regardless of your speed, you will always get perfect quarter-inch seams. This foot is ideal for sewing home decor, apparel like tops, bags, or toys such as teddy bears.  Wherever your creative process goes, if you have this foot attached to your machine, you can forget the struggle of measuring and marking seams and other technicalities. 



 2.  The Blind Stitch Hemmer Foot (Bernina #5)

 

 A blind hem stitch is an essential detail and can be a time-consuming task, this sewing machine hemmer foot is specially designed for sewing hem bottoms. Let’s first understand how to use a blind hem foot, you’ll see that this foot has a gap in the middle, and the right foot is wider than the left. The left side is slightly taller because, when properly folded, there will be three layers of fabric, two layers of garment fabric and one layer for the hem, but the right side will only have one layer of the hem. Fold the hem under and back onto the right side of the garment.

 

On your sewing machine, select the blind hem stitch and set the foot so that the right side is directly against the fabric fold. The right side of the foot will guide you as you sew.

Using the Bernina Blind stitch Hemming Foot, you can sew blind hems with a sewing machine without visible stitching with minimal effort.

 

3. The Free-motion Embroidery Foot (Bernina #24/24D)

A normal presser foot only provides for a predetermined path for your fabric under the needle, however, an embroidery presser foot, also known as a darning foot, can be used for a variety of jobs ranging from free-motion stitching, quilting, and darning to artistic embellishments. 

 

 Bernina Free-motion Embroidery Foot (#24/24D) is a versatile embroidery presser foot that gets it all done, whether you’re fixing a worn-out seam, or a tear in your garment this versatile foot lets you darn fabric with precision in all directions giving you total control. So, create all kinds of designs, patterns and textures whatever you can imagine, quilt blankets, darn your garment or add decorative stitches, delicate lacework and motifs.

And it doesn't stop there. Whether you like stippling, meandering, or intricate thread painting, the Free-motion Foot allows you to freely move the fabric under the needle, resulting in perfectly quilted textures that give depth and richness to your designs.

 

 4.  The Edgestitch Foot (Bernina #10/10D)

Whether you're hemming a garment, topstitching a jacket, or adding ornamental trims to a cushion an edging presser foot is going to help you create precise, evenly spaced stitches along the edge of fabric or seams. It's a simple yet effective approach to add structure, clarity, and professional-looking finishing to your sewing projects.

The Bernina Edgestitch Foot (#10/10D) comes with a built-in guide that keeps your stitches perfectly straight and parallel to the fabric edge, even on curves and corners, allowing you to add exquisite finishing details such as topstitching and attaching trims. Whether you're adding beautiful embellishments to clothes with lace, ribbon, or piping, the Edgestitch Foot provides the stability and control you need to execute your ideas correctly. It's ideal for quilting, appliqué, and other fabric crafts where precision is important using a sewing machine

 

 5. Roll and Shell Hemmer Foot (Bernina #68)

 

 

A rolled hem foot is perfect for sewing professional hems on lightweight fabrics like silk, chiffon, or cotton. If you've been hemming the traditional way this rolled hem foot will give you a quicker, cleaner finish, The rolled hem foot comes in different sizes (typically 3mm, 4mm, and 6mm), each designed for various hem widths. Choosing the right size is important based on the fabric. The foot has a funnel that folds the fabric edge while stitching, creating a neat rolled hem.

To use it, start by finger-pressing the fabric edge into place. Then, place the fabric under the foot and sew a few stitches. Lift the presser foot, pull the fabric into the funnel, and carefully guide it through with an awl or tweezers. The key here is making sure the fabric is properly aligned within the foot's funnel, as improper alignment can lead to uneven hems.

Once you've mastered the basic hem, you may try with fancy stitches like the blind hem stitch to create a scalloped edge.

 

6. The Walking Foot (Bernina #50/50D/50E)

 




A walking sewing machine feet is designed to sew multiple layers of fabric; these heavy-duty presser feet tackle even the most challenging fabric layers with ease and precision without the slightest hint of unevenness or puckering. 

Sewing with the Walking Foot is not rocket science, its precise feeding mechanism makes aligning plaid or striped fabrics simple with perfectly matched seams and patterns without the frustration of shifting or misalignment.

So, a sewing machine walking foot attachment is a go-to sewing machine accessory for a wide range of sewing tasks, including quilting, sewing bulky fabrics such as denim, canvas, and matching plaids, stitching straight lines, gentle curves, or intricate designs with stability and control with professional-quality results every time. Not just this, it also serves as an upholstery materials sewing machine walking foot for tough materials.




7. The Zipper Presser Foot (Bernina #4/4D)




This is how the Bernina Zipper Foot looks; it comes in #4 and #4D varieties and is a zipper insertion expert. The sewing machine Zipper presser Foot, with its compact profile and side-to-side needle position, lets you precisely stitch close to the zipper teeth, resulting in a professional-looking finish. 

Now, how to use zipper feet for centred zippers. The Zipper Foot's adjustable location allows you to sew close to the zipper teeth while preserving an even seam allowance on both sides—an important element for establishing symmetry and balance in your garment. In contrast, when it comes to invisible zippers, this sewing machine foot for Zipper has a special construction that allows the needle to move smoothly with the zipper coil, making the closure hide within the fabric for a continuous effect.

The Bernina Zipper Foot isn't just for zippers. Its adaptability extends to other sewing chores including piping, cording, and edge stitching. So, whether you're sewing zippers into clothing, cushions or bags, the Bernina Zipper attachment is all you need.

 

 

 8. The Overlock Presser Foot (Bernina #2/2A/2A-D)

 

The Bernina Overlock Foot is a versatile sewing machine accessory available in numerous sizes, including #2, #2A, and #2A-D. With a specifically designed guide, this foot allows you to sew along the edge of your cloth while reducing excess material and enclosing raw edges with a zigzag or overlock stitch. Whether you're working with delicate chiffon, robust denim, or elastic knits, the Overlock Foot keeps your seams clean and durable with little effort on your side.
So, whether you're sewing sportswear, lingerie, and other clothing, or hemming, edge stitching, and attaching elastic that requires flexibility due to fabric stretching or puckering, this foot can help you achieve flawless results.

 

 

9. The Buttonhole Foot (Bernina #3/3A/3B)

The Bernina Buttonhole Foot (#3/3A/3B) creates correctly sized buttonholes using its automatic buttonhole mechanism. This presser foot automatically changes the length of the buttonhole based on the size of the button, ensuring a precise stitch every time. Not only that, but its versatility makes it ideal for sewing consistent buttonholes on a variety of textiles, from strong denim to lightweight cotton, and everything in between.

Its changeable settings let you change the length, width, and density of your stitches, allowing you the creative freedom to try out numerous buttonhole patterns and finishes.


 


10. The Binder Attachment (#95 for Bernina #87/88)

 

The Bernina Binder Attachment (#95 for Bernina #87/88) is fantastic for creating flawless bindings on your garments, quilts, and home décor items. This attachment produces flawless results with less effort, whether you're finishing raw edges on garments, attaching bindings to quilt edges, or adding lovely trims to home decor items. It's suitable for cotton, silk, or upholstery fabrics.


So, dare to experiment, invest in these useful tools, and take your sewing experience to the next level. Happy sewing!

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