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Sewing foot for tucks. Use of double needles, satin stitch feet, raised pintuck feet.a

Have you used twin needles on your sewing machine yet? Now you will find out how many decorative and other possibilities its use in creating clothes provides.

To use double needles you need:

  • front threading
  • the presence of a zigzag stitch in a sewing machine.
  • the distance between the needles should not exceed the maximum zigzag width of your machine!

    Preparatory operations.

  • Install a double needle on your machine, just like a regular single needle.

    If your machine has two spool holders, install the spools so that one spool thread unwinds clockwise and the other counterclockwise. This will prevent the threads from getting tangled when sewing.

  • Next, both threads are threaded along the thread guides in the same way, both threads go side by side and only before threading into the needles do the threads diverge along different guides: one thread on the left, the other on the right.

    If you don't have two thread guides, insert one thread into the thread guide and leave the other loose.

  • Thread the threads into the corresponding needles. The machine is ready to sew. I advise you to sew at minimum speed, this will also help prevent threads from tangling.

    Decorative stitches (embroidery)
    Does your machine have decorative stitches? Try using twin needles to embellish clothing with these stitches.

    The double needle allows you to embroider two parallel designs at the same time. You can thread the upper threads in different colors.

    If you use narrow needles 1.8 - 2.5 mm, the stitch patterns will overlap each other, creating a shadow effect.

    For decorative stitches, use a needle size smaller than the maximum zigzag width on your machine!

    Sew on the braid
    Place a needle slightly smaller than the width of the braid into the needle holder and attach the satin stitch foot to the machine. This foot has a wide groove on the sole.

    Set the machine controls to straight stitch and desired stitch length. Loosen the upper thread tension. Thread the ribbon through the needle hole of the foot (or under the foot).

    Place the fabric under the foot, lower the needles into the fabric and sew. The braid is attached to the fabric on both sides at the same time.

    Ruffles with elastic
    Wind a thin sewing elastic band (like Hungarian) onto the bobbin. The upper threads must match the fabric and match the color.

    Set the stitch length to 2-2.5 mm and sew with a straight stitch.

    An elastic band tucked into the shuttle mechanism will create uniform gathers on thin fabric. Admire how the use of a similar technique decorated the blouse.

    Relief tucks on fabric
    For the following embellishments you will need a special foot for raised tucks. The foot has grooves on the sole into which the fabric is pulled during sewing, resulting in a raised fold.

    Different pleat sizes require different presser feet. The wider and deeper the grooves, the more voluminous the relief can be obtained. Many parallel grooves on the foot allow you to lay reliefs that are even relative to each other.

    Reliefs on fleece
    How much time do you spend knitting a sweater? Try knitting a sweater in one day using a double needle. Believe me, it's very simple and fast!

    For such reliefs as in the photo, you will need fleece and a double needle of at least 5 mm. Such reliefs will look beautiful on velvet.

    Reliefs with cord
    To sew in the cord, use a double needle of such a width (the distance between the needles) that the cord passes freely between the needles.

    Install any foot suitable for sewing in cord: a foot for sewing on beads or a foot for large embossed tucks.

  • Using a chalk or disappearing marker, draw a straight or curly line on the fabric where you want to add cord trim.
  • Pin the end of the cord to the beginning of the line on the wrong side of the fabric.
  • Place the fabric with the cord under the foot, make sure that the cord fits exactly between the needles and start sewing with a straight stitch following the line drawn on the fabric.

    This is what the “reliefs with cord” trim on a blouse looks like. And these figured reliefs are made on transparent fabric with a backing of cords in a contrasting color.

    Sewing knitwear
    To sew knitwear, use special needles for sewing knitwear with a width of 4-5 mm.

    In the photo, the hem was made with a 4 mm needle. On the front side you can see a double straight stitch, on the back side there is a zigzag stitch, which allows the knitted fabric to stretch. This stitch imitates sewing on an overlocker.

  • Set your machine to the straight stitch and desired stitch length.
  • Fold the edge of the knitted product, lay a stitch along the front side at the same distance from the fold.
  • Carefully trim the allowance close to the zigzag.

    To always have a cheat sheet at hand, you can download or print convenient tables with recommendations for using double needles.

    Stitch samples using a double needle were made on a sewing machine Janome typewriter My Excel 23X model. This machine has a maximum zigzag width of 6.5 mm.

    The preparation of this article was based on materials from the sites timmelfabrics.com, taunton.com.

    Article prepared by Lyudmila Buravtsova (Lucy)

Today, any sewing machine comes with a whole set of presser feet. And sometimes some people are perplexed by their purpose. But if you understand what each of them is for, then sewing will turn out to be more interesting for you, and some operations will be less routine.

In addition to the usual foot, the set includes the following feet, or, if necessary, you can purchase the ones you need:

Teflon foot

Designed for sewing products from genuine leather, leatherette and coated fabrics. It doesn't stick when you sew vinyl, plastic, leather or faux leather. You can also use a Teflon foot for regular sewing or when making buttonholes on plastic or leather material.

Roller foot

Instead of a Teflon foot, you can use a roller foot, which moves the fabric forward using torque. The foot has a rotating roller that allows you to roll fabric of any structure under it, be it 100% leather, or felt, or corduroy. When sewing with this foot, the stitches are of uniform length. The foot is very good at going through any thickening of the fabric.

Which of these two feet to choose will be determined by the selected fabric. The roller foot also copes well with heavy materials, some types of raincoat and jacket fabrics.

Universal zipper foot

You can sew a zipper fastener using a regular foot designed for straight stitching or zigzag stitching. But you can sew a zipper efficiently and accurately, with a stitch running next to the “teeth”, only using a special foot. It can be one-sided, two-sided and narrow. The main task is to help the needle make an even seam at the same distance from the edge of the zipper without turning the product.

Concealed zipper foot

But you can sew a hidden zipper only with the help of a “secret foot”, which has two grooves on the sole. A regular foot or even a zipper foot will not work for this. The foot has special grooves in which the teeth of the fastener are in a fixed position, which allows you to lay a straight stitch close to the fastener. As a result, the hidden “zipper” is easily, quickly and accurately attached to the product.

Edge sewing foot

Sometimes it is very difficult to lay an even finishing stitch along the edge of a product. Using an edge sewing foot will make this task easy.

Blind hem foot

Designed for hemming the edges of dresses and trousers that require special care using a blind stitch. The blind stitch foot is suitable for discreet hemming of items made from thick and medium-weight materials. Now there is no need to hem the product manually.

Cord sewing foot

You can beautifully decorate a product with a cord using this foot. In this case, depending on the thickness of the cord, you can sew one, two or three cords at the same time. The foot has guides that lay the cord along the fabric, and the needle stitches evenly along its surface. The foot has special holes for cords, decorative threads and is intended for decorating products using various decorative stitches.

Foot for sewing on bead thread

Using this foot, you can carefully and quickly sew beads onto a product and decorate it.

Foot for sewing on braid (rubber bands, sequins)

The foot is used for sewing braid, ribbons, piping and other decorative elements up to 5mm wide; it can also be used for sewing on elastic. Perfect for decorating clothes with various elements.

Button sewing foot

The button sewing foot holds the button while it is sewn on.

Buttonhole foot

Loops can be made quickly and accurately only on a sewing machine that comes with a special foot.
A buttonhole on a sewing machine can be sewn in automatic, semi-automatic and manual mode. In order not to control the length of the loop, you need to install a button in the presser foot and do not forget to pull down the vertical lever for switching the speed of the machine down all the way.

Bias binding foot

The edging foot is used to finish edges with bias tape in one step. The snail on its foot wraps a strip of fabric and guides it in front of the needle. Can be used for zigzag, decorative stitches or regular straight stitches.

Gathering foot

This foot is used to make ruffles and flounces. The foot is a small double plate with a slot over the entire surface. The material for gathering is placed under the foot, and the fabric to which the gathering will be attached is placed in the slot. The foot can perform three functions at once: gather, process the edge and sew the flounce to another fabric.

Pintuck foot

Tucks are often used to decorate clothing and home textiles. The special tuck foot has grooves into which the fabric is pulled during sewing, resulting in a raised fold. Pintucks are formed when sewing with a double needle. There are feet for sewing two, three and five tucks, evenly spaced from each other. Before work, you need to select the stitch length and put a double needle on the machine. A double needle sews the tuck on both sides with parallel stitches.

Hemming foot

Despite the fact that processing the bottom of products with a hem seam with closed cut This is a fairly simple sewing procedure, but it still requires a lot of effort. Marking, ironing, temporary hand stitching, etc. and so on. There is a way to get rid of this routine, use a special sewing machine foot - a foot for hemming the edges of products. (rolling foot, hem foot, hem hem foot, hem foot, hem foot, hem, hem foot, hem foot)

Knitting foot

A rubber pad attached to the foot tensions and holds the fabric under the needle, preventing it from sagging and getting caught between the teeth of the lower conveyor. And this is the main problem that arises when sewing thin fabrics and knitwear. The knitted foot does an excellent job with it, forming an even stitch without any extra effort.

Overlock foot

The special device of the overcasting foot includes the presence of an additional pin, which is used to sew along the edge of the fabric being overcast. When sewing, the fabric does not shrink or curl. When overcasting with special overlock stitches, the guides of the overlock foot will help you get an even, correct stitch along the edge of the fabric, and the material will feed smoothly without falling to the side. Without such an overlock foot, overcast the edges with a simple zigzag or some other specialized overlock stitch, be sure to leave a small allowance along the edge, which does not allow the fabric to tighten during overcasting. This allowance is then trimmed with scissors.

Of course, the modification of the feet depends on the model of the machine for which it is intended, and you need to choose based on this. One and the same foot may differ in color, material (plastic, iron, Teflon, etc.), additional elements (screws, springs, etc.). When choosing, be sure to read the instructions or consult with the seller, all this will help you in this difficult matter.

Presser feet for a sewing machine are the main components without which the sewing process is impossible. Standard feet for sewing machines - universal, straight-stitch, for sewing in a zipper, for sewing a buttonhole. In addition to them, there are many special feet, for example, a foot for sewing in a hidden zipper, for sewing on buttons, for satin stitches, for sewing on a cord, for making a hidden seam, for darning, embroidery and many others.

: video master class

By the way, many people don’t even use them, although they come with the machine. And all these paws lie in special compartments for storing accessories for years. But each of them is a little helper that can not only facilitate the sewing process, but also speed up and make more high-quality execution individual operations. For example, sewing leather and suede, knitwear and jeans, silk and chiffon using special presser feet will be a convenient and easy process.

A description of how to use standard presser feet is in the instructions for your sewing machine. But, as a rule, it is quite meager, and there is no additional accessories at all.

Types of sewing machine feet

Gathering foot


With its help, you can make a gathered stitch on a machine and save time. The density of the gathering is regulated by the tension of the upper thread and the width of the stitch. With a wider stitch, the gathering is tighter. Thin fabric shrinks more, thick and dense fabric shrinks less.

To get the expected result when performing this operation, first try gathering on a piece of fabric from which you are going to sew the product. Cut a piece of a certain length and see how long the assembly turns out to be. This way you can calculate the entire length of the frill.

Upper feed or walking foot



allows you to sew several layers of fabric at the same time without moving them. Excellent for stitching items. This foot is used for patchwork and quilting.

In some models, the upper transport is already built into the sewing machine.

Teflon foot


Designed for sewing products made of genuine leather, artificial leather and coated fabrics. Instead of a Teflon foot, you can use a roller foot, which moves the fabric forward using torque. The fabric you choose will tell you which of these two feet you prefer. The roller foot also copes well with heavy materials, some types of raincoat and jacket fabrics.

Today, there are combined models on sale - a Teflon foot with a roller.

Universal zipper foot


In addition to its main task, it can be used to finish a product with edging. If the edging is narrow, then you need to sew it on like a zipper. If wide, close to the edge.

Snail foot for sewing bias tape


Eliminates the process of manually basting the binding and significantly speeds up the process. To work with it, just cut a strip of fabric along the bias of the required width, tuck it into the foot and you can sew. It turns out neat and beautiful.

The foot for sewing bias tape is suitable for both ready-made and unfolded tape. The finished binding is inserted higher, through the gap in the “snail”. And the unfolded one goes into the main hole of the foot.
If there are several holes in the “snail” and they are of different sizes, then using this foot you can sew on bindings of various widths. These holes also make it easier to move the bias tape forward.

: video master class

Knitting foot



useful for those who do not have an overlocker. It makes it easier to work with such sewing knots as darts, hems and sleeves, and neck stitching on knitwear.

Universal foot for sewing bias tape


Suitable for sewing on any bias tape, any width - the screw on the foot allows you to set the required width. The foot is easy to use as it is easily attached to the machine and also easily removed. And the result exceeds all expectations.

Pintuck foot


Provides an ideal process - the speed of the operation increases, quality improves, labor costs decrease, tucks are even and at the same distance from each other. Before starting work, mark the line of the first stitch. To make the tucks more textured and convex, place a special plastic tongue under the fabric (they come in different sizes). Very narrow tucks, 1 mm wide, are made using a buttonhole thread.

Edge sewing foot


It will help to lay an even finishing stitch along the edge of the product.

The pintuck foot is one of the most popular sewing machine accessories. Using different presser feet you can create different seams. The final appearance of the seam and the finished product, its functionality and durability depend on the quality and functional potential of the feet.

Standard set of sewing feet

The modern sewing industry allows the use of a large number of presser feet and other accessories for machines. The question is whether a model with a large set of feet is appropriate, since you still need to be able to sew on it. For industrial complexes you need professional or semi-professional equipment, since you will have to work with tasks of varying degrees of complexity. But for small enterprise or home use, you can limit yourself to a standard machine with a standard set of sewing feet.

To attach the accessory to the car, you do not need to have any special skills. For this purpose, most models have a standardized holder. The equipment comes with several types of feet, which can be changed depending on your needs. You can also adjust the position of the presser foot. No more is needed to prepare the equipment for use.

The set of sewing feet provides three to five accessory options: a universal foot, for a zipper, for a zigzag stitch and a buttonhole (semi-automatic). In more expensive models from manufacturers Janome or Brother, the set includes 10-15 models of fixtures. To make it more convenient to use them, there is a special recess (compartment) in the machine itself where the paws are placed. If the standard set does not contain the required pair of paws, you can always purchase them. The only requirement is that both the presser foot and the machine must be of the same brand, otherwise the attachment will not be attached tightly enough.

A standard set of tuck feet consists of 3-5 models (photo: world-sewing-machines.ru)

The convenience of most modern machines is that you no longer need to remove the presser foot screw using a screwdriver during replacement. There is a special lever at the back of the foot for this purpose, which, when pressed, is detached from the sole of the foot. To fix the new one, just lower the presser foot rod into the sole socket. A characteristic click indicates the correctness of the movements, but it is better to play it safe and raise the presser foot lever up. If the sole is securely fastened, it will also rise up.

Types of feet for different seams

Zigzag. The most versatile foot as it allows you to make straight stitches and zigzag stitches. The accessory is suitable for most types of fabrics. Some housewives even prefer the zigzag nozzle instead of the standard one.


For sewing in a zipper. Such accessories can be used in two modes. The first allows you to sew fasteners into garments. In this case, you do not need to spend additional effort turning around at the bottom. The foot firmly presses the fabric, so there are no problems with the direction of the stitch (it can be constantly visually controlled). This foot is also convenient for sewing fabric on both sides. To do this, there are two recesses for the movement of the needle. So the accessory is relevant for working with edging. Moreover, the wide edge is stitched like a zipper, and the narrow edge is stitched closer to the edge of the product.

In addition to those listed above, significantly wider tabs are used to work with zippers. They may have different sizes and configurations of the front tissue collection zone.

The exception is the concealed zipper foot. If you try to stitch this part using a standard attachment, at some point the fabric will jam and may become damaged. The special Aurora pintuck foot is equipped with a recess for excess fabric, so this problem is not relevant.

For knitwear. This type fabric is considered capricious, since due to awkward movement it can become deformed. Most often, novice seamstresses suffer from this, since thread or fabric gets into the needle catch area. A special foot allows you to avoid this scenario with the help of an additional stop. For greater convenience, more expensive models have rubber or silicone pads. They make working with fabric a pleasure.

Paws for tucks: functions, varieties

For cords and tucks. Such accessories can be identified by special protrusions on the sole. The pintuck foot helps you gather the fabric smoothly. Different types attachments allow you to create tucks of different shapes. In addition to ease of use, this accessory allows you to implement a number of possibilities. This foot is designed for sewing and decorating cords, so ready product It turns out strong and creative.

Some foot models have recesses in the sole, and some have special holes through which cords are passed.


For hems. This foot should be in the arsenal of a seamstress who works with light, almost weightless materials. The most common practice is sewing silk products. Not every housewife can handle such delicate and capricious material, since the hem on the fabric should be minimal. Otherwise, the product will turn out to be too heavy and there will be no airy effect.

The attachment is designed to grip a small area of ​​fabric, while bending is done as carefully as possible.

With top conveyor. A distinctive feature of this device is the supply of material from above. But other serving methods are also available for her. To work with such a foot you need special skill. But if you master it, you can easily pinch several layers of fabric without moving them relative to each other.

Another advantage of the accessory is the ability to create stitches with the same distance. For this purpose, the feet are equipped with a stop that can be adjusted in the horizontal plane and used as a ruler.

For bias binding. Working with bias tape is one of the most difficult operations. To do this, the edges on both sides of the material should be as even as possible. The process is complicated by the fact that reverse side the edge is not visible. When working with a special foot, everything is much simpler. You can insert the binding, stretch the material in the foot and press the start pedal of the sewing machine. The seamstress's only task is to carefully pull the binding through the foot.

To create assemblies. Creating beautiful folds on fabric is a task for an experienced craftswoman. Not all budget cars have a special mechanism. Often these paws need to be purchased in addition, but they are completely worth it.

What sewing machine feet are really needed?

Not all housewives need a huge selection of paws in their everyday life. It is enough to limit ourselves to the following.

Before using a special tuck foot, you need to decide what it is for. If the machine is used occasionally, and you have to deal with standard seams and materials, there is no point in buying professional equipment. It is enough to limit yourself to an ordinary budget machine, which is equipped with the following types of feet: universal, overlock and for buttonholes. The first is designed to perform all the stitches of the sewing machine. The overlocker is used when overcasting materials to prevent them from fraying. It is usually needed when working with carpets, heavy fabrics, and when processing fabric for swimsuits. But it can also be used for decorative processing of the edges of cuffs or sleeves. A buttonhole foot is needed for working with trims and collars. Typically the machine operates in semi-automatic mode.

Characteristics of models

Different paw models have their own characteristics. Below are the most popular options.

Bernina foot 34 - for reverse stitches 030 770 72 00. This model is designed for creating working and decorative stitches. Its cost is approximately 1500-1600 rubles. The model is equipped with a transparent sole, thanks to which you can constantly monitor the sewing area. So accidental changes in stitch direction and damage to the material are excluded.

The foot is also designed for a variety of decorative stitches, during which the fabric moves back and forth. The only caveat is that the BERNINA Dual Feed system works exclusively in combination with D-type presser feet.

Pintuck foot Aurora AU-127. This model is equipped with five grooves that make it easier for the material to fall into a special recess and form a fold. If you work with this foot with a double needle, you can get stitched parallel pintucks that give the surface of the fabric a certain texture. According to reviews, double needles with an inter-needle distance of no more than 3 mm are best suited for this task. And to work with dense material, use a 4 mm double needle.

Another advantage of the presser foot is that it can be combined with sewing machines Bernina Bernette, Brother, Janome, Astralux, Aurora, Lapka, Pfaff, etc.

Brother pintuck foot F037N (XC1971-052). This model is most convenient for sewing women's and children's clothing with an abundance of details and decorative elements. It allows you to quickly sew pintucks with or without a cord. There can be five tucks in total. The average price is 900-1000 rubles.

Brother pintuck foot F058 (XC3272-152). This variety is designed for seven tucks. It is used for quick processing of pintucks with or without a cord. The only condition is that the sewing machine must have a horizontal hook. The average price is 900-1000 rubles.

Pintuck foot with guide for decorative stitches 9 mm Pfaff 820776-096. The main advantage of the model is the ability to create pintucks, while decorating the free space between them using decorative stitches up to 9 mm wide. Tucks are made at a distance of 5 and 11 mm from each other. The price ranges from 400 to 450 rubles.

Description of working with the foot

Most claws are easy to install and remove. The algorithm for working with them is as follows:

  1. Install the pintuck foot on the machine.
  2. Install a double needle.
  3. Select a straight stitch.
  4. Make the first pinch.
  5. Place the first pinch under the groove of the guide. Make another tuck. Automatically it will be located parallel to the first one.
  6. Make the required number of tucks.
  7. Remove the double needle and insert a regular one.
  8. Select a decorative stitch.
  9. Place a stabilizer under the main fabric.
  10. Place two pintucks in the grooves of the foot to the left and right of the needle so that between them you can make a decorative stitch and stitch it.

More information on how tucks are made using paws can be found in the video below.