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Bernina Aurora 440 QE: Walking Foot
OK, so for you non-sewers out there reading this blog, it may sound absolutely insane that I wanted to initially start out this post with: “Dear walking foot, where have you been all my life?” Yes, probably for those who don’t think sewing is cool (which, really, you should reconsider), this sounds pretty lame. But seriously? Walking foot? I think you’re my new BFF. It’s TLA & TLF over here between me and you. You have a bad reputation, but I want everyone to know the real you. Let’s explore your beauty, shall we? I offer you this love letter of our history together:
You were born in this quaint little box by the river:
You, in the box.
This is what I was greeted with when I first laid eyes on you. So cute snuggled in your Styrofoam home! How could a girl not fall for you?
You, all warmly cozy.
You came with two attachment feet, a screwdriver, two seam guides (left and right) and another u-shaped piece with a screw that I’m not sure what to do with. Gee. I wish you came with a user manual. Oh wait! You do! But it doesn’t tell me what to do with that little piece. You are such a complex person ummm… foot.
Here are your two soles. They are so similar – it’s like we’re playing “one of these things is not like the other.” But the subtle but useful differences in your clever toes are just another facet of your pragmatic personality.
Every girl needs a few pairs of shoes...
And the feet… Those cute little black feet that are responsible for all of the walking that you do.
Remember when we first shook hands? Was it as thrilling for you as it was for me? This little arm of yours is where all the magic comes from.
Nice to meet you!
And how you let me change out your soles…
This won't hurt a bit...
OK, so Igot a little too close for comfort and you put up your defenses. We all need personal space and I respect that.
You, getting a little prickly with your seam guides.
At first, I had no idea how to best make use of your many talents. I was going about it all wrong, not putting your magical arm to good use:
Walking Foot: The wrong way. Booo! Hissss!
But then, little walking foot, you showed me what you’re truly made of:
Walking Foot: The right way!
The arm hangs on to the needle housing so that the feet move up and down with the needle to hold the fabric down and move it along at a steady pace.
Close-up
Those little black feet of yours walk between the openings in the soles, bringing the fabric along with the rest of the batch. I swear, that walk might even be runway ready!
Walking foot, you have changed my life. You are quiet, graceful, and delightful to have. Fabrics don’t slide, long strips of cotton with interfacing in between stay straight and fabric doesn’t stretch out leaving all that extra fabric at the end of long seams. I know… I’m late to the lovefest. But will you still have me?
Posted by robyn on July 23rd, 2008 under bernina 440 qe, crafts, sewing, sewing machines46 Responses to “Bernina Aurora 440 QE: Walking Foot”
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This is Banjo & I:
I'm Robyn. Thanks for stopping by! This is my craft blog.
Contact me at robyn [at] dognamedbanjo [dot] com.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Seriously, thankyou! I got my Bernina a year and a half or so ago, it isn’t as skookum as yours but a Bernie none-the-less. ANYWAYS, I got a walking foot when I bought it but didn’t get the hype when I tried it out. I think I had foot the wrong way…I must find a project to try it again! Thanks!!!
Carolyns last blog post..Only a little
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
@ Carolyn:
So glad I could help! I hope you become as enamored as I have with the WF
July 24th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Don’t think I missed the ‘river’ comment.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Oh, my! I had not been using my walking foot correctly. I evidently didn’t read the instructions, which I just found in the bottom of the box my Bernina walking foot came in. No wonder the foot didn’t truly “walk” when I used it for quilting. Thanks so much for posting this. I might never have figured out what I was doing wrong. I feel so dumb!
July 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
@ Anne:
Hi Anne,
Wow, I’m so glad this post has helped a few people figure out the walking foot. I thought I was the only one who was using it the wrong way for a spell. Now that I’m using it the right way, it’s like a dream. Sigh
July 30th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Robyn: I have had my Bernina 630E for two years now! The last time I used my walking foot, I thought something wasn’t quite right. Apparently, I didn’t pay close enough attention to the installation instructions. I don’t know that I would have ever figured it out if I hadn’t visited your blog, which I enjoy very much.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
[...] First, it looks like we’ll need a machine. Check! Got that one covered. [...]
August 15th, 2008 at 9:07 am
[...] a bit of extra stuff in the way. It’s a bit on the wonky side to get it on the first time (though not as difficult to put on as the walking foot!), but once you get it on there, it looks like this: Finally [...]
September 1st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Thank you!!! Your pictures, esp the right and wrong helped me figure out how to attach mine. Much more clear than the video at creative sewing solutions which is the brand of walking foot I have.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
You are a treasure to show a beginner how to deal with a tricky but amazing foot. I inherited a Bernina 830, and it is like the Rolls Royce of sewing machines. Am still learning the feet, and you solves a major problem explaining what the walking foot was. If this let me attach a picture, I’d show you what it is helping me make! Thank you for such charming help.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Thank you!
I actually was given 2 of these by a friend of my mom’s. I sold one and that was the one that came with the instructions.
I was using mine “the wrong way”. I’m glad I found your blog… pretty soon I would have thrown it….out the window!
Thanks!
December 14th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Great layout, very easy to read and understand.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Thankyou so much, just brought WF secondhand with the wrong instructions enclosed. So glad I found your blog – now back to the machine – thanks a million!
January 11th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
What are the different soles for?
Thanks!
January 24th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Thank you so much; this senior figured out this foot, thanks to you and boo to Bernina for their instructions! Maybe you should write them for Bernina!!!
January 27th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
THANK YOU!!!! OMG I am now in love with my walking foot. Your info was clear, concise and way better than the little directions in the bottom of the box.
Kat,
Still figuring out the whole “quilting world”
February 5th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I have been looking all over for the correct way to use the walking foot and God Bless you for your contribution. What a diffeence. My sister in law left her bernina to me and all the attachments but no instructions on how to use the different attachments. The walking foot was my biggest concern..If you have a solution to find the instructions on using the walking foot would you please let me know…Or maybe a copy of yours would be appreciated…
Again Thank you
March 1st, 2009 at 9:12 am
Thanks for the clarity of your pictures and instructions. They are genius!
June 16th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
What is the difference between walking foot# 008 969 7000 & 008 969 7100 ?
June 18th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Thank you! I just dug out my WF for the first time, and I KNEW it wasn’t working right. You fixed it!
August 30th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I was frustrated with the lack of ‘walking’ with the foot attachment. I gave up and decided to look for info on the web. Lucky me, I found this site ! Thank you for your detailed instructions, much better than the Bernina instruction pamphlet and better pictures too !
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Thank you!I just bought a Bernina walking foot and also didn’t put the hand on the needle housing. I finally figured that out but could not figure out how to hold the seam guides in place. I didn’t put them through the ‘U’ shaped metal piece with the screw in the middle! After reading your blog I think I’ll try it again tonight! Thanks!
January 9th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for the instructions. Just bought a 440QE and was checking everything out. When I went to use walking foot, it wouldn’t advance, and the needle was eventually pulled out of its holder. I had 2 things wrong, feed dogs down (from trying out BSR) and wrong installation of walking foot. Thanks.
January 12th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
thanks so much for the very clear instructions – i would never have figured it out on my own and there certainly weren’t any hints in the instructions that came with the walking foot – plus you have a great sense of humor!
joanne
March 8th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Enjoyed the peek into your love affair with the walking foot. I’ve wanted one forever, and just bought a used one… no instructions… so I found you, and appreciate the time spent explaining the ins and outs of installation. Thank you!
March 9th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Hooray! Mine (new) didn’t come with any instructions and had me baffled! Now I can sew to my heart’s content
Thanks a bunch!
March 17th, 2010 at 4:59 am
Mary Lynn, I’m glad the instructions could help. My love affair is still going strong; I hope yours endures as well
March 17th, 2010 at 5:00 am
Hi Wendy, Wow, that stinks that even a new walking foot wouldn’t have any directions included. Glad my tutorial could be of help!
April 1st, 2010 at 10:14 am
Thanks for your wonderful instructions; can you tell me what you normally set your stitch length and width for quilting with the WF?
April 9th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Any suggestions on using this with slippery fabric seams? Should I put the guide on the left only? I, too, do not have the instruction booklet. Do you know how to get one? I am sewing 18′ long drapery panels and the seams are puckering. I am hoping this walking foot is my answer.
April 11th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
According Beths Creative website:
http://www.bethscreative.com/walking_foot.htm
Use the “sewing” sole for sewing on leather, velvet, for matching plaids, etc. There are both 1/4″ and 1/8″ markings on the sole to serve as seam and cornering guides. The additional seam guides shown here allow you to do channel quilting without marking!
Use the “quilting” sole when machine quilting. The new quilting sole has an “open toe” configuration to improve visibility when quilting. It also provides 1/4″ and 1/8″ markings to serve as seam and cornering guides. The back of the quilting sole is designed to reduce drag on the quilt, further promoting perfect feed.
July 3rd, 2010 at 7:34 am
Thank you! Thank you! It’s been a while since I’ve used my walking foot. Searching for help, I found your blog. Thank you for the laugh and the help. Adorable! I’ll always smile when I use the foot and think of your words.
July 5th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Thank you, Linda! Glad you found the post helpful
July 28th, 2010 at 5:01 am
i have a question – those to silver long piecs – i have had them in my sewing stuff for years- what are they for
August 10th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I just bought a no-name walking foot and think I have attached correctly, but as I sew, it seems to get stuck (ie it struggles, slows right down) as the needle comes back out of the fabric. Might this be a no-name thing or have others had this problem? Thanks heaps.
October 5th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
OH too funny. I’ve been struggling with my foot for the past two days, and finally figured out what the problem was b/c of your blog. Thanks a bunch for posting those pictures! Much appreciated
October 11th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I am confused about the walking foot. Does it enable you to use the stretch stitches on the machine to sew fabrics like lycra without the material fluting? Do you then get nice smooth seams from the right side, like an overlocker leaves?
March 7th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Excellent I had no idea what to do with the arm and the pictures in the instruction book is way to small! I don’t want to take it off know that i have it on and am sewing. Great visual really good thanks a bunch!
March 16th, 2011 at 5:25 am
Thank you so much!! I thought I broke my walking foot and I was going to buy another one! I saw your pictures and compared it to mine and saw there was nothing the matter with it! I think I must have forgotten to put the arm on!! I’m shocked that I forgot. Thank you again
September 22nd, 2011 at 11:29 am
I just sent your link to a blogger called ¨the slapdash sewist¨ because she asked for help. I found your explanation fantastic, it worked for me, so maybe it does for her too. Thank you.
October 1st, 2011 at 11:20 am
I too enjoyed your instructions.I was about to buy a walking foot and had no idea what kind to buy.They are quite pricey. Now I have decided to buy a variety of feet including the darning foot.I love dogs too, looks like you and Banjo have a little love going too. My Poohki is 14 years old and the love of y life.Dianne
October 23rd, 2011 at 11:51 am
I have been sewing since I was ten (and that was over 50 years ago!) and I can’t believe I didn’t have a walking foot until just 18 months ago. It would have made making some of my projects SO much easier. And, like you, I looked at the contents of the box when I first opened it and wondered, “What now?” I managed to figure it out…trial and error, but I heartily concur in recommending a walking foot to anyone serious about sewing. And let’s face it, anyone with a Bernina is a serious sewer to one degree or another!
October 24th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Thank you for your very clear instructions of how to attach the walking foot!! I have been using mine incorrectly but now have it on the right way. I bought my wf a couple of years ago new but there were not any instructions with it! Many thanks for your help:)
November 14th, 2011 at 4:30 am
I didn’t know that walking feet came with all that stuff. I thought you just got the walking foot and that was it; just clip it on your sewing machine and go. I live and learn.
Anyway, I thought I should let you know that the fuzzy thread you are using is bad for your sewing machine. The fibres come off in the machine and I think they can upset the tension.
Gutermann Sew-all is the best thread I have used. It’s better than Coats sew-all thread which leaves my buttonhole foot with a thin layer of fibres. I still have supply of non-Gutermann thread but I use it mainly for basting or hand-sewing until I run out of it – then I’ll get some basting thread.
December 20th, 2011 at 8:46 am
I feel as you do, the Bernina walking foot and I get along beautifully, have from the start. But I was laughing out loud reading this and I now have a link to send folks when they can’t figure their walking foot out. Thanks!
December 30th, 2011 at 9:33 am
Great instructions and MARVELOUs pictures.
If I see pics not as marvelous as yours I enlarge them on my computer and it is wonderful how helpful a huge picture, bigger than life, Picture will help!!!!!!!! Thanks for having this web site.