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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 machines9 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.