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

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 machines, tutorials



66 Responses to “Bernina Aurora 440 QE: Walking Foot”

  1. Dorothy Says:

    Need the address to order Bernina Walking foot

  2. Judy Says:

    I have a 1530 and a series 1000 WF. I have had it since I bought the machine new ~ 15 years ago. Today is the first time I tried to use it. Unless I pull the material from the back, I get teeny tiny stitches. It is properly installed. Does anyone have an idea what my problem is?
    Thanks in advance.

  3. Judy Says:

    Dorothy,
    Put Bernina Walking foot into a search engine along with the model of your machine. You will get many many sites to investigate. There is not just 1 site.

  4. The Journey of My Walking Foot | Says:

    […] Dog Named Banjo – Bernina 440 Walking Foot […]

  5. Walk Your Stitches Right Out of the Ditch: Fresh Ideas for Quilting with a Walking Foot | Says:

    […] Dog Named Banjo – Bernina 440 Walking Foot […]

  6. Christine Says:

    THANK YOU for finally showing me how to use my walking foot!
    I have watched every tutorial, but never saw that claw slip over the needle housing!
    Finally using it right today.
    THANKS!

  7. María Jose Says:

    Thank you very much!!!!!!!

  8. Suz Says:

    Wonderful – Thanks!

    Also, to everyone, Bernina has a video about how to attach the foot, change the different soles with the little screws and screwdriver – etc. Better than an instruction booklet for sure!

    If the link doesn’t work, just cut and past the URL
    http://www.bernina.com/en-US/Products-us/BERNINA-products/Accessories/Presser-feet/Three-sole-walking-foot-50-with-seam-guide-us

  9. bevburke Says:

    Thank you so much. So much advice to use this foot, but I’ve had HORRIBLE results till NOW. I can’t wait to get to my projects.

  10. Heather Says:

    Please let me add my thanks to everyone else’s. Your pictures made so much more sense than the printed instructions!! My walking foot is now walking!

  11. Pam Says:

    I’m a little late to the party and haven’t read every response, so if this was already mentioned just disregard. I believe the extra part has holes through it to use the seam guides.

  12. Ann Says:

    Have you done any more videos of 440-qe. As I didn’t have time to have lessons. Have started quilting. These videos are very helpful Thankyou☺ or do you know where there are any more ilistrated videos as they dont make this any more

  13. Debbie Says:

    Amazing! Just used your instructions to properly install the walking foot and – ta da! – everything is working the way it’s supposed to! Thank you.

  14. Reggie Says:

    Hi Kelly – HAPPY FRIDAY! I made a mistake linking up my Grilled Sweet Roll Slider – I added the wrong link (the link added is to my blogger account) ~ I'm not sure how I did that?! I was3n#&9;t able to delete that link, maybe you can. I added the correct one – so sorry about that! Thanks so much for hosting! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  15. Jenn Says:

    Seriously changed my sewing life! Knew i was doing something wrong because it wasn’t sewing properly but I couldn’t figure it out till now. Thank you!

  16. Hayley90 Says:

    Reading your site is big pleasure for me, it deserves to go
    viral, you need some initial traffic only. If you want to know how to get it search
    for: blackhatworren’s strategies
    Hayley90´s last blog post ..Hayley90

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

Handmade High Tech


I'm Robyn. Thanks for stopping by! This is my craft blog.

Contact me at robyn [at] dognamedbanjo [dot] com.

Bernina Articles

Search