Back to the Basics Techniques

Do you know your feet?
by Mary Lou Nall

This is Lesson 5 in a series that will take you “Back to the Basics” of selecting presser feet. The technical details shared will include how the different presser feet available will save you time and produce professional results in any area of home sewing.

The presser feet lessons that will be shared during the upcoming months are as follows:
Lesson 1: Gathering Foot (featured in May 2007 SQE Professional™)
Lesson 2: Piping Foot (featured in June 2007 SQE Professional™)
Lesson 3: Flat Fell Seam Foot; small and large (featured in July 2007 SQE Professional™)
Lesson 4: Quilting/Patchwork Foot (featured in August 2007 SQE Professional™)
Lesson 5: Special Piping Foot

SPECIAL PIPING FOOT
Stitch: Straight Only
Needle Position: Center Only

The #38 foot makes life a lot easier when sewing on heavy trims.

One “blade” of the foot is thicker than the other, allowing the foot to ride over the bulky trim while exerting the same pressure on the thinner fabric being sewn.

Also the thicker side of the foot forms a ridge on the underside which helps in guiding braids, trims and fine piping. See sketch at left.

One side of the foot is raised to accommodate heavy trims, hook and loop tape or strapping. The foot holds the trim in place and stitches close to the edge.

The raised edge allows the foot to ride evenly.

Mary Lou Nall, a Pensacola, FL, native has been working with Bernina for 35 years. She specializes in Bernina accessories and how the proper use of accessories can save time and give professional results. Mary Lou has worked with Bernina dealers all over the United States, including Hawaii. She is a popular teacher at Bernina University and The Martha Pullen School of Sewing in Huntsville, AL. Her three-hour sit and sew sessions are fun and educational. Her books and DVDs feature even more “back to the basics” information and show step-by-step how to use each foot in this series as well as close up teaching techniques. They can be purchased by e-mailing mltbooks@aol.com or by contacting Bernina of America.

Reprinted from SQE Professional, September 2007