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Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: Auryn on May 10, 2013, 10:20:18 AM

Title: fighting with a walking foot
Post by: Auryn on May 10, 2013, 10:20:18 AM
Hi all
sorry I have been MIA for a while- seems to be happening a lot
its life- cant get away from it.

Anyway,
I finally got a walking foot for my Singer 15-91- going to be dedicated to sewing leather only.

Here is the problem, it will only stitch properly if I use the black gutterman bobbin thread.
I have tried 100% polyester embroidery thread and it snaps and just doesnt work.
Also its very finicky- the foot I mean.

What thread do you recommend I use with this foot to sew leather?
Any tips for using the foot itself??

Its a low shank, straight stitch walking foot- generic brand.
Title: Re: fighting with a walking foot
Post by: gem on May 10, 2013, 11:04:24 AM
Quote from: Auryn on May 10, 2013, 10:20:18 AM
Any tips for using the foot itself??

Its a low shank, straight stitch walking foot- generic brand.

I'm afraid to say this, but this might be your problem. Is there a WF specific to your machine? I've heard complaints about generic walking feet from the folks on PR.

Also, I'm wondering why a foot would give you issues with thread. That's so weird!! (Which I'm sure you're thinking, too!) I'm assuming you've tried switching out everything--needle, leather-for-non-leather; regular foot on leather with the "bad" thread, etc. All the variables. Can I ask why you're using embroidery thread? I would think that might be prone to breakage. I've had thread-finicky machines, so my best advice is to just keep offering it other choices!

Hopefully someone else will have better suggestions for you.
Title: Re: fighting with a walking foot
Post by: Auryn on May 10, 2013, 11:56:02 AM
Thanks gem

I tried all those variations, with the regular foot it works just fine- embroidery thread and all.
I tried embroidery thread last night because I didn't have any regular thread that would match, and I was so desperate I was willing to try anything really.

The machine is a Singer 15-91, I haven't been able to find a specific walking foot for that machine, they are all generic that i have found
Title: Re: fighting with a walking foot
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on May 11, 2013, 06:12:50 AM
Contact some of the vintage machine parts suppliers via Treadle On etc.  You may find one of them has a proper old Singer part.

If you can't find one, forget the new Singer and generic feet and sink some real cash into a Husqvarna brand one.  Mine fits all my old Singer machines and works perfectly on things like the Featherweight and my 15-88.  Do check that you get one for the narrower feed dogs, not one built for an embroidery machine with multi-directional feed.

Also see what Juki have to offer.
Title: Re: fighting with a walking foot
Post by: Auryn on May 11, 2013, 05:49:16 PM
Thanks Kate
so I went through and switched everything out and at a time- put in upholstery thread and everything.
It is definitely the walking foot.
As soon as I put the regular foot on it worked perfectly.

Figures.
I will look up the page you mentioned Kate,thanks