Walking Foot for SilPoly??

**17SierraGear** · 06-01-2016, 00:48

Just ordered a new machine today (YAYYY!) and was wondering if anyone had experience sewing SilPoly with a walking foot? I called the dealership to ask before I ordered but they had no idea but would "assume it would tear it up". Given the fact that she didn't know what 1000D Cordura was I am not giving much weight to her assumption. By the way it is a dedicated walking foot, not the add on foot for domestic machines. Any insights would be much appreciated!

**Tacblades** · 06-01-2016, 01:42

I used a standard foot, it was fine if you have tension behind and in front of the needle.

**sqidmark** · 06-01-2016, 05:05

I used a walking foot on my xenon tarp and it worked well. I used the standard foot on the first seam and I had a lot of fabric creep. The walking foot helped to eliminate that problem. I think it may just be a crutch for those of us with lack of experience, but hey, whatever gets the job done.

**5shot** · 06-01-2016, 16:21

A walking foot will always be superior to a drop feed. The materials are pinched between the foot and the feed dogs and moved together in unison. I would not listen to a word that dealership said.

**Flatliner** · 06-01-2016, 16:35

I have done both and except for the smallest of jobs won't sew any light material without a walking foot ever again. Best sewing money I ever spent!

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**sr1355** · 06-01-2016, 18:59

We have one and it's gathering dust, the dedicated straight lockstitch machine is far faster for us and with practice fabric pitch issues are nonexistent.

**5shot** · 06-03-2016, 11:25

Originally Posted by 17SierraGear

Just ordered a new machine today (YAYYY!) and was wondering if anyone had experience sewing SilPoly with a walking foot? I called the dealership to ask before I ordered but they had no idea but would "assume it would tear it up". Given the fact that she didn't know what 1000D Cordura was I am not giving much weight to her assumption. By the way it is a dedicated walking foot, not the add on foot for domestic machines. Any insights would be much appreciated!

What machine did you order BTW?

**5shot** · 06-03-2016, 11:31

Originally Posted by sr1355

We have one and it's gathering dust, the dedicated straight lockstitch machine is far faster for us and with practice fabric pitch issues are nonexistent.

Are you saying the walking foot is gathering dust? If so, why do you find it too slow? My Brother will do 3000 SPM, which is way faster than I would ever sew, but I do realize some of the drop feed machines do 5,000 SPM.

**Flatliner** · 06-04-2016, 06:52

I don't have the space or professional need for dedicated machines and as an occasional sewer I simply find I produce a far better product using the walking foot. If I did it for a living like you, I am sure it would be a different story.

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**17SierraGear** · 06-05-2016, 12:33

Originally Posted by 5shot

What machine did you order BTW?

It is a Family Sew portable walking foot machine. I think Thompson made the first portable walking foot machine (this design) 50+ years ago and after they went out of business many companies copied the design. If you are familiar with the Sailright machines it is the same thing just with a longer arm.

I also just got a Juki MO 655 serger for bags. Haven't even had the chance to fire it up yet.