Learn to Sew - Making the Most of your Sewing Machine Feet

Now you’ve had the chance to get to know your machine a little better, it’s time to have a look at the extra feet that come with most machines. 

These feet are included with the Brother Innov-is 15, so they might vary from what came with your machine, but most new machines come with a similar selection.

Feet in the Brother range all come with a letter etched into them which helps identify them and match them with the right stitches.  The Innov-is 15 also uses these letters on the stitch selector to help you get it right!

The zigzag foot “J” is on the machine when it comes out of the box.  It’s the catch-all foot that you’ll use most.  It works with most of your standard stitches, including straight stitches, all the zig zag stitches and the decorative stitches.

Foot “R” is used for blind hem stitching.  You can use your sewing machine to blind hem trousers and skirts for a smarter finish.  This takes a little bit of fabric origami, but I’ve found the manuals instructions to be clear enough to follow.  Let me know if you’d like a tutorial for this though.

The overcasting foot “G” is also quite versatile.  As the name suggests you can use it with the overcasting stitches to finish off seam allowances instead of an overlocker.  I’ve also found it to be handy for sewing carefully along a line of stitching when finishing a waistband or ‘stitching in the ditch’ while quilting. 

You should also have both the buttonhole foot “A” and the button fitting foot “M” – yes! You can sew both your buttonholes and your buttons on with your sewing machine!  I’ll write a whole blog post on sewing buttonholes for you to guide you through using the “A” foot.

Zipper foot "I" helps you sew in regular, exposed or lapped zips.  I’ll be posting a tutorial for sewing in a lapped zip to show you how to use this foot. This foot can also be used to attach braidings, trims and piping to cushion covers etc. 

I hope that helps clarify what those extra feet which come with your machine, do let us know if you have any questions!

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Our Learn to Sew series is designed to encourage new sewers to feel confident at their sewing machines and teach the basics of sewing so anyone can have a go.  We have the same philosophy at Crafty Sew and So workshops.  If you would like to have a go at sewing with a little more help and support, why not come to one of our ‘Start as you Mean to Sew On’ workshops, or one of the Learn to Sew workshop in our studio, where we can answer questions and help you every step of the way.