Is a walking foot helpful in piecing quilt tops?

[Hannelore N.]

I am new to quilting and am already addicted! Should have been a warning sign on the class flyer!! Anyway I now NEED (not want) a new machine! I have been looking at the Pfaff 2058 and the Viking Sapphire. I really like both machines and just can’t seem to decide. I was wondering if the IDT should really be an important factor in my decision. I spoke with my quilting instructor about this and she said the IDT makes piecing much more accurate, that she would not own anything other than a Pfaff. Now I have been piecing without a walking foot on my Kenmore with very good results – I put my walking foot on and did some piecing and really did not see a difference? So if you were looking for a machine for quilting would the IDT (or lack of ) be a deciding factor?

[Hannelore N.]

WELCOME to the quilting world Tanneii :lol: :wink:
When I piece I usually do not use the walkingfoot. I use the walkingfoot for strip-sewing (sewing long strips together, they dont bend as much when using the WF) and when I sew on the binding.
As go for brand of sewing machines you will get a lot of different answers. I love my Janome MC 6600 :wink:
If you want a walking foot on your new machine, make sure its integrated in the machine!

[Lorna B.]

Thanks on the tip of using the walking foot for sewing long strips together. I will try that.

I am not sure what IDT is. Like Brink, I use the walking foot for sewing on binding and other times when I am sewing more than two layers together, ie straight line quilting, things like that.

[Margo C.]

Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting Tanneii!
As important as the machine you decide on, is the dealer you get it from! If there is ever a problem with your machine you want to have it fixed fast, and fixed right! Don't ask the dealer, ask other customers!!! Good luck. We look forward to seeing what you make!

[Margo C.]

The walking foot is more for when you've got multiple layers... I know, piecing IS putting two pieces together, but the walking foot helps when there's that extra layer in between. A quarter-inch foot is my choice for piecing! There's another thread here about a first sewing machine, take a look there was some really great info. Welcome! Florence

[Margo C.]

pfaff machines have the IDT....... independent dual ..(ok, I can't remember the T ops: )
basically it is like a built in walking foot. you have absolutley precise piecing.
I love my pfaff.

[Margo C.]

Welcome to the world of quilting Tanneii.
Many very skilled quilters piece successfully without any type of walking foot. If you are going to use one, in my opinion integrated systems work much better for piecing than add on feet. Pfaff makes a great machine, however they are not the only company to make integrated walking feet on their machines any more. BabyLock Quest also has a walking foot integrated into their machine and I love it for piecing. There is another company but who it is escapes me at the moment.
Peter

[Sherry B.]

Welcome Tanneii. I agree, quilting is addicting. I wake up at night thinking about my projects I agree with Margo that having is good dealer is the most important thing. I love my Berninas and can't imagine buying any other brand. And once you want to quilt your own quilts, the BSR is absolutely amazing. However, it seems that we TQS members own a lot of different brands; and we all love the one we have. So having a dealer that provides training, gives good support and is in close proximity should be a major consideration.

[Diane O.]

I agree with others that stated a good dealer is IMPORTANT when buying a new machine. I would suggest that you spend some time looking at the different machines, and when you go to the store, take along some fabric and thread, like you would use in sewing at home, and see how each of the machines behave with what YOU will be sewing on. Most good dealers should let you spend some time sewing on which ever machines you are interested in.

Each machine has it's good and bad points. And each sewer/quilter has their likes and dislikes. So while it may be helpful to get others opinions, they may not have the same requirements as you do.

I wouldn't make this decision quickly, take your time, visit the dealers, more than once if necessary. Go look at any machines that has a dealer within the distance you are willing to travel for service and classes. You want to be happy with which ever machine you choose, and not regret your decision, about the machine or the dealer. (By going back to the same dealer more than once, you can see if they are friendly and helpful each time, or if it was just a random occurance). The last thing you would want, after investing in a good machine, is to have lousy service from your dealer, and not be able to get answers to questions, or help with using the machine once you get it home.

I have a Pfaff, and love the IDT, and couldn't live with out it. One of the reasons I went with a Pfaff over another brand, is the dealer. I didn't like the way I was treated by the Viking dealer when I was looking for a machine, but the Pfaff dealer took all the time I needed to explain all the features of the machine, before I bought it. (this was a long time ago, before Viking and Pfaff become part of the same parent company). And then gave me classes on how to use the machine. I have never regretted my decision to go with the Pfaff, even though I look at other machines now and then, I just don't like the way I'm treated when I walk into other stores to look at their machines.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Diane O.]

I am new to quilting and am already addicted! Should have been a warning sign on the class flyer!! Anyway I now NEED (not want) a new machine! I have been looking at the Pfaff 2058 and the Viking Sapphire. I really like both machines and just can’t seem to decide. I was wondering if the IDT should really be an important factor in my decision. I spoke with my quilting instructor about this and she said the IDT makes piecing much more accurate, that she would not own anything other than a Pfaff. Now I have been piecing without a walking foot on my Kenmore with very good results – I put my walking foot on and did some piecing and really did not see a difference? So if you were looking for a machine for quilting would the IDT (or lack of ) be a deciding factor?

As far as I was concerned, it was, and I never regretted purchasing the Pfaff...I rarely pin when piecing as the IDT moves top and bottom fabrics together...like having your quilting foot on all the time. It's a huge time saver also.

Dorene

[Diane O.]

Hello all, thank you for your responses. The IDT stands for Integrated Dual Feed Technology. (yes, a build in walking foot). I did go to the city this weekend and looked at the Pfaff 2057 it was great!!! The dealer also had Jamone, which I did try.. but just did not like as well as the Pfaff. Anyway I decided to go to lunch and “think about the 2057”. My plan was to go back to the dealer and buy the machine. But as I was on my way I decided to go by and just take a look at the Babylocks. I went into the store and fell in love with them!!! I just bonded with the whole lot of them!! The dealer was great and I knew I had to have one.. I was taking to the dealer about the Espire – but they did not have any in stock or on the floor to try so he was showing me the Esante which has everything the Espire has plus the embroidery. (I did look at the Quest – It was nice but just not the one). Any way I was going to order the Espire until I noticed the Esante was on sale and was only about 400 dollars more that the Esante (due to the manufacture rebates). So since I was interested in the embroidery but did not want to put that much $$$ out.. this was really a great deal. The Esante sews so smooth and even… and has all of the bells and whistles I was lusting after (but could not afford)!!! I went on line (at the dealers shop—showed him the reviews) the Esante has good reviews and babylock in general has good reviews. So even though I had pretty much decided to go with the Pfaff – had the IDT that I was wanting and really a great machine. I decided on the Esante…. Although I have only had it for a few days I really am happy… I don’t think I will miss the IDT to much, ( of couse you don’t know what your missing until you have it) I did get the dealer to throw in a walking foot. While I am sure the IDT works better I am very happy with the waling foot on the Esante.

[Diane O.]

Anneii,
Congratulations on the new machine! How exciting for you, let us know if you have any questions. Have fun with your new baby.
Peter

[Robin G.]

Dear Tanneii,
I've just read through you notes about how you ended up with a Babylock. I've recently had the same experience. I was shopping for a new sewing machine, and I was pretty set on either a Bernina or a Pfaff, but then I took a machine applique class and used the store's Creative Vision, rather than bringing my own machine. It had some great features (my old machine is pretty basic), but I really didn't like the way that it handled. Then I looked at the Berninas, and really liked them, but for my budget, I couldn't have gotten all my wishes. Then I went to Babylock, and like you, fell in love! I originally planned to get the Quilter's Choice, but they gave me a great deal on the Espire, and I am happy as can be with it! I just love it, and I also had a great experience there!
PS: I notice you're from New Mexico. We've just found out we're moving there this summer, but we're moving to Portales. Robin

[Eileen K.]

I have the Babylock Quest and have not been able to bond with it. I got it because it has the built in walking foot so it would be easier to piece thick fabrics, like a t-shirt quilt.
An employee at the dealer told me that I shouldn't have jumped right in and worked on a project, that I should have just played for a few weeks.
Does anyone have any advice about bonding with this machine? I've been regretting it almost from the first day and it was sort of a gift from DH. I don't want to hurt his feelings so I haven't said anything to him.
eileenkny