Inside: Sewing Machine Feet: The Clear Sole All-Purpose Foot
Today is another installment in my Sewing Machine Feet series that I started here. Today’s foot is the Clear Sole All-Purpose Foot. While not identical, it is as basic as the All-Purpose Foot, except it is clear. And, being clear is what makes it awesome.
Being clear allows me to see exactly what I’ve just sewn and if everything is straight and lined up.
Why I use this foot for most projects
This is the foot that is always attached to my machine. Almost every project starts and ends with this foot ~ that is how basic it is.
Like the regular All-Purpose Foot, this foot has a 5mm opening that allows for straight, utility, zigzag and decorative stitching.
While this foot isn’t standard on most machines, many manufacturers offer variations of a Clear Sole All Purpose foot. Sometimes it is called an Applique Foot. There are some after-market sellers who also offer Clear Sole feet. I recommend you visit a sewing store and see what they offer.
Notice the red markings on my foot. This is what makes this foot so wonderful. The markings allow for greater accuracy when stitching.
For instance, I can take chalk or a water soluble pen and mark a line where I want to stitch. As long as the red center line on my foot lines up with the line I’ve drawn, my stitching will be perfectly accurate. This works beautifully on a decorative stitch which can go in several different directions as it is stitching out. Keep the red line on the marked line and your stitching will be lined up perfectly.
If I had a complaint it would be that my foot is completely enclosed {this isn’t the case with other manufacturers}. In order to get my thread beneath the foot, I have to first take a stitch. While this is a minor inconvenience, I would really prefer the foot had a thread slot on one of the sides.
Whenever I teach new sewists, I always recommend this foot as essential. Once you’ve sewn with it, you will wonder how you ever got along without one.
Having fun with one of my favorite feet.
Update: I’ve recently found an online seller that carries a variety of feet for most machines. Check them out here.
I always love learning new things about sewing! Thanks for sharing!
We both sew and always could use a few more tips – great sharing!
Good to know! I’ve been trying out all the sewing feet my machine came with so I constantly pull out the instruction booklet to see which one is the best to use for each project.
Hi I am stopping by your blog from the Adorned From Above Wednesday Blog Hop. I
Great tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing with this weeks Adorned From Above Blog Hop. We always love seeing what you bring to the party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
Thanks for sharing! I’m always wondering what half of the stuff from my sewing machine is! Someday I’ll figure it out with help from people like you 🙂
These sewing tips are fabulous -a great resource. THANKS! Pinned it! {Saw you at Sharendipity!}
I don’t sew nearly as often as I used to but I can totally appreciate the value of this foot. Accuracy is so important, especially with decorative stitching. Great post! I found it on Strut Your Stuff hop and it caught my eye.
Thanks for the lesson! Your friend, Linda
OMG! You can’t believe how long I have searched on the Net to find out what this foot is (that came with my new sewing machine a number of years ago)!! Thanks so much!! Now I am going to use it!
I didn’t know that your site existed until today. It is awesome. I have been sewing for many, many years, but your site is a breath of fresh air for me. My small sewing area is very small and cluttered and I don’t even want to walk (?) in there. Reading the article about 15 minutes of sewing is just the impetus I have needed. First, the straightening, then the planning. Thank you so much for your taking the time to share, and your knowledge seems rather vast. I will be following your hints, tips, and how-tos with anticipation. Again, thank you. I realize that time spent is something never recovered. Cheryl ?
I was blessed and given an old Bernina with multiple feet; but didn’t know their purposes. I love your series! Now l feel comfortable with experimenting with them! Your site is very informative! Thank you so much!!