A zipper foot can be adjusted so you can decide to leave it on the left or the right side of the needle.
This feature comes in handy when you need to sew the zipper, hence the name of the foot, without having a presser foot applying pressure on the teeth, which can make them get caught in the feed dog.
If you want to know which sewing machine model has a zipper foot as a standard accessory, read this article on
Best Cheap Sewing Machine For Beginners to find a sewing machine with a zipper foot.Where To Buy A Zipper Foot
A zipper foot
A zipper foot comes in by default with certain sewing machines. If your machine doesn’t have one, this foot can always be bought separately in a local shop.
Not all sewing machines are created equal so a zipper foot that fits one brand may not a suit for another. When in doubt, visit your sewing machine’s manufacturer website to find a shop that has a foot that can be used on your machine.
Consult the machine’s manual for information on the foot.
When you go to a shop, remember to note down the machine’s make, model, and shank height.
The Best Zipper Foot
This is more of a personal matter. The best zipper foot for one person might not work well for another. Some prefer large varieties while others like theirs to be small.
The only way to know which one to buy is to do a test to find out what works for you. If you are not happy with the standard foot that goes with your machine, replace it.
My
easy to use sewing machine for beginners comes with just the foot I want so I don’t have to visit the shop.Other Uses For Zipper Foot
Sewing zipper
If you have trims that cannot fit under a regular foot, a zipper foot can solve the problem. A normal presser foot can damage the trims or the needles, especially the beaded trim. The zipper foot allows you to sew the trims without apply pressure on it.
In case you need to sew on piping, this foot lets you sew near the piping without the piping gets jammed under the foot.
Common Zipper Foot Mistakes
Sometimes you need to loosen the screws so that the zipper foot can move from one side to the other. I know many sewists don’t tighten them back causing the foot to vibrate as the machine runs.
The worst consequence is that foot falls out of place and lies right under the needle. If you don’t notice the problem in time, the needle will crash into the foot.
Always re-tighten the screws and if the needle crashes, replace it immediately because it is probably dull as the result of hitting the foot.
The needle and screws on some best sewing machine for beginners
are easy to change and tighten so you don’t have to worry that this step is time-consuming.