A walking foot attaches to the presser foot bar on top of your machine

A walking foot is a presser foot that moves fabric through your machine at the same speed from top and bottom, instead of letting the feed dogs (the metal teeth under the presser foot) push fabric alone. On a Brother machine, you install it by removing your current presser foot, sliding the walking foot onto the presser foot bar, and securing it with the presser foot screw. The whole process takes about two minutes and requires no tools beyond what came with your machine.

Most Brother machines use a snap-on or screw-on presser foot system. A snap-on foot (common on newer models) clicks into place; a screw-on foot (common on older models) fastens with a single screw. Your walking foot will match whichever system your machine uses. Check your machine's manual or the presser foot bar itself to know which type you have before you buy a walking foot.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off your Brother machine and raise the presser foot lever all the way up before removing or installing any presser foot.
  • Remove your current presser foot by either pressing the release button (snap-on) or unscrewing the single screw (screw-on), then slide the walking foot onto the bar and find it the same way.
  • Make sure the walking foot is level and sits flush against the presser foot bar with no gaps before you start sewing.
  • Walking feet come in different heights and styles depending on your machine model, so buy one made for Brother machines, not generic universal feet.

Raise the presser foot lever before you start

The presser foot lever is the handle on the back or side of your machine that you push down to lower the presser foot onto fabric. Raising it all the way up releases tension on the presser foot bar and makes it much easier to remove and install a foot. If you try to remove a presser foot while the lever is down, you may damage the foot or the bar.

On most Brother machines, the lever is on the back right side of the machine head. Push it up until it stops. You will hear or feel a small click when it reaches the top. This is the correct position for changing presser feet.

Remove your current presser foot

Look at the presser foot bar—the metal rod that runs left to right at the top of your machine, just above where the needle goes. Your current presser foot attaches to this bar in one of two ways.

For snap-on feet: Look for a small button or lever on the back of the presser foot, usually on the left or right side. Press or flip it, and the foot will click off the bar. You may need to press firmly. Once it releases, pull the foot straight down and away from the bar.

For screw-on feet: Look for a single screw on top of the presser foot bar, running through the foot into the bar. Use the small screwdriver that came with your machine (or a standard Phillips screwdriver) to turn the screw counterclockwise until it is loose enough to lift the foot off. Do not remove the screw completely—just loosen it enough to slide the foot out from underneath.

Slide the walking foot onto the bar

Hold the walking foot so the metal shank (the part that attaches to the bar) is facing up and the foot itself is facing down, toward the needle plate. The shank should have a slot or hole that matches your presser foot bar.

Slide the shank onto the bar from the left or right side, depending on which way your machine's bar runs. Push it all the way in so the foot sits centered under the needle. The walking foot should sit level—not tilted to one side—and should not rock or shift when you move it gently by hand.

find the walking foot with the snap or screw

For snap-on feet: Once the walking foot is on the bar and centered, push the release button or lever on the back of the foot. You should hear a click as it locks into place. Gently try to pull the foot off the bar—it should not budge. If it moves, the snap did not catch. Remove it and try again, making sure the shank is fully seated on the bar before you press the button.

For screw-on feet: Once the walking foot is on the bar and centered, tighten the screw by turning it clockwise with your screwdriver. Turn it firmly but do not over-tighten, which can strip the threads or crack the foot. The foot should be snug and not move when you gently try to wiggle it.

Check that the walking foot is level and ready to use

Before you sew, lower the presser foot lever to bring the walking foot down onto the needle plate. Look at the foot from the front and side of the machine. It should sit flat and level, not tilted or angled. If it rocks or sits unevenly, raise the lever, remove the foot, and reinstall it.

Also check that the walking foot does not hit the needle when you turn the handwheel (the large wheel on the right side of the machine) by hand. Turn the wheel toward you slowly and watch the needle move up and down. If the needle touches the foot, the foot may be installed too far forward or backward. Remove it and slide it slightly in the opposite direction, then check again.

Once the foot sits level and the needle clears it, you are ready to sew. The walking foot will grip the top layer of fabric and feed it forward at the same speed as the feed dogs push the bottom layer, which is especially useful for quilting, sewing thick seams, or working with slippery fabrics like silk or satin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my walking foot does not fit on my Brother machine?

Walking feet are made for specific machine models or groups of models. If the foot does not slide onto the bar or sits crooked, you may have bought one made for a different machine. Check your Brother machine's model number (usually on a sticker on the back or bottom) and buy a walking foot labeled for that model or series. Universal walking feet often do not work well on Brother machines.

Can I use a walking foot on all Brother machines?

No. Brother makes many machine models with different presser foot bar heights and attachment systems. A walking foot for a Brother XM2701 will not work on a Brother CS6000i. Always check that the walking foot is listed as compatible with your specific machine model before you buy it.

Do I need to adjust any settings on my machine to use a walking foot?

Most Brother machines do not require setting changes to use a walking foot. However, some machines have a presser foot pressure dial that you may want to adjust. If your machine has one, you can lower the pressure slightly when using a walking foot, since the foot itself helps move fabric. Check your manual for your machine's specific pressure settings.

What should I do if the walking foot wobbles or feels loose after I install it?

Raise the presser foot lever and check that the foot is fully seated on the bar with no gaps. For snap-on feet, remove and reinstall it, making sure you hear the click. For screw-on feet, tighten the screw a bit more. If it still wobbles, the foot or bar may be damaged—contact a Brother dealer or authorized repair shop.