did your machine come with an instruction manual? My Viking did...it shows all the different ways you can use each 'foot'. I think a walking foot is mainly used for sewing multiple layers of fabric (such as in putting the layers of a quilt together). It keeps both layers of fabric moving together.

with knits youu want to zig-zag rather than use a straight stitch. I would suggest going back to the original setting on the tension, using your regular foot, experimenting with different zig-zag and length stitches on scrap material. I don't think a 'special' foot is all that necessry but I'd check out the owner's instruction manual and maybe call the local Janome dealer for advice on the phone.

experiment with the 'feet' on scrap material. good luck.

Carolyn

Here is a site that may help. There is a brief description of each foot.

beverly

Here is a link that might be useful: Janome Home

There is a book about feet in Clotilde's or Nancy's Notions catalogs.

here is a link that might help it also has short videos.
Red

Here is a link that might be useful: feet link

Check with your dealer to see if Janome offers an adjunct book on feet...Bernina has a two-volume set call "Feetures" that describes several different uses for each foot they make. I have found it invaluable and makes each foot much more versatile.

Mary

Thank you all so much for your advice. I will follow the links, call the dealer and see about additional books. The instruction manual that came with the machine is pretty basic and only has the feet that were included with the machine originally.

"There is a book about feet in Clotilde's or Nancy's Notions catalogs" - I have not heard of these catalogs because I am new to this. Do you have a link where I can go online?

Thanks again.

Namaste,
Deborah

I found a walking foot is also very good for sewing fleece. without it the fleece slides as you sew.

Sally

Sounds like you have a wonderful husband to buy those for you...they are not cheap by any means and some are downright expensive.

What model Janome do you have?

I would go through the manual and practice page by painful page that will pay dividends later when you have to use it--I do it with every new machine I own, sometimes several times because of new technology and I've been sewing 45 years. You may have missed a detail or two while reading/glancing through and may not realize the full potential of your machine. It's also a good way to practice the feet included, find out what decorative stitches you have and what they look like at different settings (keep the swatch with notes for future reference), and how to use the different double needles available--they can be wonderous.

The zipper foot is the same except now snaps on, application is the same you learned in junior high. If you worked with knits in school, the same rules apply.

As another poster indicted, you don't need the walking foot to sew knits, you already have done the 2 major things by loosening up the presser foot pressure a bit and using a ball point needle. I usually elongate the regular stitch a bit to allow for stretch and haven't had a popped seam yet.

Red posted an excellent site that actually tells you how to use the foot, the Janome site tells you only what the foot is for. Usually you can find instructions on line by googling or other search engine on how to use the feet. Do not worry about brand, most feet work the same.

Most of all, sit back and relax while practicing because it is practice...and always clean your machine with the lint brush and make practice runs when you start sewing at the start of each day, when trying something new, or working with a new type of fabric or method. This little practice will save you time, energy, materials, asprin, and at times hair in the long run.

I think they are www.clotilde.com and www.nancysnotions.com.