How to Change a Presser Foot on Your Sewing Machine

Changing a presser foot – sounds about as exciting as watching a bobbin wind, right? You might be thinking, “What new insights could possibly exist about something so basic?” And sure, you could just flip through your sewing machine manual and follow the same old instructions. But here’s the thing: manuals are great for telling you what to do, but they rarely dish on the little quirks, the “oops” moments, and the “wait, what just happened?” scenarios that we all stumble into.

Swapping out presser feet isn’t rocket science, but there are plenty of ways it can go sideways. Between pets wanting to join in and the occasional “I thought I attached it!” moment, you’ll be a master in no time if you learn from these common stumbles.

So, stick around! This guide takes the routine out of the routine, with tips and tricks you won’t find in the back pages of your manual. Let’s make swapping presser feet more interesting than you thought possible. 

Why Change Your Presser Foot?

You might be wondering, “Why on earth would I need to change this thing? Isn’t one foot good enough?” Well, your sewing machine came with multiple presser feet for a reason – it wants you to change them. It’s like having a closet full of shoes – you wouldn’t wear stilettos to run a marathon, right? Same idea with presser feet.

Each presser foot is designed to handle different types of stitching. Some help guide fabric evenly, while others are built for specific stitches like zigzag or buttonholes. By swapping out the presser foot, you can achieve better results on your projects, especially if you’re sewing through various fabrics or working with different designs.

So, let’s make the switch, step-by-step. 

Snap-On Presser Feet: The “Easy” Kind (Until It’s Not)

“Snap-on” presser feet get their name because they’re designed to literally snap into place. Instead of needing screws or extra parts to attach, these feet have a small metal bar that aligns with the presser foot holder. Once aligned, a quick press of the release lever or button lets the foot snap securely onto the machine. This snap design makes switching feet super fast.

If your machine has snap-on feet, you’re in luck – it should be a simple process. Should be. Here’s how to make the swap without losing your patience (or the foot itself).

1. Turn Off the Machine (Or Use the Lock Button if You Have It)

Who hasn’t just left their machine on for “quick foot swaps”? It seems harmless, right? After all, we’re just swapping feet, not running the machine.

But here is the reality: one tiny misstep, and your foot pedal could become a pet toy, or worse – your needle could come down like a guillotine if you brush the wrong button.

So, go ahead and power it off. It’s worth the extra second to avoid an accidental start if you or the dog bumps the pedal.

If you’re using a newer model like a Brother Luminaire or Baby Lock Destiny, you don’t even have to power down. Just press the Lock button, and almost everything is safely deactivated (like the machine is “sleeping with one eye open”). The lights stay on, but nothing moves – so you’re good to go.

2. Find the Release Button or Lever and Free the Old Foot

Look behind the presser foot for a small button or lever. Give it a press, and the foot should drop. Should being the key word. If it’s stuck, double-check that you pressed the button or lever all the way down.  

And be ready! The moment that foot drops, it’s like ringing a bell for your cat; suddenly, they’re laser-focused and ready to pounce before you even reach for it. So, try to catch it as it drops, unless you want a little game of “chase the presser foot.”

Place it aside where it won’t roll away.

3. Raise the Needle Out of the Way

Turn the handwheel until the needle is raised to its highest position. This makes room for the new foot and reduces the chance of it banging against metal.

4. Position the New Presser Foot 

Line up the metal bar on the new presser foot with the slot on the presser foot holder. Be precise here. Think of it like aligning a key in a lock.

By the way, the presser foot you see in this image is a roller presser foot. It’s designed with small rollers, which allow it to glide smoothly over challenging fabrics like leather, vinyl, or other sticky and textured materials. Unlike regular presser feet, the roller presser foot reduces friction and prevents fabric from sticking, bunching, or dragging under the needle.

5. Lower the Presser Foot Lever

Slowly lower the presser foot lever so that the presser foot holder snaps onto the new foot. You should hear a slight click, confirming that the foot is secured.

No click? Lift the foot, re-align it, and try again.

But sometimes… nothing happens. No click, no snap, just the presser foot still sitting there on the throat plate. So you lift the lever, double-check the alignment, lower it again – and once more, nothing. At this point, it feels like the foot is messing with you.

Here’s the trick: after you lower the presser foot lever, you might need to press that little release button (yes, the same one you used to remove the old foot). Give it a press, and now you should hear the click that says, “We’re in business!” 

Now raise the lever again just to check the foot is firmly in place.

6. Test the Foot’s Position

Once you’re confident the foot is in place, power back on or unlock the machine. Choose a stitch you want to use with the foot and manually turn the handwheel a few times to make sure the needle doesn’t strike the presser foot.

Because you never know if it’s perfectly aligned until you try it. This also prevents any “Oops, the needle just hit the foot!” moments which happen more often than you’d think. 

✅ Related tutorial: How To Prevent Needle Strikes And Burrs On Your Sewing Machine

7. Run a Practice Stitch on Scrap Fabric

To be extra sure, run a few stitches on some fabric scraps. If the foot starts acting up, check again that it’s snugly attached. Better safe than ripping out stitches from your real project. 

✅ Related tutorial: 21 Scrap Fabric Projects to Transform Your Textile Trash into Treasure

8. Snapping on a Presser Foot Without Lowering the Presser Foot Lever

You can technically snap a presser foot on without lowering the presser foot lever. This “hover-snap” method is popular because it’s quicker and avoids extra adjustments. Just make sure the foot isn’t tilted, and you’re ready to go.

Changing Screw-On Presser Feet on High-Shank Machines and Older Machines

If your machine doesn’t have snap-on feet, here’s what to do when you’re working with screw-on feet.

1. Power Off or Lock First (Especially Important)

Powering off or locking is essential. Imagine a paw on the pedal just as you’re loosening the screw – it’s a recipe for finger danger.

2. Unscrew the Foot (Without Losing the Screw)

Use the right screwdriver that fits well.

Modern high-shank machines often come with these quirky flat metal screwdrivers, designed specifically to loosen or tighten the screws on your sewing machine. When you first spot that odd, flat metal tool in your accessories box, you might think it’s a tiny spatula, a bookmark, or some kind of mysterious sewing relic. But no – it’s actually a screwdriver.

They’re small and perfectly shaped to fit under the shank, which is tricky for a regular screwdriver. 

Loosen the screw holding the foot in place – but don’t take it all the way out if possible of course. It’s easy for those tiny screws to drop into oblivion or get picked up by a curious pet. If you drop one, be ready to hear it rolling across the floor to who-knows-where.

Slide off the old foot.

By the way, if you did lose the screw (as I did once), don’t panic: they are available separately. Just make sure they fit your sewing machine model. They probably will, these screws tend to be standard, but it does not hurt to check.

2. Line Up the New Foot

Slide on the new foot, then carefully re-tighten the screw. Make sure it’s snug, but don’t overdo it – you don’t want to strip the screw or need to bring out the pliers to remove it later.

3. Test by Hand First

Again, test the new foot with the handwheel. If it looks like it might hit the needle, take it off and re-adjust.

Changing Walking Feet and Other “Armed” Feet

Feet like the walking foot come with a small “arm” that latches onto the needle clamp, helping feed thick or layered fabrics. Unlike regular presser feet, walking feet are not snap-on. They’re not too tricky to attach – just a bit different.

For step-by-step instructions on how to install the walking foot, you can go to my detailed guide here: How to Use a Walking Foot on a Sewing Machine. This guide explains each part of the process, from positioning the arm on the needle clamp to securely attaching the foot – making it easy to set up for quilting, layered fabrics, and other projects where the walking foot shines. 

But here are the steps as well for a quick overview. Follow these, and you’ll have your walking foot securely in place and ready to be used. 

1. Power Off or Lock It First

This step is particularly important with walking feet, since their little arm actually hooks onto the needle clamp. An accidental start here is not fun.

2. Remove the Presser Foot Holder

Since walking feet don’t snap on, you’ll need to remove the presser foot holder entirely. Loosen the small screw holding it in place and set the holder aside (it’ll be back later when you return to your regular feet).

3. Position the Walking Foot and Align the Screw

With the presser foot holder out of the way, slide the walking foot into place. Line up the hole on the walking foot with the screw hole on your machine. Insert the screw, and tighten it securely – walking feet don’t like to wobble.

2. Loosen the Needle Clamp Screw Slightly

Loosen the needle clamp screw slightly so the foot’s arm has room to fit. This screw is the key to making sure your walking foot moves along with the needle.

3. Position the Arm and Tighten the Clamp Screw

Slide the foot under the presser foot holder, making sure the arm loops over the needle clamp screw. Once it’s in place, re-tighten the screw. This step is essential; without it, the foot won’t “walk” properly.

4. Test Movement by Hand

Slowly turn the handwheel to see if the walking foot’s arm moves up and down with the needle. A few test stitches will confirm everything’s in place – and working as it should.

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For anyone interested in the side cutter presser foot (the handy tool that trims fabric as you sew), I have a detailed tutorial on how to attach and use this unique foot: How to Use a Side Cutter Presser Foot.

And if you’d like to create perfect ruffles with ease, I also have a tutorial on the ruffler presser foot. It may look complex, but it’s fantastic for gathering fabric beautifully. You can find all the steps for attaching and using it here: Make Ruffles with a Ruffler Presser Foot.

✅ Related tutorial: Sewing Machine Presser Foot Guide: Types to Elevate Your Projects

Mistakes (and Mischievous Pets) to Watch Out For

#1. First off, beware the “backwards foot fiasco”. Nothing says “oops” quite like realizing you’ve installed your presser foot backwards. With the foot facing the wrong direction, your machine won’t sew at all – it’s like trying to drive a car with the wheels pointing sideways. Always double-check that your presser foot is facing forward, with the needle slot aligned properly.

#2. Next up, we have the “loose screw syndrome.” You’re merrily sewing along when suddenly your presser foot starts wiggling and wobbling like it’s doing a little dance. It sure can turn your straight stitches into a wavy mess. Always ensure that the screw is nice and tight before you start. 

#3. And let’s not forget our furry “helpers.” Your curious kitty might decide that your presser foot is the most fascinating toy ever invented. One swat of a paw, and suddenly your Teflon foot is a cat toy. Keep those paws at bay, or you might find yourself with a new “custom modified” foot courtesy of Whiskers.

#4. Watch out for the classic “wrong foot folly.” You’re all set to sew a beautiful buttonhole, only to realize you’ve got the zipper foot attached. Cue the struggle of trying to wrangle a buttonhole with a foot clearly not up to the task. A quick presser foot cheat sheet nearby can save you from these “What was I thinking?” moments.

#5. And don’t forget the “mismatched marvel.” Not all feet work with all machines, so always check that the foot you’re attaching matches your machine’s shank type. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to force a square peg into a round hole – a surefire way to turn your sewing session into a comedy of errors.

#6. Lastly, embrace the “presser foot roundup.” A small case, jar, or tray works wonders for keeping track of your growing collection of presser feet – and keeps your pets from turning them into impromptu hockey pucks. After all, nothing kills your sewing enthusiasm quite like a treasure hunt for that one specific foot you need right now. 

I was at some point curious: how many types of presser feet are there? For home sewing machines, I mean. I can’t even begin to think about the industrial machines. Well, I don’t really have an answer but certainly over 50 since there are sets of feet on sale with 30, 40 or 50+ different kind of feet:

And this does not even include more exotic feet like the ones below:

Liked this guide? Don’t forget to save this pin to your sewing Pinterest board for future reference! This way, you can easily return to this article whenever you need to change a presser foot on your sewing machine. For more creative sewing tips, tutorials, and daily doses of inspiration, make sure to follow me on Pinterest.

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