BERNINA Corporate Blog -This month Bernina is putting the Roller Foot #51 in the spotlight.
This foot is a wonderful addition to your set as it is so versatile.
The 3 rows of rollers in the sole of foot work with the feed dogs of your machine to feed the fabric through effortlessly.
With the reduced friction between the fabric and the foot as well as the extra assistance in feeding the fabric, you can create neater stitches.
The 5.5 mm wide needle opening means that you can still zig-zag stitch as well as use decorative stitches when using foot #51.
Fabrics
It is always important to use the needle and thread that best corresponds with the fabric for optimum results.
Choose a stitch type and adjust the tension and stitch lengths to best suit the fabric choice too.
Bernina have an incredible built in resource called the Bernina Creative Consultant (it is usually available in the machines with touch screens.) This will suggest what needle and thread to use as well as adjust the settings to suit the fabric you are using.
Look for the mannequin icon, depending on your model, it might be on Home page (house icon) or one of the buttons next to the screen.
Select the type of fabric you are using (click the ? on the side and select a fabric icon to determine what it is)
Select the stitch category and the Creative Consultant will recommend the stitch, needle, thread and foot.
Below are some fabrics the Roller Foot #51 is fantastic at sewing.
The garments in the pictures were custom made by me for my clients special occasions.
Sticky fabrics
Suede Waistcoat
Leather, imitation leather/pleather, vinyl, suede, plastic.
The rollers move with the fabric as it is fed through the machine so the fabric does not stick to the foot like it would a regular foot.
Uneven weave & bulky fabrics
Tweed Waistcoat
Tweed, Bouclé.
The rollers help climb over the textured surfaces.
Plush fabrics
Velvet Dress
Velvet, Mink.
Less likely to leave harsh marks on the fabric.
Stretch fabrics
Bonbon Dress
Various types & weights of Knits, Spandex
Provides more control when feeding the fabric through the machine and reduces stretched out seams .
Delicate fabrics
Chiffon dress with Decorative Trim
Chiffon, Organza, Acetate Lining
Reduces puckering for smooth and neat seams.
How to use Roller Foot #51
My project
Pattern
I drafted my own backpack pattern but Inspiration Magazine has some wonderful patterns available to make with imitation leather:
- A Backpack as part of the Men´s Travel Accessories Set
- Rudolfo
- Lara (could still use imitation leather)
Other great bag patterns:
The free Inspiration pattern for June is the Viola dress which is made from stretch imitation leather. Another great project for the Roller Foot! Find it here: Inspiration Freebie Pattern
Fabric Choice
I used black Imitation Leather and Polycotton Lining.
For best results I adjusted the needle, thread and stitch settings when I changed over from sewing the Lining to the Imitation Leather.
Verdict
Roller Foot #51 made sewing these fabrics a dream! I used it just as I would the regular #1 foot.
The Imitation Leather did not stick which made for very neat topstitching.
I could sew pucker free seams with the Polycotton Lining. However, I would recommend adjusting the pressure of the foot so that the top layer of fabric isn’t pushed while sewn.
The rollers helped me control feeding the fabric when sewing bulky seams.
This control was exceptionally helpful when sewing at challenging angles as it worked like a walking foot.
The rollers also made securing the Webbing effortless. I couldn’t pin the Webbing to the Imitation Leather but the foot worked like a third hand so I could guide the Imitation Leather with one hand. the Webbing with the other and foot fed them together.
Check Learn More to see if the Roller Foot #51 is compatible with your machine
I would love to see what you make with the Roller Foot, please feel free to share with me and in the Bernina Community!
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-Hannah-Rose
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