A Foot For All Seasons: Adjustable Binding Foot

Adjustable Binding Foot Image source: Husqvarna Viking

For the past couple of years, I’ve been entranced with the various feet that are now available for sewing machines. My first post for the Sew Chicago blog declared my obsession for presser feet. Since that post, I did purchased the pintucking foot — and took Evelyn Cummings’ (Desparate Stitchers NG) Heirloom Sewing Camisole class — and the flower stitch foot.

Recently, I was talking to Arizona L. (Sew Chicago NG) about applying binding to a project, she told me about one of her favorite feet: the Adjustable Binding Foot. Adjustable? Oh, do tell, Arizona!

Bias edged capris by Arizona L.

Arizona has growing children at home, so she’s often keeping up with keeping her active bunch clothed. She told me that bias binding is not only a way to put color, but also an easy way to finish edges. Why not? It’s kids clothes and who knows how long they’ll wear it. This is a mom who realizes her time and the amount of time that her kids will wear and tear through the clothes.

So, after Arizona showed me how easy it is to thread the bias binding through the guide; adjust the guide snug against the binding; then set and start the binding to feed the fabric, I knew I had to have this foot. I’m not a gadget person, but as I said, I’ve been entranced with the variety of presser feet available.

Before, I had been applying binding either the quilters’ way of laying the double-folded binding with raw edges matched and sewing up the shorter side on the project back, then folding the binding around and either hand-sewing or machine sewing on the front. A multiple step process. Or I would sandwich the fabric between the binding; sew a length; position a new section together and sew another length, like I did for my sewing machine cozy.

Image source: sewingmachinefoot.com

Foot Examination

The Adjustable Binding Foot has a screw on the side that pushes a v-shape guide on the right side to snug up against your fabric. You thread your binding through here. You’ll see that it leaves a reverse C-shape between the sleeve to feed your fabric through.

The sewist only has to make sure that the fabric is feeding all the way to the right. The section where the binding feeds is clear, so you can pretty much see how your fabric and binding are going to join. The area that the fabric feeds through is large enough to feed a quilt sandwich. I used it to attached fold-over elastic to fleece to make a circle vest for my mom. Both fleece and fold-over elastic flew through their respective openings on the curve with no problems.

The needle hole is wide enough that you could do a zig-zag stitch; move your needle to the left to just catch the edge of the binding; or even use a decorative stitch to catch your binding.

There are universal-type Adjustable Binding Foot attachments or check to see if your machine’s company makes one that will fit your exact model.

For a detailed instruction how to use this foot, check out this video from Mac Berg of Vogue Fabrics. In the video, Mac starts by showing how to make your own bias binding, then shows how to use the Adjustable Binding Foot.

Bias Binding – An Edging For All Types of Sewing

Fold-over elastic on knitwear. Image source: Craftstylish

Whether you focus on sewing garments, home dec, accessories or crafts, binding edges is not only a way add color and texture to your project, but with the Adjustable Binding Foot, it’s also much easier now.

I hope this inspires you to explore binding and maybe even adding to your presser foot collection. If you already have this foot; have any tips to using this foot or any tips about binding, leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you! Or upload a picture of your bound project on the ASG Chicago Members’ Project Flickr album and show off your wonderful work!