Darning Foot, How to Use a Free Motion Foot (Easy!)

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Learn all about the darning foot! This sewing machine presser foot is used for darning and free motion quilting, embroidery, and sewing. Unlike most other feet, it has the ability to sew in all directions as well as over numerous layers. This tutorial will look at the various uses, the types, and how to use a darning foot. The special feature of this foot is that it lifts up and down as the needle goes up and down. This spring-loaded design gives the fabric free passage under the foot.

How Use a Darning Foot (Quick Guide)

To use a darning foot:

Remove the regular presser, then attach the darning foot to your sewing machine by either snapping or screwing it in place.
Lower the feed dogs with your lever or dial.
Place the fabric in an embroidery hoop or use a stabilizer underneath.
Start sewing with a straight stitch in a medium or small length.
Guide the fabric with both hands in a pattern.

What is a Darning Foot

The darning, machine embroidery, or pogo foot, does the trick of sewing perfect machine darning. This versatile foot can be used for free-motion sewing and machine quilting, embroidery, monograms, and even the creative art of thread painting.

Read the full guide to sewing machine feet for beginners.

Darning used to be a very skilled art of repairing knitted items, in particular socks. The darning was done with the help of a mushroom, a round, firm piece of wood inserted into the sock. Now, with modern technology and sewing machine attachments, darning can be done by machine using a darning foot.

Uses of a Darning Foot

The main purpose of a darning presser foot is:

Free motion embroidery
Free motion quilting
Monograms
Thread painting
Darning and repairs

Let’s take a closer look at those five techniques using the darning foot.

1. Free Motion Embroidery

Many embroidery projects using simple machine stitches are easily handled with the darning foot or free-motion embroidery foot.

Draw on your design with a washable marker. Attach the darning foot and then follow the pattern you have drawn. Start with a few straight anchor stitches, and then away you go.

2. Free Motion Quilting

The darning foot acts in the same way as the free motion quilting foot. The art of meandering over the quilt with its sandwich of backing, wadding, and the quilted fabric is made much easier with a darning foot. It is a good substitute for the free motion quilting foot.

3. Monograms

Monogramming can be added to an item using the darning foot because the darning foot allows the machine to go over the same area several times. This technique needs some practice to get the stitching even.

Use up some scraps of fabric to get it right, especially as the stitch length is determined by the speed of the machine. Use a zig-zag stitch with a 0-0.5 length.

4. Thread Painting

This is a very creative and fascinating sewing technique. Painting with thread as the medium to create designs and pictures on fabric is very rewarding.

Use a marking pen to outline the design and fill it in with different colors of thread. Different threads can add variety and style to the composition. A variegated thread is a winner for creativity because every design will be different.

5. Darning and Repairs

This foot was made for exactly this job. Mending can be done with strength and is as invisible as possible.

How to Attach the Darning Foot

When using the darning foot, it is important to either cover or lower your feed dogs. Refer to your sewing machine manual for instructions for adjusting the height. The long bar on the darning foot hooks on top of your needle bar. This up-and-down motion will move the foot. The foot is generally attached with a side screw, but it may vary from machine to machine.

How to Use a Darning Foot

Below are the steps to mend a tear using the darning foot on a sewing machine.

Step 1 – Add Backing Fabric

Cut a piece of backing fabric to place behind the tear. Neaten the tear as much as possible without making it bigger. Choose a backing fabric of the same fabric or one as close as possible in color to the original fabric. Pin or baste the backing fabric onto the reverse side of the tear.

Step 2 – Sewing with a Free Motion Presser Foot

Thread the needle and the bobbin in a color as close to the fabric as possible. Start by sewing with the darning foot in a back and forth over the tear in a vertical fashion.

Sew over the tear in a horizontal direction to cover the area needing repair. Have a look at your handiwork to be sure you have covered the tear with sufficient stitches to make it repaired.

Step 3 – Finishing Off

Finish off by tying the threads at the beginning and the end. Turn the garment over and trim away any excess fabric around the tear. Press the tear and admire your handiwork. It may be noticeable, but it will not tear further.

If you think your tear sticks out and ruins the look of your garment, then here are a few cover-up ideas to try at the end of the repair job.

You could make a pocket to go over it or sew on a decorative patch. You could add a motif or even a button or some interesting embroidery. A nasty tear does not have to ruin one of your favorite garments.

Darning Foot Types

The darning foot comes in different styles. Here are some of the variations.

Open Toe or Closed Toe – This means the part of the foot the needle moves in may be completely closed, like an oval or it may be open at the front. The opening at the front makes it easier to thread.
Sprung or not Sprung – The foot that is sprung has the ability to walk over a thicker piece of fabric or quilting. However, some embroidery projects may be better off with a foot that does not spring so much.
Big or Small – Yes, just like shoes, your darning foot can be big or small. The bigger foot will be more stable and may even have markings for guidance. The disadvantage of a bigger foot is it may have difficulty getting into smaller areas.
Plastic or Metal – The choice may not be up to you because the foot that best attaches to your machine make could be either of these materials. The bigger darning feet are usually plastic, and the smaller ones are made of metal.
Low Shank or High Shank – The darning foot comes in different shank heights to suit your machine.

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Darning Foot – In Conclusion

Take some time for creativity with your darning foot. Double threads through the needle to add variety. Embroider with ribbon and write pretty names, or add some appliqué.

The whole idea of darning has taken on a new mantra. Gone are the old-fashioned mushroom and thread days. Instead, darning has become a fabric art form, and even if you have a tear in your favorite blouse, the daring foot or free motion foot will see it mended, monogrammed, and embroidered.

Author - Luisa Clare

Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.

Darning Foot, How to Use a Free Motion Foot (Easy!)

How Use a Darning Foot (Quick Guide)

What is a Darning Foot