I know just how tempting those generic presser feet sets available on Amazon for around $25 are. Let me tell you why using generic presser feet isn’t such a good idea.

Why you Should Buy the Presser Feet Manufactured for your Machine vs. Generic Presser Feet

Keep reading to find out why you should buy the presser feet manufactured for your machine vs. generic presser feet.

Generic Presser Feet

A silver snap on sewing machine presser foot. It has a wide space to accommodate stitches like a zigzag stitch. It is placed on a 45 degree angle.

Generic presser feet are just that, generic. They will fit many machines well and fit others just ok. While you may not think that could potentially be a problem, it can. Do you want a costly repair bill because you thought you could cheap out on presser feet?

Generic presser feet are low shank which usually means they are snap on feet. Frequently, you need an adaptor for your machine in order to use them. I realize there are many machines that use snap on feet, but those feet that come with your machine are made for YOUR machine.

The Problems

Aligning with your Feed Dogs

Misalignment with your feed dogs is a potential problem. This means that your machine will not feed fabric properly. While you may be thinking that this shouldn’t be a biggie, wait until you have to fight your machine because your feed dogs aren’t working properly.

Zigzag Stitch not Wide Enough

Depending on your machine, you will either have a 5mm, 7mm or 9mm stitch width. Your zigzag stitch will have a default width setting. Using a generic foot, that isn’t made for your machine, can end up with the needle hitting the foot and shattering or throwing the timing out on your machine.

Of course, if you are cognizant enough and notice that the generic foot isn’t wide enough, you can adjust the stitch width on your machine (if your machine allows you to do that).

Misaligned Needle Center

You could end up hitting the foot with your needle if the foot does not align to the normal needle position. Again, you may be lucky enough to notice this and adjust (if your machine allows you to do that), but you may end up breaking a needle yet again.

My Best Advice

If you find the cost of your machine’s feet expensive, make sure you get onto your machine manufacturer’s email list and your dealer’s email list. This way, you will find out when there are sales.

Or, you could put money aside on a frequent basis to save up for the presser feet you want.

FOMO

A person in a black jacket holding a stenographer's pad with the words Fear Of Missing Out written vertical

Do not get sucked into, I have to have all of the presser feet for my machine. If you are a quilter, you don’t really need a zipper foot. If you are a garment sewer, you don’t really need a quarter inch foot. In either of these situations you could probably find a use for that foot, but why have something you won’t ever use?

Don’t get me started on the package of presser feet that come with new machines. I have never used the majority of the feet that came with my machines and likely won’t.

In conclusion, generic presser feet can cause more harm than good to your machine. Something to seriously think about before falling down the Amazon rabbit hole of generic sewing machine presser feet.