A metal or plastic attachment on a sewing machine that lowers onto the fabric, applying downward pressure. It works in tandem with the feed dogs below to move the layers of material evenly through the machine as the needle stitches.
Heard on the job
Swap out the standard presser foot for a zipper foot before you sew that seam.
Insider tip
Forgetting to lower the presser foot before sewing is a classic rookie mistake that results in a massive tangle of thread on the underside of the fabric.
Also heard as
- Foot
Related terms
Feed dog
The metal teeth under the needle plate of a sewing machine that pull the fabric forward.
Lockstitch
The standard mechanical stitch formed by interlocking a top thread and a bottom bobbin thread.
Serger
A specialized sewing machine that trims fabric edges and encloses them in thread simultaneously.