These Feet Rule: Guide to choosing the right Ruler Foot for your machine
Ruler Work Quilting is the use of specialized quilting rulers to create accurate, consistent and repeatable quilting designs. From straight lines, curves, scallops, waves, and much more, these quilting rulers are butted against a specialised “Ruler Foot” to allow the sewist to free motion quilt along the edge.
When Janome first released the Frame Quilting Feet Set add on for their Convertible Free Motion Foot Set, this was a game-changer. In an instant, anyone could achieve similar results to the professional quilters seen on social media and television. With this small metal “shoe”, Janome sewists were able to achieve flawless designs with relative ease. More recently, they have created an independent Ruler Work Foot (that looks and operates similar to the regular darning foot), for those who do not have access to the Convertible Free Motion Foot Set. However, the question is now that there is a choice, what ruler foot should I use on my Janome Sewing Machine?
The Ruler Feet
The Convertible Free Motion Foot is a multi-purpose darning foot where you set the height of the darning from the fabric, allowing you to glide over your quilt (or square). Best of all, as this foot has several ‘shoes’, there is a ‘shoe’ for any sewing machine situation (including Ruler Work).
While both have the exact same seam allowance (¼”), the same ability to work with a majority of all quilting rulers on the market, and similar design, the new ¼” Ruler Work Foot is designed as a single purpose foot. As such, you can set and forget (a nice option, if you are constantly switching between quilting and general sewing on your sewing machine). Like the Full Metal Darning Foot (the single purpose darning foot based on the Convertible Free Motion Foot), this foot is comparatively well priced to its all-purpose counterpart (more on this below).
It should be noted that the ¼” Ruler Work Foot features a front cutout for increased needle visibility. With this said, the benefit is minimal for most sewists, as the needle is fully visible with both feet.
How do They Stitch?
Both options produce an identical stitch as they are practically identical (at least where it counts, the quarter-inch cup on the bottom of the foot).
What's Our Pick?
With the increased versatility, it is hard to pass the Convertible Free Motion Foot. Available in high and lower options, using the set allows you to expand your sewing options beyond traditional darning and ruler work. While the Free Motion Foot and the Frame Quilting Feet are typically sold separately and can cost around $200, there is a special with the Premium Accessories Convertible Free Motion Foot Set (including the extra Ruler Foot) for less than $120 (less than the cost of the Janome ¼” Ruler Work Foot)!
