Brother Presser Feet

Most Brother sewing machines include 3 to 7 basic feet: a general purpose foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, and sometimes a blind hem foot and overcasting foot. The exact set depends on your model. Check your machine's manual for the included feet list. Additional specialty feet like walking feet, free-motion quilting feet, and rolled hem feet are sold separately.

Most Brother home sewing machines use a snap-on low shank presser foot system. If your machine has a small lever on the back of the foot holder that releases the foot, it uses snap-on feet. Some Brother models (like the PQ1500SL) use a screw-on high shank system, which takes different feet. Check your model number against the compatibility list on each product page, or call (800) 687-5175 and we can confirm which feet fit.

Top picks beyond the basics:

• Walking foot: Feeds multiple layers evenly. Essential for quilting, knits, and slippery fabrics.
• 1/4" seam foot: Consistent seam allowance for piecing quilt blocks.
• Free-motion quilting foot: Open-toe design for free-motion quilting and stippling.
• Rolled hem foot: Creates narrow rolled hems on lightweight fabrics without pressing first.
• Cording/piping foot: Sews close to cord or piping for upholstery and home decor projects.

Generic snap-on low shank feet will physically attach to most Brother machines, but fit and stitch quality can vary. Brother-branded feet are engineered for the specific clearances, needle positions, and feed systems of Brother machines. Generic feet may sit slightly higher or lower, which can affect stitch formation. For specialty tasks like embroidery or buttonholes, stick with Brother-specific feet. For basic utility feet (straight stitch, zigzag), a quality generic snap-on foot usually works fine.

Brother embroidery machines use an embroidery foot (sometimes called a darning foot or "W" foot) during embroidery mode. This foot has a wide opening and spring mechanism that moves up and down with each stitch. When using the same machine for regular sewing, you swap back to standard snap-on presser feet. Multi-needle machines typically stay in embroidery mode and use their own dedicated feet.