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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ min_height=”2748px” custom_margin=”||14px|||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”67.1px” custom_margin=”-40px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”|0px|22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
We get emails sometimes from customers asking if their machine is\u00a0high<\/span>\u00a0or low\u00a0shank<\/span>. Do you know what type you have?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n A\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0is the metal rod that holds the presser foot on your machine.<\/strong> Feet are interchangeable depending on what sewing task you are working on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/quiltadvice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/is-your-sewing-machine-high-or-low-shank-01.jpg” alt=”high and low shank sewing machine” title_text=”is-your-sewing-machine-high-or-low-shank-01″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||12px|||” custom_padding=”4px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n It\u2019s useful to know which type you have when you want to add a new presser foot to your roster, or know what type of rulers to use for free motion quilting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most domestic sewing machines are low\u00a0shank<\/span>.<\/strong> They are great at sewing quilting cottons, linens, lightweight canvases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n High<\/span>\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0machines are typically in the higher end ranges of sewing machine brands. They are meant to have space to go through things like multiple layers of denim or canvas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to measure so you know for sure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||39px|||” custom_padding=”4px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 1. Put the presser foot down on your machine<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/quiltadvice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/is-your-sewing-machine-high-or-low-shank-02.jpg” alt=”high or low shank” title_text=”is-your-sewing-machine-high-or-low-shank-02″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”76.8px” custom_margin=”||14px|||” custom_padding=”2px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n My vintage Elna Grasshopper is a low\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0machine. You can see the centre of the screw is below 3\/4\u201d.\u00a0 Low\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0is more typical for home sewing machines.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/quiltadvice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/is-your-sewing-machine-high-or-low-shank-03.jpg” alt=”sewing machine shank size” title_text=”is-your-sewing-machine-high-or-low-shank-03″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||37px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”11px||38px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n My Janome M7 is a\u00a0high<\/span>\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0machine. You can see the centre of the screw is right at the 1\u201d mark.\u00a0High<\/span>\u00a0shank<\/span> machines are less common, but they are usually a major upgrade once you\u2019ve been sewing for a while. More throat space and more power.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Most major brands like Janome and Elna have both low and\u00a0high<\/span>\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0machines in their range. Usually people who have a\u00a0high<\/span>\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0machine know it\u2019s a\u00a0high<\/span>\u00a0shank<\/span>\u00a0machine, since they bought it for that purpose. Bernina has their own classification system. They aren\u2019t\u00a0high<\/span>\u00a0or low, it\u2019s just a specific clip on system that only they use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your machine brand may also sell an adaptor so you can switch between feet and or tools. Always check your manual to find out important info specific to your machine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHow to measure your sewing machine shank:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
2. Use a rule to measure from the base of the foot to the middle of the screw that holds it on.<\/span>
3. If it measures 3\/4″ or less, your machine is low shank.<\/span>
4. If it measures 1″ or more, your machine is high shank<\/span><\/p>\n