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The feet and accessories in the box cover the basics. Sewing machine attachments are what you add when your projects outgrow them: a walking foot for quilts and slippery fabric, an extension table for big pieces, a free-motion foot for quilting designs. Each one solves a specific problem, and none of them is worth buying "just in case."
The other catch is fit. Feet vary by shank, attachment style and stitch width, and extension tables are made for specific models. Below are six attachments worth buying first, with exactly what each one does and how to check it fits your machine.
Quick Picks
- Best First Attachment: Brother SA140 Walking Foot. Best for quilting, layers, plaids and fabrics that shift.
- Best Extension Table: Sew Steady Portable Extension Table. Best for a flat, custom-fit surface around the free arm.
- Best for Free-Motion Quilting: Brother SA129 Free Motion Foot. Best for stippling, darning and thread painting.
- Best Free-Motion Helper: Supreme Slider. Best for helping a quilt glide under the needle.
- Best for Applique: Brother SA147 Open Toe Foot. Best for seeing exactly where decorative stitches land.
- Best Budget Accessory: Dritz Magnetic Seam Guide. Best for straight seams on mechanical machines.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Type | Fits | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother SA140 Walking Foot | Layers, quilting, plaids | Presser foot | Listed Brother and Simplicity models, 7 mm stitch width | Moves the top layer with the feed dogs |
| Sew Steady Portable Extension Table | Large projects | Acrylic table | Cut to your machine model | 1/4" acrylic, custom fit |
| Brother SA129 Free Motion Foot | Free-motion quilting, darning | Presser foot | Listed Brother models; adapter for ULT/PC series | Clear, screw-on, hops with the needle |
| Supreme Slider | Free-motion quilting | Slick mat | Most machine beds | 8" x 11-3/4", tacky back |
| Brother SA147 Open Toe Foot | Applique, decorative stitches | Presser foot | Listed models, 7 mm stitch width | Clear plastic, wide opening |
| Dritz Magnetic Seam Guide | Straight seams | Edge guide | Metal throat plates | Magnet; check your manual |
The Best Sewing Machine Attachments, Reviewed
Brother SA140 Walking Foot: Best First Attachment
Who it's for: Anyone starting quilts, sewing thick layers, matching stripes or working with fabric that slides, like satin, minky or knits.
On a normal foot, the feed dogs grip only the bottom layer, so the top layer can creep and leave you with uneven ends. A walking foot adds its own set of feed teeth on top. They move in step with the machine's feed dogs, so both layers travel together. That's why it's the attachment most sewists buy first.
Brother's SA140 is made for 7 mm stitch-width machines, and Brother lists a long range of compatible models across its CS, CE, CX, NX, PC, SE, VX and XR series, plus Simplicity-branded machines. Brother notes that it sells several walking feet that differ in feed dog width and shank height, so confirm your model on the list or in your manual.
Its limits are about direction: Brother says walking feet aren't for reverse or side-to-side sewing, or for stitches that move the feed dogs other than forward. Use it for straight seams and straight-line quilting. Our presser feet guide explains how it compares with the other feet.
Pros
- Feeds layers evenly
- Ideal for straight-line quilting and binding
- Helps match plaids and stripes
- Genuine Brother fit on listed models
Cons
- Not for reverse or sideways stitches
- Bulkier and noisier than a standard foot
- Fits listed models only
Brother SA140 Walking Foot for 7mm Stitch Width Sewing Machines
by Brother
Sew Steady Portable Extension Table: Best Extension Table
Who it's for: Quilters and anyone sewing curtains, bags or large garments on a machine without a wide table.
An extension table slides around your machine's free arm and creates a large, flat surface level with the machine bed. The fabric no longer drops off the edge, so its weight doesn't drag the seam sideways. It's the cheapest way to get some of the benefit of a lift table.
Sew Steady tables are made in the USA from 1/4-inch acrylic (Plexiglas), and each is custom cut to fit your specific machine model, based on the maker's free-arm dimensions. Retailers list several sizes; the popular Large is 18" x 24", with a movable support leg and a printed ruler underneath.
Because they're made to order, there's a wait before shipping, and you'll need your exact model number. Depending on your bobbin design, you may need to slide the table off to change the bobbin.
Pros
- Custom fit to your machine
- Large, flat, level surface
- Clear acrylic with a printed ruler
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Made to order, so not instant
- May need removing for front-loading bobbins
- Takes storage space
Sew Steady Portable Extension Table
by Sew Steady
Brother SA129 Free Motion Foot: Best for Free-Motion Quilting
Who it's for: Quilters ready to try stippling, meandering and other free-motion designs, and anyone who darns.
For free-motion sewing, you lower or cover the feed dogs and move the fabric yourself. The SA129 makes that possible: it rises and lowers with the needle, pressing the fabric down while each stitch forms and lifting between stitches so you can move the quilt in any direction. Brother also describes it as a darning foot.
It's clear plastic with reference markings, so you can see where you're stitching, and it screws on rather than snapping on. Brother lists compatibility across many Innov-is, PC, XL, NX, CS and SQ models, and notes that ULT and PC series machines need the low shank adapter.
Free-motion takes practice. Start on a small sandwich of fabric and batting, with a medium speed and the feed dogs down.
Pros
- Lets you stitch in any direction
- Clear plastic with markings
- Doubles as a darning foot
- Wide Brother compatibility
Cons
- Screw-on, so slower to change
- Needs feed dogs lowered or covered
- Learning curve
Brother SA129 Free Motion Foot
by Brother
Supreme Slider Free Motion Slider: Best Free-Motion Helper
Who it's for: Free-motion quilters who find the quilt sticks and drags on the machine bed.
The Supreme Slider is a thin mat that sits on your machine bed around the needle. Its top is Teflon, so the quilt sandwich glides with less effort, and its underside is a pink tacky silicone that grips the machine so the mat stays put.
The standard size is 8" x 11-3/4", which retailers recommend for smaller set-in tables and slide-on acrylic tables; a queen size, 11-1/2" x 17", suits larger beds. The silicone back can be washed with warm, soapy water and air-dried to restore its grip.
It's a small accessory, but smoother movement means smoother stitches, and less shoulder strain on big quilts.
Pros
- Quilt glides with less effort
- Tacky back holds without adhesive
- Washable back
- Two sizes
Cons
- Only useful for free-motion work
- Needs positioning around the needle plate
- Tack weakens until washed
Supreme Slider Free Motion Slider, Standard
by The Gypsy Quilter
Brother SA147 Open Toe Foot: Best for Applique
Who it's for: Sewists doing applique, satin stitch or decorative stitches who need a clear view.
A standard foot has a bar in front of the needle that hides the stitch as it forms. The SA147 is made of clear plastic with a wide opening at the front, so you can see the stitch, the seam and any marked lines while you sew. Brother also describes a horizontal opening that allows a wide range of left-to-right needle positions.
It's made for 7 mm stitch-width machines, and Brother lists models including the CS6000i, XL2600i, NX450 and PC-210. As with every foot, check your exact model on the list.
Pros
- Clear view of the stitch area
- Wide opening for decorative stitches
- Handles a wide range of needle positions
- Genuine Brother fit on listed models
Cons
- Fits listed 7 mm machines only
- Plastic can scratch over time
- Not necessary for basic seams
Brother SA147 Open Toe Foot for 7mm Stitch Width Sewing Machines
by Brother
Dritz Magnetic Seam Guide: Best Budget Accessory
Who it's for: Beginners on a mechanical machine who struggle to keep seam allowances straight.
This small, inexpensive guide sticks magnetically to a metal throat plate. You slide it to your seam allowance, then butt the fabric edge against its metal fence, 1/4 inch high and 1-5/8 inches long, which keeps the edge straight as it reaches the needle. The guide itself measures 1-3/8" x 1-5/8".
The important caution: it contains a magnet. Dritz's packaging tells you to check your machine manual before using it, and Dritz's listing says it's not recommended for computerized machines. On a computerized model, use a screw-on seam guide made for your machine instead; Brother, for example, sells its SA538 seam guide for certain higher-end models.
Pros
- Very low cost
- Straighter seams instantly
- Adjustable to any seam allowance
- No tools to attach
Cons
- Not recommended for computerized machines
- Needs a metal throat plate
- Can get in the way on curves
Dritz Magnetic Seam Guide
by Dritz
Buying Guide: How to Choose Sewing Machine Attachments
Check compatibility first
Before you buy any foot or attachment, check:
- Shank type. Most modern home machines are low shank; some are high shank or slant shank.
- Attachment style. Snap-on feet clip to the presser foot holder; others, like the SA129, screw on.
- Stitch width. Feet made for 7 mm machines, like the SA140 and SA147, are listed by model; using a foot with a wider zigzag than it's designed for can break the needle.
- The compatibility list. Brother publishes exact model lists for its feet. That's the safest test.
Our sewing machine presser feet guide explains how to measure shank height.
Brand feet vs generic feet
Brand feet are made and listed for specific models, which removes the guesswork. Generic low-shank feet are cheaper and fit many machines, but finish and fit vary. Specialty feet, like walking and free-motion feet, are where a brand foot is most worth it.
Extension table vs lift table
An extension table supports fabric around the machine for much less than a lift table, and stores flat. A lift table or cabinet drops the whole machine flush with a large surface; see our guide to sewing machine tables if you're considering one. Some machines include a wide table, so check your box first.
Magnets and computerized machines
Magnetic seam guides and magnetic pin holders are handy, but Dritz itself says its seam guide is not recommended for computerized machines. Keep magnets away from computerized machines unless your manual says they're fine.
Accessories that aren't feet
- Extra bobbins in the exact class your machine uses. Our bobbin guide explains the classes.
- A good light. See our sewing machine lights.
- A case or cover for storage and travel. See our sewing machine cases.
- A knee lifter, on machines that support one, frees both hands when quilting.
Buy for projects, not for the drawer
The best attachments match what you sew now. Quilting? A walking foot, a 1/4-inch foot and an extension table. Garments? A blind hem foot and an invisible zipper foot. Our best sewing machines for quilting lists machines that include several quilting attachments in the box.
How We Chose
We didn't test these attachments ourselves. We focused on the add-ons that sewing teachers and quilters most often recommend after the standard feet, then checked each one's specs and compatibility on the manufacturer's page or, where that wasn't available, retailer listings. We preferred brand feet with published compatibility lists, and cross-checked recurring owner feedback on fit and usefulness. We left out discontinued items, like Brother's SA161 adjustable zipper and piping foot.
FAQ
What sewing machine attachments should a beginner buy first?
A walking foot is the most useful first attachment, because it feeds layers, quilts, plaids and slippery fabrics evenly. Next comes an extension table if you sew anything larger than a pillow. After that, buy for your projects: a free-motion foot for quilting, an open toe foot for applique, or a seam guide for straight seams.
Are sewing machine attachments universal?
No. Feet differ in shank height, attachment style and stitch width, and extension tables are made for specific machine models. Brother lists exact compatible models for each foot, and the SA140 and SA147 are made for 7 mm stitch-width machines. Always check your model against the compatibility list.
Can I use a magnetic seam guide on a computerized sewing machine?
Check your manual first. Dritz labels its magnetic seam guide with the warning that it contains a magnet and to check your machine manual before use, and its listing says it is not recommended for computerized machines. On those, use a screw-on seam guide made for your machine, or the guidelines on the needle plate.
Do I need an extension table?
If you sew quilts, curtains or anything heavy, yes. An extension table around the free arm supports the fabric, so its weight doesn't pull the seam off line. Some machines include one, like the Brother XR3774's wide table. Otherwise, a custom-fit acrylic table such as the Sew Steady is a common add-on.
What's the difference between a walking foot and a free-motion foot?
A walking foot feeds the top layer in step with the feed dogs for straight, even seams and straight-line quilting. A free-motion foot is used with the feed dogs lowered or covered, so you move the fabric by hand in any direction for stippling, meandering and darning.
Verdict
If you buy one of these sewing machine attachments, make it a walking foot like the Brother SA140: it fixes shifting layers on quilts, plaids and slippery fabric. Add an extension table such as the Sew Steady when your projects get bigger, and the SA129 free-motion foot with a Supreme Slider when you're ready for free-motion quilting. Whatever you buy, check your machine's model against the compatibility list first.