What Is A Low Shank Sewing Machine?

With there being so many things to know about sewing like all the different abbreviations like Inc. Things like quilting machines, embroidery hoops, and other what nots can make it even more frustrating. Then there are the different types of sewing machines as well! It gets increasingly more difficult to know which sewing machine to buy when you are starting out as well! One of the things that I often find beginners asking is what is a low shank sewing machine and is it good or not?

To answer the question, most sewing machines that you have seen are probably all low shank sewing machines! There is a certain way to identify them so let’s see how you can do that, what a low shank sewing machine actually is, and what are the benefits it has over a high-shank sewing machine!

Key Takeaways

• We have discussed low shank sewing machine and its different features.
• We have gone through the difference between a low-shank sewing machine and high shank sewing machine.
• We have also discussed different uses and presser feet for low-shank sewing machine.

What Is A Low-Shank Sewing Machine?

A sewing machine that has a smaller-than-average sewing needle is known as a low-shank sewing machine. When you want less friction among fabrics with faster and more accurate stitching, you will need this machine. Jersey fabrics or cotton twill fabric have a low thread count, so low-shank machines can be used to sew these fabrics. This machine uses low-shank presser feet and attachments. The shank is a part of the presser foot which will be attached to the sewing machine and the shank holds the presser foot in place while sewing.

The shank of low-shank sewing machines is shorter than other types of sewing machines, and the shanks are used with smaller and lighter presser feet and attachments. This machine is used for basic sewing tasks, such as straight and zigzag stitching. If you are a beginner or a hobbyist or a home sewer, you can use this machine, as they are affordable, too. You can choose from Singer, Brother, and Janome for low-shank sewing machines.

Identifying shank height of sewing machine

First identify the shank of the sewing machine, to determine if it is a low-shank sewing machine. The shank is the part of the sewing machine which will hold the presser foot in place. It is located at the back of the sewing machine, near the needle.

To find the shank of your sewing machine:

• The presser foot is a metal bar that sits above the needle and holds the fabric in place.
• Find a metal rod or bar that will extend upward from the back of the presser foot. It is called the shank.
• Measure the distance from the top of the shank to the bottom of the presser foot. When the measurement is less than 1 inch (2.54 cm), your sewing machine is a low-shank machine. When the measurement is higher than 1 inch, your sewing machine is a high-shank machine.

Why The Height of The Shank Is Important?

There are a few reasons which will determine the importance of knowing the height of the shank.

1. If a shank is too high, it could cause less trouble and rubbing or pressure on the foot, on the other hand, if a shank is too low, it will not provide enough support. The height of the shank will vary. So, the ideal shank height will depend on the use of the shoe and the preferences of the wearer.
2. The height of the shank will affect the stability and support that is provided by the shoe. If the shank is higher, it will provide more stability and support, which is beneficial for activities that will require a lot of walking or standing, and for people with flat feet or other foot conditions that will require extra support.
3. A lower shank is very flexible and it will allow a wide range of motion, which is beneficial for activities that require agility or flexibility, such as running or dancing.
4. The height of the shank will affect the appearance of the shoe. Shoes with a higher shank have a formal or traditional look and shoes with a lower shank have a casual or modern appearance.

Sewing Feet for Low-Shank Sewing Machine

For low-shank sewing machines, several types of sewing feet can be used. Some of the examples are given below:

1. Standard Presser Foot: Standard presser foot is the most common sewing machine which is used for basic sewing tasks.
2. Zipper Foot: This foot is narrow and slides along the zipper teeth. This makes it easier to sew a zipper in place.
3. Buttonhole Foot: You can create buttonholes with consistent size and shape with this foot.
4. Blind Hem Foot: When you need a virtually invisible hem on garments, for your pants and skirts, this foot will be useful.
5. Overlock Foot: An overlock seam is a type of seam that is strong and flexible and this foot will let you create an overlock stitch.
6. Satin Stitch Foot: If you need a satin stitch, this foot which has a wide, flat sole will help you create it.
7. Embroidery Foot: This foot has a clear plastic base, which will allow you to see the embroidery design as you sew, it is used for embroidery.
8. Quilting Foot: This foot is essential which will make it easier to guide multiple layers of fabric through the machine while quilting, this foot has a wider base than a standard presser foot.
9. Walking Foot: This foot is comprised of a set of feed dogs on the underside that works in conjunction with the feed dogs of the machine to feed the fabric through the machine. This foot is useful for sewing through multiple layers of fabric or for fabrics that tend to slip or shift.

Comparison Between A Low-Shank Machine And A High-Shank Machine

A low-shank sewing machine is more versatile than a high-shank sewing machine, a low-shank sewing machine can accommodate a wider range of presser feet and attachments than a high-shank sewing machine. The shank is a part of the presser foot that will keep it in place, and the height of the shank is the distance from the needle plate to the bottom of the presser foot, a low shank machine has a shorter distance between these two points, which will allow it to use a wider range of presser feet and attachments.

On the contrary, a high-shank machine has a longer distance between the needle plate and the bottom of the presser foot, which will limit the range of presser feet and their attachments that can be used with it. For this reason, you cannot use special presser feet or attachments that are not compatible with a high-shank machine.

Benefits of Using A Low-Shank Sewing Machine

A low-shank sewing machine can have several benefits, it depends on the type of sewing and any specific feature of the machine. There are some potential benefits of using a low-shank sewing machine:

1. Compatibility: You will get a wider range of sewing feet which are typically compatible with low-shank sewing machines, that include Snap-On feet and other types of feet. These feet will make your sewing machine more flexible and versatile.
2. Easier To Operate: If you are a beginner, you can easily operate low-shank sewing machines. They have fewer parts and they are easy to operate. This machine uses less pressure than a standard sewing machine, which will let you sew faster with less hand fatigue.
3. Accessibility: If you are suffering to move your hands and legs properly or if you have limited dexterity, then low-shank sewing machines will be more accessible to you to reach and operate.
4. Cost: Low-shank machines are more affordable than a standard sewing machine and they also last longer. If you are a beginner or if you are not looking for advanced features and capabilities of sewing machines.
5. Accuracy: This machine stitches perfectly, so it has more accuracy than a standard one.
6. Comfortable: A standard sewing machine is bulkier than a low-shank machine, so you will be able to sew with less strain on your hands.
7. Durability: The low-shank sewing machine puts less pressure which makes it more durable than standard ones.
8. Portability and convenience: This machine is lighter than a standard machine, so it is easier to transport.
9. Reliability: The low-shank machines are more reliable as they don’t have many moving parts and they are durable.

A Low Shank Sewing Machine Is A Better Fit For Beginners

If you are a beginner, a low-shank sewing machine will be a better sewing machine for you. A low-shank machine has a shorter distance between the needle and the presser foot, which will make it easier to reach the needle and make adjustments to the fabrics. If you are a beginner, it will be helpful for you to learn how to sew and make frequent adjustments to the fabric. Low-shank sewing machines are less complicated and they don’t show a lot of mechanical problems, although, if you are learning to troubleshoot and fix problems with your machines, then this can be frustrating for you. A low-shank sewing machine is a good choice for beginners because you can use it easily and it is more user-friendly than a high-shank machine, at the same time, it is challenging for those who are just beginners.

Conversion Method of High Shank Into A Low Shank Sewing Machine

There are a few steps that you can follow to convert a high-shank sewing machine to a low-shank sewing machine:

• Low-shank machines have a shorter, wider shank which will sit closer to the bed of the machine, high-shank machines have a longer, narrower shank that sits on the high top of the machine. Determine which type of shank your sewing machine uses.
• You can purchase a low-shank conversion kit, which is designed to use low-shank feet and attachments on the high-shank machine, which will include a new shank and mounting plate which will be installed on the machine in place of the high-shank.
• You can follow the instructions which are included with the conversion kit to install the new shank and mounting kit. This will involve removing the existing high shank and then attaching the new low shank in its place.
• You can test the machine to ensure that it is working properly and that the new low shank is attached securely.

The Uses of A Low Shank Sewing Machine

Low-shank sewing machines are used for embroidery or these types of sewing projects often because they will produce more precise stitches. Low-shank sewing machines can be used for a wide range of sewing projects, such as quilting, embroidery, darning, and general sewing tasks. Many sewers prefer to work on projects with low-shank sewing machines because they are capable of doing a lot of fabric manipulation or if you need to make intricate or detailed stitches. If you want to buy a low-shank model, you should know that they are not compatible with certain types of presser feet or attachments, so you should check the compatibility before making a purchase.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

In this article, we have discussed low-shank sewing machines. A low-shank sewing machine is a type of sewing machine with a shorter shank, or distance between the needle and the hook when you compare it with other types of sewing machines. Quilters and sewers are commonly used in the low-shank sewing machine as they work with smaller fabrics and projects because a shorter shank will give more precise and accurate stitching. They have smaller sizes and they do not have many features, although, they are capable of producing high-quality sewing projects.