The #12 foot is wonderful to zigzag over 1/8" elastic, or baby elastic, as it is often called. You let the elastic run through the groove, hanging onto it at the back until you get going. It is best not to cut the elastic to size until you are through zigzagging. Then you can secure it at the first edge with a few stitches and pull it up to gather the fabric to where you want it. Then stitch over the second edge to secure.Mary M
I looked up the #12 foot and I even have one! I bought it to do mock trapunto. You use a double needle, high loft batting and a fairly simple design. It seems to work pretty well, and is much easier than regular trapunto. Sue M.
I've used the #12 to put on cording. Use a stitch somewhat away from the cord to make the cording, then come in a little to put it on the one side of what you are puting piping on, then come in a little more to finally sew all pieces together. Sews almost automatically, and you don't see your first two sets of stitches in the final piped seam.
Also have used it to put on thick fancy threads on the top. I put the thread through the cording area and then zig/zag over it. The #12 helps the thread you are puting on top to stay within the zig/zag track. You can make fancy decoration by using the decorative stitches while doing this too. Also use invisible thread if you just want to see the decorative thread, but you can get interesting effects by using contrasting thread and fancy stitches too. Barb M
I have used the bulky overlock foot for making and attaching piping as previously described. The 1630 also has a coded foot equivelant (#12C). This foot has a larger cut out on the underside, so it can sew larger sized piping. The footprint also aligns with the wider spread between the feed dogs. It will accomadate the larger interior decorating piping and cordings used for pillows and such. Wendy
Another use I have found for the # 12 foot is to apply cross-locked beads and pearls when doing embelishing on wearable art, also the satin cord (rat-tail). It feeds through the groove easily. Use either monofilament on top and regular thread in the bobbin or with the cord use a matching or contrasting color rayon or metallic on top and a zig-zag stitch. You can get a neat effect using the satin cord and a contrasting color thread. I always turn the handwheel for a couple of stitches to make sure I am clearing the beads and not hitting the foot. Have fun. Barbara in GA
Anyway, I have been using my #12 foot to put in the big tooth (plastic?) zippers. The cut-out rides right along the teeth, and I offset the needle to the left or right so I get a very close stitch. My zipper doesn't slip or slide - it's been great since I tried it! Kari