If you are new to buying sewing machines, you should know what sewing machine will be perfect for enhancing your sewing experience. There are various options in the market, and each option comes with an upgrade each year. You will usually find a low shank sewing machine used for domestic purposes and helps you sew zippers, buttonholes, and hems on a lighter fabric like cotton linen and synthetic cloth.
A high shank machine is used for fancy embroidery and therefore is more expensive than a low shank sewing machine. This review is all about what a low shank sewing machine is and where to find it on your machine. Keep reading this review because you will get to know the detailed information about a low shank sewing machine, and you will quickly identify if your sewing machine is a low or high shank.
Table of Contents
How to tell If Machine is Low Shank?
Low Shank Sewing Machine
While reading this guide, the first question that will come to your mind will be, what do I mean by a low shank sewing machine. A low shank sewing machine like Brother CE1100PRW is used for day-to-day sewing jobs and cannot perform high-end sewing tasks like expensive fancy embroidery.
Moreover, it is essential to know if your machine is a low shank or high shank because it will help you find a perfect replacement or accessories for your sewing machine. A perfect sewing machine with the correct upgrade will result in a fantastic sewing experience.
Importance Of Shank’s Height In A Sewing Machine
Shank is a metal rod that tells you about the distance between the bottom foot and a screw of a sewing machine. Its purpose is to connect the pressure foot with a sewing machine. There are machines like Bernina sewing machine models which are in a different class as they make shanks that are specific to their machines alone. If you want to change the sewing machine’s pressure foot, you should know about the height of the shank, whether it is low or high.
Furthermore, if the shank is low, you will be able to fit cloth under the pressure foot that is soft because of less space beneath the sewing machine’s foot. If the shank is high, the distance beneath the pressure foot will be more that will enable you to sew bulky fabric.
How To Know If Your Machine Is A low Or High Shank?
If you want to know whether your sewing machine is a low or high shank, you will need to measure the shank size. For this purpose, you will need a measuring tape or ruler. First of all, lower the pressure foot, so it becomes completely flat. Now place a ruler and measure the distance between the base of the pressure foot to the thumbscrew.
The measurement will help you find if you have a low or high-shank sewing machine. If the shank size is 3 / 4 inches or below, it means your machine is a low shank sewing machine. If the shank size measures 1 inch or more, it means your sewing machine is a high shank machine.
Changing High Shank Into A Low Shank Sewing Machine
You can change a high shank sewing machine into a low shank by using a shank adapter. With the help of a shank adapter, you can convert your sewing machine to explore more about the sewing process. Moreover, it also allows you to attach different pressure feet to your sewing machine to have an extraordinary sewing experience.
While using a shank adaptor, it is essential to know about the pressure feet of your sewing machine. Basically, there are two types of pressure feet. One type is snap-on pressure feet, and the other is screw-in pressure feet. Knowing the type of feet is important because it will help you place the shank adapter in the correct position.
Low Shank Vs. High Shank Sewing Machine
If you sew for a hobby or are a beginner, a low shank sewing machine is best for you. A low shank sewing machine has all versatile options used for the best sewing experience. It is ideal for home use and allows you to upgrade its parts when needed. The low shank sewing machine is affordable and performs all the important functions.
A high shank sewing machine is used at the industrial and commercial level to sew a more bulky and challenging fabric. Moreover, it is also used for high-quality embroidery. The high shank sewing machine is costly, and most people cannot afford it. Moreover, you cannot upgrade parts of the high shank sewing machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if I have a low shank sewing machine?
If you want to know the shank height of your sewing machine, you will need a measuring tape or a ruler. Lower the pressure foot so it is flat wholly. Now place a ruler and measure the distance from the base of the pressure foot to the screw thumb. If the distance is 3 / 4 inches or less, your sewing machine is a low shank machine.
What is the use of a low shank sewing machine?
A low shank sewing machine is used to perform simple to complex tasks. We use a low shank sewing machine to perform day-to-day tasks. With a low shank machine, you can easily sew soft and simple fabrics like cotton, linen, and synthetics. Moreover, this machine is best for beginners, hobby sewers, and homeowners.
Why is it important to know the shank’s height?
Shank height is vital for upgrading your sewing machine parts. If you would know about the shank’s height you can easily opt for the pressure foot. Shank is a metal rod that connects the pressure foot with a sewing machine. Shank can be low or high. The low shank will have less space beneath the pressure foot and is ideal for soft sewing cloths.
Conclusion
Sewing is a fun hobby, and it can be successful if you have a perfect tool for sewing a cloth. You can upgrade the sewing machine depending on your usage. It is essential to know what type of shank your sewing machine has to upgrade its parts. If you have a low shank sewing machine, the upgrade is easy and quick. It was a detailed review about what a low shank sewing machine is and where to find it on your machine. This review will help you find a perfect upgrade for your sewing machine.