Walking Foot Sewing Machines

There are two different types of walking foot sewing machines; top and bottom feed and triple compound feed. 

Top and Bottom Feed

Top and bottom feed sewing machines feed with the walking presser foot and the teeth (feed dog). 

The needle does not feed on a top and bottom feed walking foot sewing machine.

Some examples of top and bottom feed sewing machines are:

• Juki DU-1181N
• THOR RE-0303
• Consew 205RB-1

Triple Compound Feed 

A triple compound feed sewing machine will feed material with the walking presser foot, the feed dog and with the needle.

Some examples of triple compound feed sewing machines are:

• Juki DNU-1541S
• Juki LU-1508N
• THOR GC1541S
• Seiko STH-8BLD-3
• Consew 206RB-5

Similarities

The obvious similarity is that both walking foot styles are top and bottom feed machines.

They also use the same style of needles, 135x17 and 135x16. 

For the most part, top and bottom feed walking foot machines and triple compound feed walking foot machines can use the same bobbins. 

Each one of the machines that were listed previously use an M size bobbin with the exception of the Juki LU-1508N, which actually uses a U bobbin. However, the LU-1508N can also use an M bobbin.

Both styles of walking foot sewing machines are great for sewing the following applications:

• Leather
• Vinyl
• Canvas
• Webbing
• Denim

Differences

The major difference between the two types of walking foot sewing machines is that the triple compound feed is a needle feed walking foot machine and the top and bottom feed walking foot is not a needle feed machine.

Another difference between the two types of walking foot machines is that they use different styles of presser feet. 

Triple compound feed walking foot machines are ideal for sewing some heavier weight applications that top and bottom feed machines will not sew as well.

Some examples of those are:

• Upholstery
• Thicker leathers