How to Tell the Shank Type of a Sewing Machine

When it comes to doing ruler work, there are two hard rules that I teach (besides have fun!):

  • Make sure you use a ruler foot on your machine to safely keep the ruler from popping over or under the foot. 
  • Make sure the foot is down before lowering the needle (conversely, raise the needle before raising the foot).
Today I want to talk about how to tell what type of shank is on your sewing machine. I get a lot of questions about what ruler foot is needed for various machines. (Shank type really doesn't apply to sit down long arms.  Most of the time, the machine owner just doesn't know which shank type they have. Once you know the shank type, then you can match up whatever brand of ruler foot you want to use.



So how do you know whether you have a low shank or high shank machine or some other shank type?

Easy peasy! First, remove the shank or foot from your machine. We're going to measure from the center of the screw hole where the shank or foot attaches.

Some machines have feet that attach at this hole, while other machines have a snap-on shank and the feet are easily interchangeable. Removing whatever is attached at the screw hole makes it easier to see the measuring point.

Now lower the presser foot lever. We need the machine to be positioned like you're ready to sew even though the foot isn't attached.

Again, make sure the presser foot lever is down.

Now measure from the bed of the machine to the screw hole.


If the distance is 1/2 inch, you've got a low shank machine.

If the distance is 1 inch, it's a high shank machine.


Above machines; low shank on left and high shank (with my beloved Janome ruler foot combination on it) on the right.

Those are the easy machines. But there are some machines that don't fit into these two main categories.

First there are some machines that are high shank machines, but the needle position is different than regular machines. These are the straight stitch only machines like the Janome 1600P and its clones: Brother 1500, Husqvarna Mega Quilter, Juki 2010, etc. These are considered a high special by Westalee.

There are some machines that fall somewhere in between high and low. Westalee categories these as medium shank machines. These are usually Pfaffs, but not all Pfaffs are medium shanks. Before declaring your machine a medium shank, make sure the presser foot lever is in the down position. Pfaffs that use a special half-way position for free motion are considered medium shanks.

Berninas are....well, Berninas. There is an adapter shank that can be used with Berninas to use with other brands' feet. This supposedly the #77 adapter, though I'm not well versed with Bernina, and will make it like a low shank, though the series 7 and 8 machines can be manipulated to use the medium ruler foot from Westalee. This gives the ability to use thicker rulers, though now Bernina has its own ruler foot for the series 7 and 8 machines.

Once you know the shank type of your machine, you can match up the foot version you need from what ever source-- we're really partial to the Janome ruler foot combination and the new Janome ruler foot for the MC15000. BTW, this applies to any foot for the most part, not just a ruler foot. At my shop in Lynchburg, we sell a lot of Janome feet to owners of Singers, Brothers, Vikings, and other machine brands not supported by a local dealer.

I hope you find this helpful.  You can see the ruler feet I sell at my site and I can help you further there.



32 comments:

  1. Great information! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thanks so much for sharing this! I've always wanted to know the difference.

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  3. I have a Series 7 Bernina and my dealer just sold me a #96 ruler foot for high shank rulers.

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  4. Thanks Amy! I've read about the measuring before but never heard to take the foot off and measure from the screw's hole! Always learning.....

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  5. Amy, I thought I had it figured out, until I got to the part "not so easy machines"....I quilt on a Brother 1300...is it a high shank? Confused...

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    1. Shirley, you've got a high special machine. It is high, but has the further forward needle position similar to the Brother 1500, Janome 1600, etc.

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  6. I have a Pfaff 2140 which when measured showed to be low and they sent me a low shank . But when I went to use it I could not get the foot low enough So I called Bill at Westelee and they said they were not sure about a Pfaff and so in replacement they sent a medium that does work but barely. If I raise the feed dogs I have lots of room for up and down position but when they are down I am at the very most top at the screw. New information on a Pfaff for me so thanks again for the info.

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  7. Amy, I do like your posts even if I don't need to work out my machine type. love the info I can pass on to friends.

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  8. This is new-to-me information, Amy, so thank you! You're a wealth of valuable knowledge, though I'm sure much of what you've picked up is from necessity, as customers come in with all types of machines. Good work!

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  9. Replies
    1. That machine takes a Westalee Ruler foot for medium shank machine.

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  10. I have a brother dz2750 is this a low or high shank machne

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    1. I had to go from a picture I found online of your machine and guess a low shank. But if you follow the instructions above and measure, you're in a better position to tell for sure.

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  11. I have a Janome Memory Craft 15000, Im confused is it a high, medium or low shank machine

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    1. The 15000 is a 9mm high shank. But if you are asking in order to get a ruler foot for your machine, get thee to your Janome dealer as there is an update available (supposed to be free in the US, but I hear a few dealers are charging) that will update the machine to have a ruler work mode which makes it able to use the newest Janome ruler foot that has just come out. If your dealer isn't aware of this or cooperative, email me and I can try to help. The new foot is the bomb!

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  12. The 15000 is a 9mm high shank. But if you are asking in order to get a ruler foot for your machine, get thee to your Janome dealer as there is an update available (supposed to be free in the US, but I hear a few dealers are charging) that will update the machine to have a ruler work mode which makes it able to use the newest Janome ruler foot that has just come out. If your dealer isn't aware of this or cooperative, email me and I can try to help. The new foot is the bomb!

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  13. Hi Amy, I have the Memory Craft 7700 and just measured as you instructed. It looks to me like it's also a 9mm high shank as it's just under an inch. I've been trying to figure out which ruler foot to get for a long time and I really appreciate this information. I'm curious about the advice you gave to Tee in November though. Is this update also applicable to the MC 7700? Do I need it or can I just use a high shank ruler foot? The part number I have is 767434005. Do you know if this will work? Honestly, I've searched Janome's website, googled it, asked on Amazon, and you have been the only help I've found! Thank you!

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    1. I highly suggest the Janome ruler foot combination, though we also sell the Westalee. First, here’s a link to our ruler foot page: https://amysquiltingadventures.com/collections/ruler-feet

      The Janome foot combination is easier to adjust the height than the Westalee. You might already have the first part, the convertible free motion foot set as it’s a great foot for regular free motion. (high shank for your 7700, but NOT 9mm) https://amysquiltingadventures.com/collections/ruler-feet/products/janome-convertible-free-motion-quilting-foot-set-high-shank

      Then you add the Frame Quilting Foot Set https://amysquiltingadventures.com/products/janome-frame-quilting-foot-set to get the ruler foot itself.

      The update I referenced above is for the 15000 only.

      If you want the Westalee, your machine would use the high shank version.

      When it comes to rulers, you can use a wide variety, either the Westalee 4.5mm (high) rulers or long arm rulers (1/4 inch aka 6mm) You do not need to match the ruler brand to the foot. I sell my favorites on the site, across several brands.

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. I just never knew how to tell. I so appreciate you taking the time to explain it to us. Now I know I have a high shank machine.

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  16. I have a Brother Innovis NV1100.
    I bought a low shank ruler foot and it just won’t quilt with it. It keeps breaking thread and skipping stitches. I spent a lot of money on various rulers and I can’t get my foot to quilt. I contacted Brother but they just sent me a link to their accessories.
    Can you give me some advice please.

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    1. Sorry my name is toni from Brittany France

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    2. Sounds like the foot needs to be lowered. It makes a huge difference when it's low on the project, but not causing drag.

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  17. Thankyou for the information very helpful

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  18. Amy, I have a Pfaff 7530. Do you know if this is a low or high shank machine? Thank you.

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    1. There are some machines that fall somewhere in between high and low. Westalee categories these as medium shank machines. These are usually Pfaffs, but not all Pfaffs are medium shanks. Before declaring your machine a medium shank, make sure the presser foot lever is in the down position. Pfaffs that use a special half-way position for free motion are considered medium shanks. Others are low shanks.

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  19. Hi Amy. I have a pq1500sl. Does not work for me with westalee foot so I contacted brother. They agreed this would be the case with this foot. Is this your experience? Is there an alternative foot for me?

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  20. Hi Amy, Not sure what shank my Brother Innovis 27 Special Edition is NV27SE. Suspect it's low shank. I've done the measuring but still can't figure it out. Your help would be appreciated. Many thanks, Sue

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