Presser Foot Pressure Tips for Thin, Thick, and Stretch Fabrics

Proper fabric feeding is key to beautiful stitching—and one of the most powerful tools for achieving it is your machine’s Presser Foot Pressure setting. Whether you're working with slippery silks, thick denim, or stretchy spandex, adjusting the pressure ensures your fabric glides smoothly under the foot without puckering, stretching, or slipping.

Let’s break down how to use this feature on your BERNINA and when to tweak it for best results.

What Is Presser Foot Pressure?

Presser Foot Pressure controls how firmly the presser foot presses down on your fabric. The default setting is 50, which works well for medium-weight fabrics. But when you switch to something thinner, thicker, or with stretch, it’s time to adjust.

How to Adjust Presser Foot Pressure

For 5, 7, 8 and 9 Series Machines:

• Tap the Presser Foot Pressure icon in the Status Bar.
  • Use the plus (+) or minus (–) buttons, slide the slider up or down or turn one of the Multi-function knobs on the outside of the machine to adjust the pressure.

For 4 Series Machines:

• Increase or decrease the pressure with the dial at the left side of the machine.

When to Adjust the Pressure

Here’s how to know when it’s time to tweak the setting:

Increase Pressure (Higher Number)

• Thin or slippery fabrics: Prevents fabric from sliding under the foot.
• Using BERNINA Dual Feed: Helps with additional feeding control.

Decrease Pressure (Lower Number)

• Thick fabrics: Reduces resistance and allows smoother movement.
• Stretch fabrics (like spandex): Prevents pulling and distortion while sewing.

Tip: Always test your settings on a fabric scrap before sewing your project.

A Note About Defaults

Presser Foot Pressure settings reset to default (50) when the machine is turned off. If you’ve found the perfect setting for your project, make a note so you can dial it back in when you power up again.

With just a few taps or turns, you can fine-tune your BERNINA for flawless fabric feeding—no matter what material you’re working with.

Keep Making Stitches!