How to Choose a BERNINA Cording Foot: 3 vs 5 Grooves
By Colibri Sewing | Sewing & Quilting Supplies | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to pick between the BERNINA #22 Cording Foot (3 grooves) and #25 Cording Foot (5 grooves) for pintucks and corded embellishments. A simple step-by-step guide.
Quick Answer
Pick the BERNINA #22 Cording Foot (3 grooves) for projects that need a few spaced cords or delicate pintucks. Choose the BERNINA #25 Cording Foot (5 grooves) when you want denser, more dramatic texture or plan to couch multiple cords at once.
Why Groove Count Matters
The number of grooves on a cording foot directly controls how many cords you can guide at once. More grooves mean you can create wider, more complex pintucks in a single pass, saving time and ensuring even spacing. However, a foot with more grooves is slightly wider, which can be trickier to maneuver on small or curved areas.
How to Choose Your Cording Foot
- 1. Count Your Cords: Decide how many parallel cords or pintucks you want in your design. For 1-3 cords, the #22 foot is sufficient. For 4-5 cords, you need the #25 foot. Common mistake: trying to squeeze 4 cords into a 3-groove foot. This causes uneven feeding and skipped stitches.
- 2. Check Your Fabric and Project Size: For lightweight fabrics like cotton lawn or silk, the #22 foot's smaller size offers better control. For medium-weight fabrics like quilting cotton or linen, and larger projects like throws or curtains, the #25 foot saves time. Checkpoint: if your fabric is very heavy (denim, canvas), test the foot's clearance on a scrap first; a 5-groove foot may be bulky.
- 3. Match the Foot to Your Machine Model: Both #22 and #25 feet are designed for BERNINA machines with a low shank and a specific foot holder. Confirm your machine's compatibility before purchasing. Common mistake: assuming all BERNINA presser feet fit all models. Check your machine manual or the foot's product description for compatibility.
BERNINA Cording Foot Options
- #22 BERNINA Cording Foot with 3 Grooves: The #22 Cording Foot has 3 grooves that guide up to 3 cords simultaneously. Ideal for adding a few subtle, evenly spaced pintucks or cording accents to garment details like collars and cuffs.
#22 BERNINA Cording Foot with 3 Grooves - #25 BERNINA Cording Foot with 5 Grooves: The #25 Cording Foot has 5 grooves that guide up to 5 cords simultaneously. Perfect for creating wide, dense bands of texture on quilts, home décor, or statement garments in fewer passes.
#25 BERNINA Cording Foot with 5 Grooves
