presser foot

American  

noun

1. a forked, metal device on a sewing machine used for holding the fabric in place while stitching.

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Etymology

Origin of presser foot

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

presser foot

Coughing from the sweatshop’s foul air, Fannie dropped the presser foot onto a new seam.

From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell

He studied the small heap of light blue cloth still held in place by the machine’s presser foot.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

The presser foot was made of metal but shaped like an open _ into which was slid a small glass plate, with a hole for the needle descent.

From The Invention of the Sewing Machine by Cooper, Grace Rogers

This unusual example featured two semidraped female figures holding the spool of thread, a mermaid holding the needle, a serpent which served as the presser foot, and a heart-shaped baster plate.

From The Invention of the Sewing Machine by Cooper, Grace Rogers

At right, an original brass plate from the same type of machine with needle arm and presser foot and arm, serial number 119; the plate, however, does not fit the machine correctly.

From The Invention of the Sewing Machine by Cooper, Grace Rogers