What Does Shank Mean in Sewing?

Many people love doing sewing projects and are interested in how a sewing machine could up their crafting game, but they are discouraged by how complex these machines can be and all of the terminology that comes along with them. 

However, just like with any skill, a better understanding of sewing machine anatomy is easy to build by simply taking one step at a time. 

If you’ve never heard of shank before, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into this sewing term, what it means, and how it relates to different parts of sewing machines.

High Shank vs. Low Shank: What’s the Difference?   

The shank on a sewing machine is a piece of metal that connects the main part of the machine to its presser foot. Though a few sewing machine brands don’t use a shank at all, the vast majority of sewing machines used in homes and commercial settings have either high shank or low shank feet. 

High shank machines tend to be fancier, high-end machines, as they are particularly equipped to create complex embroidery and complete other tasks that the standard home sewing machine can’t do. Additionally, most industrial-grade sewing machines will be high shank to handle the sheer volume of work that they perform daily. 

If you own a standard sewing machine designed for home use, your machine is likely low shank. You can check the shank of your sewing machine by taking a ruler and measuring the distance from your sewing machine bed to the center of your presser foot when it’s pressed down. 

If this distance is only about half an inch, you have a low shank machine. You have a high shank machine if the distance is one inch or greater. 

If your measurement is between three-quarters of an inch and one inch, you may have a slant shank, which is present in some older models in the Singer brand. However, these are rare and generally not in use anymore. 

Presser Feet and Shank 

There is a wide variety of presser feet that you can use to complete different tasks with your sewing machine. Some are snap-on, some are screw-on, and some are press-on, depending on their construction and function. Just make sure you know the shank of your sewing machine before purchasing any new presser feet attachments. 

Learn more about sewing machine tips, crafting supplies, and much more by contacting GoldStar Tool.