A high shank machine (which is often an industrial sewing machine) sits about 1¼” from the presser foot screw to the bottom of the foot.Lower the presser foot and measure the distance from the bottom of the presser foot to the screw-hole secures the foot to the presser bar. If you are uncertain what you have, it's easy to measure. However, if the presser foot screws on, then it is either a high shank, low shank, or a slant shank machine. Most Viking, Brother, Pfaff, and Japanese-made machines use snap-on feet. If your machine's foot isn't attached with a screw, it's a snap-on part that is connected with a shank adaptor. Most machines made since the 1980s use snap-on presser feet, with the exception of Berninas, which will need an adaptor. Sewing Machine Feet and Attachments Choosing the Right Sewing Machine Feet: Snap-On? Low Shank? High Shank?
