I think once you get your rhythm, you will be fine. I treadle with my right foot forward and my left foot back. When I want to stop I press the treadle completely down with my left foot and the machine stops on a dime. I've been working on the fans for a dresden plate and haven't had a bit of trouble. You'll get it!

MimiBug,

What is a "Dresden plate"?

Joe

I'm using oxygen tubes for belts. I cleaned the treadle wheel and the machine head wheel with alcohol (vodka). I kept the dampened cloth against the wheel surface while treadling the machine. I was amazed at the gunk! I repeated until the cloth remained clean.

It's a quilt pattern that has little "spoked" pieces radiating out from a center circle. It's very vintage and one of my favorites. You have to sew across the little ends of the spoke pieces, so it's lots of stopping and starting. DH wanted to know why I was doing it on that machine instead of one of the electric ones. I just felt like doing it on a treadle. Yes, he thinks I'm nuts.

Sorry, Joe, I wasn't paying any attention to who was asking for help.

Cool if you drink enough of the Vodka it won't matter if the machine treadles right or not!!!

:D You made me laugh this morning! Thanks! :D

My neighbor is in her 70's, and has several treadles that she uses to sew leather...she still operates a small business doing leather repair and making new items...anyway...she takes a piece of sandpaper and roughens up her new belts...she says they grab better that way...

Now that I can do.

Joe

I read somewhere that a few spots of violin bow rosin adds enough "grab" for aquarium tubing. You probably don't have some on hand, do you?