Joe, try using the right leg as the motor and the left leg just resting on the treadle and use it as a brake. I really don't know how to explain this. I have learned I can stop the needle down or up this way.

Skip

I learned on my grandma's White treadle. Like you, I wish I still had it. It was sold/given away while I was still a teenager and long before I started quilting.

Skip,
Been trying since I started treadling and the right leg just won't cooperate. I think it's due to the neck injuries and messed up nerves. I keep working on it, but so far, left leg does good, right leg don't.

Joe

Joe reverse it then use the left as the power and the right as the brake. Just a thought
Skip

Skip,

I'll try it. I realized something last night when I was using the treadle. I make more progress with it when go slow than when I try to make progress. I've got to sew the three pieces of the outer bag together and then on to the inner bag.

The fun part is when I get to the 9W-7. They rotate opposite the other Singers and that will throw me for a bit.

Joe

i'm having trouble with the upper thread breaking. i practiced with no thread and can pretty well get it going without much hand involvement, but after 8" or so, the thread breaks. is that a rhythm issue? or tension? the stitches look like the tension is right, so i'm thinking it's my rhythm. *sigh*

suggestions?

oregongirl,

If the machine stalls and then turns backwards it will break the thread.

The best cure for that is to make sure the treadle pivot points are clean of old oil, grease, thread, and dirt, then oil them good so it turns easily and do your best to treadle in a smooth rhythmic fashion. I had to turn the hand wheel by hand continuously as my foot was on the plate for quite a bit until it clicked in my brain and foot what I needed to do.

If the thread tension top and bottom is good, the needle is good, you've eliminated dirt and lint and fuzz under the needle plate, and you've got good thread, I'd be thinking the machine is stalling and trying to turn backwards on you.

Joe

Yay! All the practice has paid off and I am now free motion treadling on my 15k. This is such fun, so much more enjoyable than using my Bernina with BSR. I feel in total control and The 15 is far less intimidating than the Bernina. I'm doing a happy jig.

Clare

I know this probably sounds like a dumb question, but I'm working on restoring my first treadle machine. What kind of oil do you use for the pivot points? 3-in-1? Sewing machine oil? I haven't cleaned the base yet as I want to finish the cabinet first. Thanks.

Patricia