Well, I hate to admit to being an idiot, but the reason the treadle felt a little tight was that I had the bobbin winder engaged. As soon as I released it, the treadle worked great. I've always thought I was born about 100 years too late, but I doubt that I could have managed all the manual dexterity those times called for; not to mention the heavy hard work. But I do sometimes day-dream about quilting bees and church "dinners on the ground". I can barely remember them. But those were still happening in the 40s in rural Arkansas where I was raised.