I am a brand new treadler! I was afraid that I would never get the hang of it but right now I am in the middle of a quilt that I will be proud to say I did completely on the treadle!!! I had cleaned and oiled the treadle machine and irons throughly before using it. Just recently I reoiled it with Tri-Flow Sewing machine oil (bought at Sew-Classic.com) and it made a tremendous difference. I think that it is much easier to "peddle" now. I have to say that I am having a great time with my 1915 Singer 15-30.