Joe, that's a really beautiful machine and I know you treasure it because it was your mother's. I have my mother's treadle machine, but haven't tried to use it. We just use it as a table and I love just having it. I also have the first sewing machine my parents gave me in high school. It is a Singer--probably about 1973 or so. I haven't even opened the case since I started quilting about 9 years ago and bought a Bernina. Lately I've been thinking about it because I think it's steel and sturdy and maybe now that I know a little more about sewing I could make it work for me.