I was having an issue with the treadle belt for one of my machines. It had broken off at the staple hole and it was just a bit too short. Someone suggested getting it damp so it would stretch. Another suggested a spring...and it got me thinking...It really was only about a quarter inch too short when I really looked at it, so I took embroidery floss, doubled it, used a crochet hook to pull it through the belt and tied it to the staple, wound it around a few times and tied it. It works!