Welcome to the board from PA, Lesa. I think it's GREAT that you are making something for your mom! I'm sure she will love it, no matter how imperfect you may think it is. It is being made with love and she will cherish it, no doubt. We have lots of treadle experts here who will be happy to help, and I've heard of a group called TreadleOn who prefer them too. You've come to the right place.