There's a website and corresponding email list called TreadleOn. I joined the list when I got my first treadle hoping to learn to restore it and use it. TOGA's are held once a year but there are many in different places. The one closest to me was this past weekend. I got to go Friday and Saturday. I did go for half a day last year and everyone was wonderful and helped me get my machine running. This year though I felt like I knew at least a little of what I was doing! :-) I took a quilt top to display and took the classes that were offered. First was a zipper class. Oh you don't know how I have avoided zippers over the years! The girls would find a pattern they liked and if it had a zipper I would make them pick something else out! Edna though showed us how to put zippers in and made it look so easy! Now I'm not afraid to try. Got my trusty handcrank ready to go. Then we did a class on a 4patch block...made 4 cuts on it and it looks so good! That took up most of the day Friday. Oh did I mention lunch? We all had the best lunch at a little local place. I had country fried steak that was so tender, field peas and mashed taters. The big hits though were the fried green beans and the sweet potato fries. Then Saturday was a paper piecing class. I finally get paper piecing! YEAH! I have spent hours trying to get it by studying it online and it just wasn't crystal clear to me! Now a few of us did do some grumbling but we got it. It was a great weekend and I can't wait till next year to go back!

Love your blocks and your handcrank. I have a handcrank too! Along with a none working treadle (just for decoration I guess), a Featherweight, and several other vintage machines.

Aw, sounds like alot of fun! Are you in the picture??????

no these were pictures I was taking. it was a whole bunch of fun!

I was looking for a real toga! Really, it sounds like you had so much fun!!!

It looks like a good time was had by all!! Glad you did too and want to go for another TOGA party,lol!!!

Glad you went and learned so much :thumbup:

So did you put a zipper in yet :wink: LOL

lol! right now I haven't had time to even find my sewing machine in the mess the kids made while I was gone!

Ginnie,

You are so lucky. I have joined that site and have been hoping to find a TOGA near me. No luck, the closest will be in the spring and it is about a 7 hour drive. I may go anyway. I like the site and am using their advise also to get me to a functioning treadle.

That looks like so much fun. What a great time.