I put my right toes on the front of the treadle left foot on the back. I give the hand wheel a spin to get it started (the hand wheel goes away from me on mine) then just go with the flow of the treadle with my feet when it starts moving. Either bare feet or socks - there is no way I can sew with shoes on unless I am using a knee pedal.

How do you keep it from pausing?

I'm so glad someone started this thread. I've been curious as heck about how to get this one I have going.

Also wanted to know how to keep this going. Had my DH put on a new belt.....it did not work well...had to keep cutting to fix it....got too short. bought another one. any hints on doing this. jacqui

I think maybe sew-classic had directions on her site

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have a treadle not yet used. I learned as a kid from my grandmother and that was Many years ago [ I feel older than dirt, LOL ]. I have learned so much from this Board and love every part of it.

Not sure what you mean by keeping it from pausing - but once you get it started with the hand wheel (your feet will be resting where you want them on the pedal as you do that) and immediately pick up on that movement with your feet and keep going it shouldn't stop until you stop it. Just guessing the foot action might not be real smooth and that is why it is pausing.

Hope this helps.

I have never sewn on a treadle so I am anxious to read the answers to this, I never thought about that b4

nope not very good foot action - I have a couple old foot injuries though - I can ride a bike. I can chew gum and walk. I can't keep the treadle going smoothly.

Don't give up! If you can ride a bike you can treadle. I gave a treadle to a friend of mine a couple months ago when he expressed interest in getting a sewing machine. He has one ankle where the bone is fused so there is no movement at all in that ankle and he can use a it. He is working on his second quilt using it.

Another thought might be that the belt is too tight, they take very little pressure to keep it moving if the belt is not too tight. If the belt is too tight it can be a workout to keep it going.