Struggling to treadle
 

I bought a Singer 15k treadle from a local charity shop. I've spent all day cleaning it up, I did some trial sewing turning the hand wheel to check it sewed ok, which it did, then I attempted to treadle, something I have never tried before and I just can't do it! I tried without thread and managed ok but with thread I keep going backwards and forwards, snapping the upper thread and generally getting in a mess. Any tips on treadling would be much appreciated.

Clare

I think I may have found my own answer to the problem.

Go away, have a cup of tea, relax and then try again!

I think I've got it now. It's fun.

Clare,

I had the same problems when I started with my Singer 66 treadle. You have to train your feet to move the correct way.
I did that buy turning the hand wheel as I let me feet sit and feel the treadle plate move under them. Then when I started to move my feet they still couldn't get the rhythm so I got mad and continued turning the hand wheel by hand as my feet fought to get the hang of it.
A do or die thing. Suddenly, like when you have an epiphany, my feet and brain connected and off I went. It took a couple days to get it down pat but I did it.

Once you get the rhythm you can actually feel the machine and with a glance start it going the right way.

Now, be sure to clean any and all lint, crud and thread out of the treadle pivot points, the pit man shaft socket and bearings and then oil it good. Put paper towels under it, don't be chinchy with the oil. It's probably been a while since it was oiled good.

Joe

Joe, I am hanging my head in shame. I confess that I had not cleaned or oiled the treadle at all in my impatience to get sewing and it was very, very dirty and very clunky indeed. I have now cleaned and thoroughly oiled it - what a difference!

Clare

Tartan,

Thank you for the technique advice. I was flexing my foot!

Clare

practice...it will come...just practice and like you said..relax..it's so much fun!!!

Here's a link for 'treadling' that I have posted previously: http://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines...totreadle.html

Clare - Go to my Youtube channel and watch "How to Treadle." It's all there, and much easier than explaining in writing.

Thank you for all the help.

Here's my practice pillowcase showing my progress. This shows the bobbin side. I'm hoping to try free motion treadling after lots more practice.

Funny, I got the rhythm but couldn't sew a straight line....for awhile.:D

That is excellent progress! Congratulations.

Free-motion treadling???!!! You over-achiever you!! I would be happy to just do a straight stitch!! You go girl!

I wish I still had my mom's treadle. That is what I learned on. Lucky you.

Well done! You'll be treadling in your sleep before long! I had to actually watch someone to learn the motion...then I was off and treadling. I really need to get my vintage treadle cleaned up and running....poor thing is tucked in it's top and I'm using it as a table for my late 40's Pinnock (which is electric).

I love my treadles. I really think treadling qualifies as aerobic exercise. Well, doesn't it???

I love my treadles too!

It definitely counts as exercise - I have the sore muscles to prove it since I started treadling this week!

Ladies I have been treadleing so It has become so natural that I don't even think about it anymore. I quess it is like riding a bike you never forget. I have not used an electric machine in years, although I have a 1967 New Home with cams and all.

I'm building a Whacky Bag with my 1913 Singer 66-1. Start - stop -start - stop ...... that is a pain in the legs with a treadle. On long stretches I can get that thing cranking and doesn't seem like work. Now if I could just get both legs to work when I treadle I'd be thrilled.

Joe

Joe, try using the right leg as the motor and the left leg just resting on the treadle and use it as a brake. I really don't know how to explain this. I have learned I can stop the needle down or up this way.

Skip

I learned on my grandma's White treadle. Like you, I wish I still had it. It was sold/given away while I was still a teenager and long before I started quilting.

Skip,
Been trying since I started treadling and the right leg just won't cooperate. I think it's due to the neck injuries and messed up nerves. I keep working on it, but so far, left leg does good, right leg don't.

Joe

Joe reverse it then use the left as the power and the right as the brake. Just a thought
Skip

Skip,

I'll try it. I realized something last night when I was using the treadle. I make more progress with it when go slow than when I try to make progress. I've got to sew the three pieces of the outer bag together and then on to the inner bag.

The fun part is when I get to the 9W-7. They rotate opposite the other Singers and that will throw me for a bit.

Joe

i'm having trouble with the upper thread breaking. i practiced with no thread and can pretty well get it going without much hand involvement, but after 8" or so, the thread breaks. is that a rhythm issue? or tension? the stitches look like the tension is right, so i'm thinking it's my rhythm. *sigh*

suggestions?

oregongirl,

If the machine stalls and then turns backwards it will break the thread.

The best cure for that is to make sure the treadle pivot points are clean of old oil, grease, thread, and dirt, then oil them good so it turns easily and do your best to treadle in a smooth rhythmic fashion. I had to turn the hand wheel by hand continuously as my foot was on the plate for quite a bit until it clicked in my brain and foot what I needed to do.

If the thread tension top and bottom is good, the needle is good, you've eliminated dirt and lint and fuzz under the needle plate, and you've got good thread, I'd be thinking the machine is stalling and trying to turn backwards on you.

Joe

Yay! All the practice has paid off and I am now free motion treadling on my 15k. This is such fun, so much more enjoyable than using my Bernina with BSR. I feel in total control and The 15 is far less intimidating than the Bernina. I'm doing a happy jig.

Clare

I know this probably sounds like a dumb question, but I'm working on restoring my first treadle machine. What kind of oil do you use for the pivot points? 3-in-1? Sewing machine oil? I haven't cleaned the base yet as I want to finish the cabinet first. Thanks.

Patricia