Things You'll Need:
- Working treadle machine
- Scraps to practice on
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Step 1
Make sure that the machine is in good working order. Run down all belts to make sure they are not broken or frayed. These belts are necessary to help "power" the machine. Refer to a manual, if you are lucky enough to have one. Make sure that the machine is threaded properly and is equipped with a good, straight needle. If all appears to be in working order, you are ready to give it a whirl.
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Step 2
Place a piece of scrap or test material under the feeder foot, just like on an electric machine. (All principles of operation are basically the same between the two types of machine.) The platform near the floor looks like a footrest. This is the pedal that powers the machine. Rest your feet on this platform. Your right foot (or perhaps the left, if you are left handed) should be at the end of the platform furthest away from you, while your left foot is closest. Whichever staggered position is most comfortable for you is what works best.
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Step 3
It will take some practice to figure out the rhythm of pushing down with the right toes, then pushing down with the left heel, to get the machine to sew smoothly. But soon you will have the machine sewing just as quickly and smoothly as its electric counterpart, and you'll be saving money, getting exercise and doing something you enjoy, all at the same time!
