I'm making a baby quilt so it is 36 in by 46in roughly. so not too big. I am hoping to give it a try this week as soon as I get the basting done.I have some extra material I can try out the movements on I think I will try that first.

Among my treadling friends, there are many different styles. Some use one foot, others use their right foot at the front of the treadle pedal, with their left foot at the back, still others use their left foot at the front of the pedal and their right at the back. I plant both feet in the middle of the pedal, and use them simultaneously, so they get the same amount of exercise. I am taking a break from practice for a few minutes, after picking out an entire feather--forgot to put the presser foot down when I started, and that just doesn't work.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Pat, I hope you can use both legs. Otherwise you might have to do some alterations on one leg of yer britches.
Jan in Spokane

I had some extra $ this month, so joined Sharon Schamber's web site as a Premium member. I'm working my way through her marvelous teaching videos, and have begun practicing on charity quilts to learn free-motion quilting. She says it takes 200 to 300 hours of practice, and I believe her! But I do notice some progress each day. So maybe by this fall, I'll be acceptable at free motion. And since I'm learning to do it on my treadles, my already-strong calf and ankle muscles will be even stronger, LOL.

Pat in Rockport, TX

I have a bunch of practice sandwiches. Before I start on the real thing, I will practice the pattern on one of those. Your brain will remember what you did which makes it easier. The other advice is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Gloria

On the Sharon Schamber network, she shows you how to set up your quilt for quilting and how she bastes it. Judy in AZ

What type of quilt have you made (pattern),how big is your quilt, How far apart have you put each pin into the sandwich?

When I quilted my very first quilt I didn't have enough pins in my sandwich so I had alot of pucker folds sewed in the back of the quilt. I learnt how to pin correctly after two quilts!! I started out with all over meandering,or quilt in the ditch. I also didn't have a long arm for awhile but you can still quilt nicely with out one. Because if your rolled quilt will fit under the neck of the machine "all you will be quilting at a time is where your two hands set while quilting." If you can set your machine on a big table up against the wall with a small side table setting beside your sewing chair up against the table that you'll be sewing on it will be a great help.
You pin your backing to the floor or tape it tauntly,allowing 3 inches more on each side bigger then your top piece. Lay your batting evenly onto your backing and make sure to get all wrinkles out. Lay your top onto the batting. Now if you were going to quilt a pattern you would draw it out before you pinned,some patterns don't need to be drawed out like meandering or in the ditch. You will pin starting from the center of your quilt working your way out on all four sides,making sure you smooth out your quilt while pinning. "I pin every three inches". If you drawed out a pattern you would try not to pin on any of your sew lines. When you begin quilting you will roll up half of your quilt and start quilting from the middle outward on one whole side. Then repeat same process for the other half.
Once you set your quilt into the machine You will hold both hands flat on each side of the sewing area keeping your quilt taunt and flat and move in a speed rythm comfortable for you. You can use a practice piece first.
Quilting is very relaxing and with alittle practice you'll find it's alot of fun to do.
"Good Luck with your Quilting"
Kathy

I have not done my own quilting (and I want to!) Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way. I already have the from attached to the back and batting so I think I am ready to go... I hope.