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treadling

treadling

9.5
The action of pressing a foot pedal to run a sewing machine or spinning wheel
  • noun
  • /ˈtrɛd.lɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pedaleo
  • She learned the art of treadling on the sewing machine to create beautiful quilts.

I mean, is this just a matter of developing one very strong treadling ankle?

Examples

  • I mean, is this just a matter of developing one very strong treadling ankle?

  • The pump is composed of two metal cylinders with pistons that are operated by walking, or treadling, on two treadles the way one would operate a pump organ or, in modern-day terms, a stair-stepping machine at the gym.

    Academic text (2011)
  • After mastering the treadling technique, he was able to make intricate patterns on his fabric.

  • The craft workshop offered classes on treadling with a focus on using traditional spinning wheels.

Surface Forms

treadling singular
treadlings plural

Morphology

treadling = treadle (transparent) = treadle + ing

A straightforward gerund/nominalization formed by adding '-ing' to the verb 'treadle', so the noun meaning 'the act of operating a treadle' is directly derived.

Etymology

Treadling comes from tread meaning 'to step' and from treadle, a foot pedal. It pictures someone moving their foot to keep a wheel or machine going, so treadling is the act of operating a sewing machine or spinning wheel with the foot.