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I'm Expecting!

My new baby is due to arrive on Monday, via UPS! *LOL

All you girls chatting about having so many machines made me consider my poor Pfaff 1209 being an only child, so starting looking about for a baby brother to keep him company.

My needs were simple, wanted a good sturdy machine, that would complement my Pfaff nicely, and so heirloom/embroidery stitches, but nothing overly complicated. Sadly sewing dealers/repair shops in our area are a dying breed, and many given my penchant for vintage all metal machines, was told the by the dealers the ones they do get in for repair (if ever) are quickly claimed by their owners when work is completed. What to do?

Much as one hates dealing with eBay a nice Elna Supermatic "Plana" caught my eye, and after pestering the seller with a slew of emails regarding the machine and his reputation decided to go in for the kill. My new baby has been shipped (professionally packaged, bonded, etc, but we shall see) and is due to arrive on Monday. Seller offers a total refund if the machine does not work as promised, and have already booked an appointment for "baby" at my local Elan dealer/repair shop for an complete physical.

Have been reading good things about older "Swiss made" Elna's on Mr. White's site and postings to this group and the Yahoo heirloom sewing/Elna group, which convinced me this machine could be the right fit. If it isn't will simply sell it on.

My plan is to use my Pfaff for a bulk of the daily "heavy" sewing work, while setting up the Elna for embroidery/heirloom sewing. This way can switch between the machines without having to change threads,bobbins, needles, etc.

Must get the "nursery" ready, and have a nice long clubby chat with my Pfaffie. Must reassure my lad that he is not being replaced, and will still enjoy pride of place.

Candide

Reply to
Candide
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Oh how wonderful.... congratulations! I hope the delivery goes smoothly and that a doctor won't be necessary--- especially after we induced you. :) I think you deserve to have a shower too so you can be sure you have all the things you need for the ...uh ... new bundle of joy.

My SIL has had an Elna for many years and has always loved it. Have fun!

Phae

Reply to
Phaedrine

I'll just echo all of that, adding that I have two baby Elna Lotus machines: one has a handful of stitches, the other just straight and ZZ, but both are wonderful to use. :)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Kate, IIRC I've read some of your posts over on the Yahoo/Elna group and enjoyed them all. Plan on submitting a requests for membership once am sure the machine is a go-er and not DOA. What thrilled me about the Elna Supermatics is the huge array of stitches available using single and double cams. There are even ducks, geese, sheep jumping and IIRC cats. Yes, many modern machines have these and more, but amazing that machines built 20 to 40 years ago did as well.

R. White has a great website and seems an excellent dealer for vintage Elna parts/accessories, so will probably contact him for advice/things needed for the "layette" should my local fail.

Kate:

There seems to be a surplus of Elna Lotus machines on eBay at the moment. Have never seen so many at once, must be breeding season! *LOL*

While the Lotus machines look very interesting, my Pfaff pretty much has that area covered, only the buttonholes disappoint. Am told Griest attachments make great buttonholes, put need to find one that fits my high shank Pfaff 1209. Saw a monogrammer attachment by Griest, but sadly was for Berina machines, thus won't fit anything else.

C.

Candide

Reply to
Candide

Congratulations on the growth of your household! I do have to tell you, though that I have a Baby Brother, and if you come across one, you should add it to your clan. It won't take much room. This isn't mine, but mine is identical.

Reply to
Pogonip

Indeed! :) Oh, and don't wait until you have a going machine to join us on the elna group - there are Elna fixer-uppers there that can help get it going if you have a problem! :)

I need to look in there when I get some spare dosh... ;)

I 'need@ a Stella Air Electronic like the one I gave my friend, but I don't want it sent from the USA because of the motor differences... I'm on the look-out for one here in the UK. And a friend bought an excellent serger via ebay the other week, and I'll enlist her help if one pops up that I want to bid on...

I have a couple of buttonhole attachments for my Singers: I have to say that while the buttonholes are OK, those on my Lily are superior by far. I know some folk swear by them, but having compared the two sorts, I cannot say that the attachments give me buttonholes of 'sell to customer' quality, but Lily does - every time. Those I've done on the Elnas (where I have to turn the fabric round) are OK: better than the Singer gadgets, but not up to Lily quality. That's more a matter or practice than stitch quality.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Awwww... Cute! I dare not get into miniature or toy machines... Compacts are small enough!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

LOL! How exciting for you! It is nice to have different machines set up with different threads and needles for various applications. =20

I, to am getting an Elna! But a Lotus, and also most likely on MOnday!

I have been wanting an Elna, especially a portable, ever since I took a SM repair class with Ray White here in central NY two years ago. As you know he's the 'Elna Man.'

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

Kate - what is the name of the Yahoo Elna group? I will likely join once I get my Lotus....

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

-Irene

Not Kate, but pipe:

Yahoo Group: Elna Heirloom Sewing Machines

When I last checked last night, there was a message saying the group was down for the moment, not sure if it was my ISP or what. One must request membership, but think that is just to keep out the spammers.

Hope to see you there, we new "Elna Moms or Dads" can trade war stories!

*LOL*

Candide

Reply to
Candide

Elna Heirloom Sewing Machines.

You will LOVE your Lotus! :) Which model are you getting?

Reply to
Kate Dicey

welcome a new member to your family I rejoice with you. Juno

Reply to
Juno

Thanks Candide!

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

LOL - *after* I bought it I found out there are different models, so I really don't know... :) I know it doesn't have any other name on it except Elna....? But I'll post it when I find out!

Question for your Lotus owners... does this machine use special needles and feet? Mine won't be coming with anything but the regular foot and I'm wondering if any of the feet in my huge stash will work on it while i'm looking for 'original.'

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

It takes the same needles as any other modern domestic. It does need its own feet. *Some* low shank feet will fit, but the feeddog pattern may not match well enough for an even feed.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

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