gwena

Hi ALL...
I am a regular here, and check in often to here all the wonderful news and advice passed along.

I need help, over the holiday my sewing machine kind of went defunct. I have an older Elna, Air Electronic machine, that's been a work horse for me and very reliable. I've kept her maintained throughout the years. Actually she was a gift to me and at the time I purchased her, she was consider one of the creme of the crops, more or less.

Over the holidays, I was trying one of the many cams that came with the machine and doing some embroidery on some table napkins when I heard a click and low and behold, no more embroidery design. When I switched it back to the regular zig zag it wouldn't even do that. All it does now is straight stitch.

My question has any of the members had this machine and have you experienced similar situations with it. Like I said, she's been a work horse for me, with very little repair work done on it other than the tension going out on it from time to time.

My problem too is that my dear Elna dealer has decided to close shop after 40 + years in the business so I really don't know who I can trust to take the machine to to have it looked at and give me an honest quote to repair it. I live in the Twin Cities so if any of you gals from that area are Elna lovers, I'd really appreciate your input.

I do have my Mom's own Kenmore, its got to be close to 60 plus years old but it still works and I run it every now an then.

Would it be better for me to use the Elna as just a great quilting machine with the straight stitch and not invest in getting the additional functions repaired or should I look at investing in a new machine. I'd really like a long arm and would appreciate your input and suggestions on a machine that is reasonable priced.

Thanks for hearing me out. Gwena, Minnesota

Prism99

The air Elna's are collectible machines, so it could be worth getting repaired. The Round Bobbin in St. Paul has been around for decades, albeit in various locations, and they have sold Elnas for decades also. I would call them.

Getting your Elna repaired doesn't rule out a longarm, though! There is a group called homequiltingsystems on Yahoo that is a great resource for all types of information about different longarm systems -- all from users, not dealers. Well worth joining. Their rule of thumb is that you should research for a year before actually purchasing a longarm, to be sure you get what you really want within your price range, as there are many options.

Oops! Just found some bad reviews about Round Bobbin sewing machine repair. They may be out of business anyway.

Ramona Byrd

Is it possible that your dealer will do "on the side" repairs just for spending money? Some men never get over their love of things that go round and round.

Lots of men, after the release of tension from being boss, will relax and look around for something to do. And after/or because of all the "honey do" things he might want something else to do. Away from home or in the garage!!

JUNEC

Where do you live? Have you checked the yellow pages for sewing repairs or Craig's List?

gwena

To my disappointment Round Bobbin no longer exists..otherwise I would not hestiate to bring my machine there. That is where I bought the machine in Roseville. Unless they have another location that I am not aware of and could not find on the internet. Let me know...I love this machine

gwena

The fellow that own Round Bobbin was perhaps 80-85 years old at the time he closed his shop in Roseville and he personnally did all maintainence and repair on his machines. Such a great, great loss but I can certainly understand his needs. Oh if only I can replace him.

gwena

Thanks for the info on the long arms. That was my impression on the Air Electronic too...it has been such a wonderful machine for me, so adaptable and compact-able I can take it anywhere which I have around the world. Its like a Featherweight without the bulk yet with a lot more features. They don't make machines like this anymore.

gwena

Oh yes, I have checked out the yellow pages, Craig's list and the internet...but I've heard horrid stories on who can you trust to do a decent job in repairing this collectible machines. Thats why may call out to you folks

gwena

I live in Minnesota, Twin Cities metropolitan area. The place that I bought the machine from was very reliable, they've been in business over 50+ years of business and not not catering to their individual customers but where known as a reliable source for the University of Minnesota School of Design and Art/Home Economics and other school districts as well within the area. It has been a great loss to me as I'm sure to others that relied upon them.