Elna Sewing Machine - What to Do With Her
 

I have an Elna Super, purchased in 1970, when my children were growing up and I sewed everything for them. At the time, I had to buy it on installments because finances were not the greatest. In 1974, I went up to a Viking 1100 which is an all metal machine and needs a little fixing right now. I sew on a Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt purchased in 2007 and a Pfaff, bought in 2002. I would like to consolidate these. I am not sure how to sell the Elna. Should I contact an Elna dealer or try Craigs's List. I talked to the dealer who sold me the Pfaff, and all he said was that he would take it for parts. He didn't say if he would compensate me for it in any way. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

If it's in good condition, you'd probably get more on ebay, but you'd have to deal with shipping. Check ebay for CLOSED auctions on it (not listings). CraigsList is also good, but make sure you're not alone showing it to someone.

I prefer to donate a machine if I'm not going to trade it in for a new one. 4H, Scouts, community extension office, church teen groups, etc. Usually an older machine doesn't sell for much and it's a hassle to list it and then ship it and if the machine breaks or messes up you will get the blame for selling a bad machine.

We have a second hand store here that sells used sewing machines. She sells Elna's that she takes and gets repaired. They are like a dream. I want to own one so badly. Maybe you can find a used store that would give you a good price for it. I mean, I really want this green Elna...I drool every time I go in there. I get paid on the first and hopefully it's still there. I might just buy it. But, I already have three machines, so I don't need it and I'm trying not to buy things because I drool over them. But we'll see what my brain says to me on the first.

I have the blue Elna super from 1969. Still sews like a dream and I pray it continues to do so for a loooooong time. We are so used to each other.

I wore one out - very nice machine - I mourned the loss of it for years. It is now a parts machine. I have another one like it - very nice machine.

Mine is a bit younger--the Elna Carina w/cams from about 1980 or 81. That little machine sews like a dream--genuine made in Switz. Tho I own other machines and this one is in a closet, I know I would never be able to sell it for it's value because I have done so much damage to the front area with pins sliding across. I was a "pin everything and take the pin up to the foot"...ignorance about how I was making furrows in the paint. In retrospect, I would have covered the front area with the clear plastic to protect it! Before the co. sold, it was a really well made machine. Then new ownership began building parts of plastic, and now I would not buy one.

I did a quick search on eBay and came up with this list of completed sales for that machine:
http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_saca...mplete=1&rt=nc

(Not sure you can access it, but worth a try!)

That's such a nice little vintage machine, I would consider keeping it for grandchildren.

I have an Elna Stella, and I will never let her go. I would keep her and my new fancy machine. And of course, I would not sell my featherweight. I am giving away a Singer to someone who wants to learn to sew on Tuesday.

A few months back, I got caught with that same bug. I had inherited some Elna cams for the extra stitches, so I became consumed with find an Elna that could use them -- for a good price, of course. I finally found one that works well for $40, and you know...I haven't used it at all. I didn't invest a lot, and could probably get my money back out of it, but if I already had three machines, I'd hold off. I don't like the guilt I feel when I look at it...