I'm with you in not wanting to wreck your Elna, playing with embroidering. Watch CL for a cheap any kind of machine that you won't mind messing up as you play with it--some of the older machines are better at zig zag than Elna anyway--and I would never attempt free-motion with mine (a 1986 special edition air driven top of the line model--I am not in my sewing room so can't just look over and see the name of it). It is super quiet, which I love; and I am the only one allowed to use it--I keep it serviced myself--and it has never again seen the inside of a sewing machine sales or repair center. If you keep at it, you might be able to find a decent zig zag older machine at a yard sale for $5 or $10. When someone has a yard sale, any money is better than no money--know what I mean.....just say do you have a machine you want to sell real cheap....