Jean, The Elna 62C will thread like most other machines except the needle is threaded from front to back. When you install a new needle, it's flat side to the back. The machine will sew through anything you can force under the presser foot. Because it is a precision made machine, it has very low tolerances and must be kept free of lint - think of a Swiss watch. You must hold both threads when you begin to sew unless you are a fan of thread jams - my children hated that about Miss Elna. You don't need any cams in the machine to ZZ do any of the stitches on the dial under the door on the top. Cams are sewn with the dials on auto.
Word to the wise - sew carefully as the stitch is so well balanced it's a bear to take out. The paint is worn off mine, too, from sewing everything from men's leather belts to beaded and reembroidered wedding dresses. I liked the duck cam for hemming flannel receiving blankets. I do not use mine for quilting. I don't think I have the single hole plate and it tends to eat the start of seams on lighter fabric - it is especially partial to HSTs. Because there is no adjustment for the pressure of the presser foot, it's FMQ skills are suspect. Don't look for an adjustment - it's automatic and works well in most instances. Ah, well, that's what 301s are for. Miss Elna was purchased new in 1973 and has made anything that can be made on a machine and a few more things. She's still going strong. If you have the blue carrying case, it folds into a table around the free arm. I've never used mine because I purchased a heavy table with mine that flips up for free arm work. Miss E has a beautiful satin stitch for applique and the blind hem stitch makes a decent fake blanket stitch. Those are built in.
Enjoy your new lady and if you don't want it, you can drop it off here when you go north. My friend lost that cam gear in hers and misses that machine everyday. I'd love to find a 62C for her without giving up mine.
Last edited by irishrose; 03-06-2014 at 05:20 PM.