I got my "new" old machine the other day and just fired it up last night. I was amazed with it for about 30 minutes, then it started skipping stitches. It was like the bobbin stopped working for a few stitches and the will stitch a few and then stop. I've rethreaded, changed needles, dusted it.... and it worked fine. Well, it started doing it again tonight! What am I doing wrong???

Going to the old book on sewing I got in a yard sale, it says about Skipping Stitches

Needle in backwards
Machine needs timing
Use correct needle
False timing, or poor needle insertion
Needle bent or burred or dull
Lint in upper or lower thread handling mechanism
Damaged Hook
Incorrect needle plate
Check spring
Poor Thread
Material not prewashed
Tension too tight
Handling material wrong==it suggests firm holding of fabrics
Burrs
I can go into further checking on these if none catches your eye and helps right away.

That's the Elna, right? What kind of needle are you using and what kind of thread. Miss Elna is a bit fussy about such things. She likes Schmertz needles and the old C & C thread or Guterman - no inexpensive polyester. Take a small brush and clean out the bobbin area well - you can use a screwdriver and take it apart, too. A thread caught under that black hook deal will cause havoc. Because the Elna, like the Necchi, is engineered to high specs there is little tolerance for 'foreign' objects.
edit: In reference to the previous post, the needle threads from front to back on mine which is only a little newer than yours.

So sorry, no ideas here. I sure hope you can figure it out.

Elna's are very picky about thread & lint & needles follow this advice should take care of skipped stitches.

My old '50's Pinnock was skipping stitches...a good clean and oiling did the trick.

whenever this has happened to me I put the needle in the wrong way..I have a lot of machines and the needle is all different...so I get mixed up...

Good luck!!

Yes, this is the "early 70's Elna". I used the needle that came with it. No, wait! It broke! Maybe that's when I started having problems! I took the needle out of my Singer (and I did double-check and make sure I was putting it in right). Then I rethreaded the machine. And I rethreaded it again when I started having trouble.

I bet it didn't like the needle. I'll buy a new pack today and start all over again. I was also using some thread that came with my house so I'll try some new thread too.

I did try to adjust the tension and I tried different scraps (I was "quilting" when it happened, so I pulled out my cotton scraps when I started trying to fix it). I took the bobbin out and cleaned out in there (was actually quite clean) and I had oiled it before I started.

Realizing now that it happened *after* the needle broke is my V8 moment. It's weird though, because it worked good for a while and then started acting up.

I also emailed the lady I bought it from, and she said she never had that problem with that machine, but suggested adjusting the tension.

I know what I'm doing this weekend! :)

Thanks all!

I found myself at Joanne's, so I got myself four new bobbins (because I only have one for my new machine!) and five new (Schmetz) needles. I didn't see Schmetz needles, but they had them in the display set up when you're waiting to check out!! Yay!
I also got 8 spools of quilting thread for $.49 each (150 yards). I was able to use my 50% off coupon on the needles and 20% coupon off everything else!!