I'm in the market to buy a new sewing machine. Went to our local sewing center and I wand to get the Elna 3210 "I think was the #) but I've never heard of the brand before. }t would be brand new with a 25 yr. Warranty and he would service it for free for as long as he lives (his words not mine) he is also including many of the quilting feet in as a package. Cost would be about $400.00. So my question is, is this a good deal and is this a reliable machine?

25 year warranty on a $400 machine? Ummmm ... typo?

I've heard of Elna, can't comment, but that warranty sure doesn't sound anyhwere near possible.

I have a 25 yr warranty on my $500 machine. BUT that is only for specific parts :wink: not all of them. Chances are the parts that will wear out are the ones in the more limited warranty section of the contract.

As to the free service for life? That one sounds too good to be true. I would want that in writing, signed and notarized :D:D:D

The ELNA brand sells well over in Europe. I go to Spain about once or twice a year to visit my son and this brand is avaiable for purchase over there. It is what I will buy to teach my granddaughter to sew over there.

No typo it has a 25 yr warranty limited parts I'm assuming. Service for life is also true as the owner is in his late 70's and said til the end of his life not the machines!

I think Elna is a good brand. I'm pretty sure it's made by Janome.

I am sure that the 25 yr warranty is not for everything. Almost all sewing machines come with a 25 yr warranty but only for very few parts and labor is not included after about 1-3 yrs.
Eleanor Burns used to use Elnas on her show.

Elna is combined with Janome now and Janome has a standard 25 year warranty on their machines so that is probably where the long warranty comes from.

I have a Elna sews great had it about 2 yrs have it set up for straight sew only. I have dif machines for dif projects. But I like the Elna

Be careful how you understand the warranty. All new sewing machines come with this kind of warranty. It does not mean that all of the parts are covered for 25 years; I think it simply warranties that long against defective parts. Service on parts replacement would not be covered for 25 years, and parts that wear out due to use are probably not covered either. Since virtually all sewing machines come with this type of warranty, it's really not a consideration in terms of making a decision about buying a machine. The servicing is actually a more valuable deal, IMO, although the modern machines seldom need more than normal home maintenance to keep running fine.

I don't think the Elna brand is considered particularly good anymore. In that price category, most people would be looking at Janome or Sears Kenmore machines, or maybe Babylock machines.

There are user reviews of machines at http://www.patternreview.com . Also Google elna 3210 reviews to see what you can turn up that way.

I don't know about that particular model, but I have 2 elnas and love them. Never had any problems and they also have a 25 year warranty.

I"ve had two Elnas over the past 30 years and no problems on either of them till then end of life for the first one when, after 20 years I started having tension problems that couldn't be fixed...got a good deal on a new one and it was the option I took. I also have a small Janome for travel and the two are made by the same company. If I purchase a large machine again it will be either an Elna or a Janome.

He's pretty safe offering that warranty unless Janome cheapened the machine. My Elna is 37 years old and going strong. She's never had a repair and has sewn everything from metal coated drag racing suits to multiple wedding dresses. It is a quiet, well made machine. It has the most balanced (read hard to remove - you learn not to make errors) stitching I've ever seen on a sewing machine. I am not familar with the new ones because I just don't need one.

Elna used to be made in Switzerland, was one of the top brands. Now made by Janome, which is a great brand. Many if the machines are very similar, "twins" between the brands. There are fewer Elna dealerships than other brands. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Elna after researching machine reviews here and on patternreview.com and doing a thorough test drive with the fabrics and techniques you typically use.

All I can say is if you can find a machine that you like, with the options you want for $400.... it's a steal! And of course the Elna/Janome names are behind their products!

just be sure to do all your homework

Thanks for all the info and input everyone! I'm feeling pretty confident in my choice :) going to try and get on a computer (cell isn't great with most sites) in the next few days to read up and do some homework!

Don't know about todays Elna's but I used one in Jr high and loved it!

I teach at a sewing machine dealership who sells Elna and Juki and used to sell Singer until they cheapened their manufacturing. The Elna machines are great and I own three of them. We have very few come in for repair unless they are very old ( 25 yrs or more) or if they have been sitting unused in a closet or attic. We also put them in the schools here and the teachers love them because they are very user friendly and hold up to student use. The 25 year warranty is an industry standard and applies to all machines regardless of cost. This is true for all dealer brands. The good thing about Elna and Janome is they are only sold by dealers. The dealers have to go to training in order to sell the product or they are not allowed to stock it. The 3210 is a great machine for the price and is easy to use. We have sold several and they have been very happy with their purchase.

My first "great" machine was an Elna and I sewed everything on it for over 40 yrs. It is a free-arm from way back. Had to get a bank loan to buy it. It has never been in a shop for anything. I always cleaned and oiled it myself. To this day, it sews like a charm. I don't really use it any more, but I will never part with it, it is like family.

Several sites offer reviews on sewing machines by users/owners. This is one I found has the most users' reviews.

http://sewing-machine.diplo-best.com/review/ELNA/3210

You may also download the manual to see if the features and ease of use is for you.

I have an Elna and I love it. It is really a work horse and I think the brand hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves. Probably the reason the man is willing to give you such a long guarantee is because these machines are so well crafted they are hard to break. A great price by the way I paid $1600. for mine years ago. Good luck I think you have found a gem!!

My second machine was an Elna Quilters Dream Series, and I just love it. I had a Singer and there is no comparison. I got rid of my Singer because so many problems.

A quilt and yarn shop I used to go to when we lived in another area sold Berninas. She loved her Berninas.
I looked her up on line recently and she no longer sells Berninas but sells Elnas. This woman is a business woman whose judgement and straightforward manner of business I appreciate. If she's selling Elna brand of machines, I wouldn't hesitate in my decision to buy the machine. However, the guarantee/warrantee/service is a matter you should look into with something in writing just for your own peace of mind.
I'm excited for you. Good luck.
Blessings,
Angela

Isn't Elna the one Eleanor Burns uses and sells?

Eleanor Burns used to represent Elna by using the machine on her series but now represents Babylock. She was never a dealer. The representation of Elna by Eleanor Burns ceased when Janome and Elna combined corporate operations.

My friend Laura has an Elna, which she has had 10+years and she hasn't had any problems with it. She is very happy with it.

Can't address the "guarantee" but Elna is a wonderful SM! It's the one I use. I have the Elna Quilter's Dream Pro and I just absolutely LOVE it. Feet and other parts are interchangeable with the Janome and I love that one, too!

I have the new Janome 3160 which I think is the same machine as the Elna and it is a great machine I love it

I recently researched and shopped for a new sewing machine. Ended up buying a last years' model Janome with full warranty for less than 1/2 the price of the new one with all the same features. So far, I love it. Good luck!

Elna is a good machine and has been around for a long time.

I have a Necchi that has worked very well for me for 35 years but I need something more for quilting. Was Necchi and Elna the same company in the past?

I have had an Elna, 7200, for 6 years and love it as it is problem free. The warranty was for 2 years, I think but I am sure it won't be needed as it is such a solid machine.

Check that the supplier will include a walking foot and a scant 1/4" foot as they are not included per norm in the packages I have seen, n BTW $400 is a good price, but don't tell him that :lol:

Yes, I think 400 is good and he is including the quilting feet for me to! free motion foot, 1/4 in. foot, walking foot, open toe foot and idk what else. He is a very generous and honest person from what I've seen and anyone I've met that knows him (it's why I went there first!) but still wanted to do my homework ;)

Don't most sewing machines come with a 25 year warranty or guarantee if you pay for it. My original machine came with a 1 year of everything covered no matter what, when you purchase the 3 year extended warranty. That was 38 years ago, still going strong. Elna's are good machines to buy.

Do you want to quilt with it or just do basic sewing or embroidery with it? Many sewing machines have the advantage of a sewing machine and when you attach its embroidery module to it, then it is a super quality embroidery machine. There are Bernina and Brother machines that are top quality, even the lower end of the expensive ones would be an excellent purchase. Some sewing machines are not oiled as they have computer parts in them, so no oiling.

If you purchase a machine from a quilt or specific fabric shop, you get the free lessons of about 6 hours on the specific advantages of the machine your purchased. That is extremely helpful and you can repeat the classes for no charge. from, Debbie, Phoenix, AZ

read your guarantee. I bought a very pricey sewing/emb machine with a 20 or 25 year guarantee (can't remember which it was). Long story short - the guarantee was divided up - so many years on the motor, so many years on this,.... Ended up not very much was covered by the full term guarantee. Read that fine print. I've heard of Elnas but have nevr had one.

I have an elna quilters dream and I love it. I use everything on it. Easy machine to use.

I have an Elna and it is about 15 years old. no problems and still sews well.

I have 3 Elnas and love them all. Don't really need 3, but one was my aunt's, one doesn't weigh 12 lbs (great for travel), and the newest is a Quilter's Dream. Have never had any problems with my Elnas, and the older ones are super quiet, a benefit when DH is napping..........

Grab it, and take his arm too. he sounds too good to be true, just check that he has been in business for a respectable amount of time but IMO I would go for it because you really cannot go wrong, it's a fab bargain for a wonderful machine.

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