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Originally Posted by BoJangles
Sewbizgirl, have you changed your thread? Everyone now is using the new Bottom Line bobbin thread, which is a 60 weight - very fine thread. Some of the older machines can't tolerate that light weight of a thread. I have found with my treadles to keep the top and bottom thread the same. Even my Long Arm doesn't tolerate the really light weight bobbin thread - I spent several hours ripping out a quilted quilt due to the Bottom Line thread. I know these new threads are made for the bobbin, but be careful some machines won't tolerate them. Also, if you are using a really inexpensive thread, it may be the thread not your tension. The top tension should always be tighter then the bobbin tension. When you pick up your bobbin by the thread, it should only lift up on end not come off your hand unless you bounce it.
Nancy I remember this machine was doing this a couple of years ago and suddenly it just "got better" all by itself... which is just as puzzling as what could be wrong. I will experiment with thread, tho. |
Originally Posted by Candace
This is a machine I've been wanting, though the drive would be long for me:< I wonder what kind of elbow grease would be needed?:>
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hsh/2605306465.html |
Originally Posted by irishrose
Originally Posted by Candace
This is a machine I've been wanting, though the drive would be long for me:< I wonder what kind of elbow grease would be needed?:>
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hsh/2605306465.html That machine you saw listing on Goodwill sold for over $130...so no bargain! Why doesn't yours quilt well? What's the problem? |
The 1973 Elna had an self adjusting presser foot. It is supposed to adjust automatically to the thickness of what you are sewing, which is fine for everything except quilting. When I tried to SITD on a multiple batt comforter, I had to go upstairs and use my back-up machine. I only had two machines, then, LOL. It also sews such a perfect, well balanced stitch that it is very hard to remove if you make an error. When quilting, I have a lot of redos. The ZZ slot eats corners corners on HSTs and such. The only thing the Elna does for me quilting is ZZ around the quilt before I put on the binding. I did SITD a quilt with the walking foot before I bought the 301, but I had a lot of tucks to deal with on the back because of the tight presser foot. I love that machine and have been well pleased with her, but the 301 is a better quilter. Miss Elna has sewn everything from silk organza wedding dresses to leather belts. Probably the strangest thing was my brother's Mylar flameproof suit when he was drag racing.
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Originally Posted by irishrose
The 1973 Elna had an self adjusting presser foot. It is supposed to adjust automatically to the thickness of what you are sewing, which is fine for everything except quilting. When I tried to SITD on a multiple batt comforter, I had to go upstairs and use my back-up machine. I only had two machines, then, LOL. It also sews such a perfect, well balanced stitch that it is very hard to remove if you make an error. When quilting, I have a lot of redos. The ZZ slot eats corners corners on HSTs and such. The only thing the Elna does for me quilting is ZZ around the quilt before I put on the binding. I did SITD a quilt with the walking foot before I bought the 301, but I had a lot of tucks to deal with on the back because of the tight presser foot. I love that machine and have been well pleased with her, but the 301 is a better quilter. Miss Elna has sewn everything from silk organza wedding dresses to leather belts. Probably the strangest thing was my brother's Mylar flameproof suit when he was drag racing.
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Originally Posted by irishrose
The 1973 Elna had an self adjusting presser foot. It is supposed to adjust automatically to the thickness of what you are sewing, which is fine for everything except quilting. When I tried to SITD on a multiple batt comforter, I had to go upstairs and use my back-up machine. I only had two machines, then, LOL. It also sews such a perfect, well balanced stitch that it is very hard to remove if you make an error. When quilting, I have a lot of redos. The ZZ slot eats corners corners on HSTs and such. The only thing the Elna does for me quilting is ZZ around the quilt before I put on the binding. I did SITD a quilt with the walking foot before I bought the 301, but I had a lot of tucks to deal with on the back because of the tight presser foot. I love that machine and have been well pleased with her, but the 301 is a better quilter. Miss Elna has sewn everything from silk organza wedding dresses to leather belts. Probably the strangest thing was my brother's Mylar flameproof suit when he was drag racing.
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I did see a straight stitch plate on the Elna site, but I didn't purchase it because I have two straight stitch machines set up and the Necchi sews the same good stitch they Elna has. miriam, Miss Elna has made hundreds of baby items. I like the little ducks and the little flowers for receiving blanket edges and the double needle makes a nice trim, too. My grandaughter liked the adjustable presser foot on the Elna. She even offered me $37 for her. Not!
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Originally Posted by Celeste
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Originally Posted by miriam
Originally Posted by Quilt Mom
Originally Posted by sew wishful
I found one of the new Singer Featherweight machines at a local GW! Plugged it in and the motor ran and the needle went up and down. Brought it home and played a bit on it and it seems to run well. I think I will put it away for a granddaughter, eventually, but just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on these machines. I know...they are plastic (I'm unable to take it apart....no screws, so it must be a throw away machine) but that's all I know about it. Certainly not the Featherweight from 1954 I have upstairs!! LOL!
I don't know about not being able to take it apart. I think mine can be. I have/had one. It is with my DD currently. It works well, and can be used for a lot of things. For heavy use, this is NOT the machine you want. But it has been handy for her mending, and for a backup machine when my go to machine was down - before I started gathering my 'herd' of vintage machines. :lol: When I deliver the centennial FW promised to DD, she may give up the little one, may not. She does tell me the plastic one won't go through the layers to hem her DH's pants. |
double post....sorry
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