Elna 1000
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I have given it a fair go and studied online what could I find about this specific machine and I have to say, I am disappointed to say the least. Never again Elna and their customer service. My Elna is just about sold. Show details
Bought mine second hand, owner said it doesn't sew but it works perfectly if you understand stitch length and tension control and insert the needle correctly. I've sewn 4 to 5 layers of denim easily, not sure why people are having trouble. Also… Read more · 1
has stretch stitch and is a good basic machine. Mine was a bit noisy to start with but only needs oiling and hums along nicely.
Follow-up · To adjust the stitch length and tension is going to be trial and error on your own machine, eg. If using 4 stitch length you should set tension to 4 as well. The more complicated the stitch you should adjust the tension to allow the cotton to run smoothly. Stretch stitch I've used to resew a stretch band on pants, also tshirt rehemming. To… Read more
Great Basic Sewing Machine – Great basic sewing machine. I am a volunteer to sew reusable shopping bags and used this machine to sew a lot of bags without any problem. Owned a newer Singer before and I honestly hate it. Elna is actually better compared to it. Normal machines are not designs for thick materials, so won't recommend to sew jeans or other thick fabric. Show details
- +5
ELNA 1000 no worries – Im an experienced sewer (over 50 years) and had my Singer for 25 years. I replaced it with a Brother 2000 and purchased the 1000 for my granddaughter. I found very little difference in the operation. I'm happy to say it sews beautifully with perfect stitches. It won't go through 6 layers of denim, but use the button trick behind the presser… Read more
foot for thick seams.I'm thinking that poor revues might be made by inexperienced sewers who expect their machine to operate while using the incorrect features or accessories. Eg the needle, the cotton and not understanding the bobbin and how it all works in relation with different fabrics. It's not a car where you put your foot down and off you go. I would recommend this little machine to a learner and experienced sewer wanting great results!
Not for thick fabric. Super basic machine. Probably wouldn't buy again – Very basic machine. I mainly sew hems. I don't sew much anymore and only needed a machine for quick repairs. Couldn't handle seams. Needle broke and unable to raise wheel. Show details
Several years in and still love this machine – Undoubtedly basic, but despite what the companies would like to sell that’s often all a person needs. I sew clothes and have been very satisfied with the results. Easy to function and maintain. Sews a variety of fabrics well. Goes quite well over multiple layers. For best results use good quality thread and needles, as you always should. Not… Read more
many feet come with/are available for this machine, but there are plenty available that fit if you ignore the branded advertising. Similarly, you might want to look up general instruction for sewing online rather than rely solely on the limited manual (mine has notes scribbled in the margins).
Issues? Not many in my experience, this machine has been very reliable. Again, if you maintain it and use good quality thread etc you will cut issues other sewers have. I do have problems with bobbins sometimes, if it’s not wound exactly correct or there’s a minor tension issue. Correct and rethread and eventually it will just work. The plastic bobbins are a nuisance and I made the mistake of buying cheap, flimsy replacements at some stage which has helped nothing. I don’t think the bobbin winder is great. Other reviewers have also noted that this machine is full speed ahead only.
Over all, I love it and am very attached. My Elna 1000 has been excellent value for the low price I paid and caused me not a fraction of the issues I’ve seen people having with much pricier machines and better known brands. It’s a basic mechanical model and delivers bang for every buck invested. I have not once regretted buying this machine. (I have regretted the lack of one step button holes and a few automated perks like that, but to get them I’d have to replace this machine. And I don’t want to.)
Worst machine I have ever owned – The wheel loosens & the machine 'slips' constantly during sewing . If you keep stopping & starting and tightening the wheel and you can get the needle to move up and down, the stitches form perfectly. It's unusable. Totally frustrating. Awful machine. I can't get it to work for any length of time on poplin, have no idea why it's called 'heavy duty'. I got it half price on sale. Perhaps this is why they're on sale so often? Show details
When I opened to get the bobbin out the entire circular section fell out with oil pouring over my desk – Purchased a faulty machine. Following hours unsuccessful myself I contacted store they understood that the circular section surrounding the bobbin had fallen out with oil. Told me to place machine on side as only way the parts would go back in. Did that parts went in but machine still not working and loose around bobbin holder. With difficulty I gained a refund from Spotlight. Show details
The machine may be OK, but the instruction manual is useless – I used to have a Pfaff [made in Germany] and it lasted me almost 30 yrs. I bought Elna 1000 and realized that it is made in Thailand, not in Switzerland as it insinuates. That might be OK. But open the instruction book and you see right away it is crap. Impossible to follow the instruction, pages are misnumbered etc etc., just pure rubbish that… Read more
you cannot rely on it for help if something goes wrong. I do not do so much sewing anymore as I used to, but it annoying when something goes amiss and you cannot figure out how to fix it because the instructions are useless. Never again.
Issues with bottom thread can be fixed !! – The machine was great for a year then the bottom thread started to get loopy and uneven. I replaced the bobbin case and everything is great again. I use my machine allot (everyday) so apart from the bobbin casing issue, it is perfect. Only annoying thing is there is no on/off switch. Show details
Crap sewing machine – Will never recommend this to anyone or buy this crap ever agian.It has either not stitched together my clothes properly or it tears holes into my garments causing a massive mess .Also very high maintenance so steer clear of this one!!!! Will never buy this crap again smh.But i guess you get what you pay for!!! Show details
I have to pay to get a missed instruction manual – We got one used Elna 1000 from a friend, she misplaced the machine's manual, I e-mailed the company to get a pdf copy, they replied with instruction on how to find their dealers and buying the manual from them, what a cheap company that profit from instruction paper?! Show details
Fine with simple sewing, struggles across seams – Straight stitching of two layers of fabric is fine; struggles with seams and skips with two layers of flannel. Does not like the bobbin being low On thread, stitches unevenly. Breaks the thread often in the feeds before it gets near the needle. Purchased machine for a beginner quilter and started using it when she experienced numerous issues,… Read more
some due to ignorance, others were the machine.
I do not recommend this machine for quilting or sewing thick fabric
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Ok if you don’t need to sew double fabric or seams – The machine sews fine if you only require to use the straight stitch , as soon as you use the other options the tension adjusts itself ??? I purchased mine only two weeks ago and when I contacted the store they told me “ your tension is too tight “ given I’ve beensewingfor over 30 years I was annoyed they thought I was stupid Show details
Lean & Noisy, like a Ferret – A lot of crappy reviews have been written about this sewing machine. I read them after i purchased it... but to my amazement & overlooking my very limited skills, this machine is not bad at all. Definitely for a beginner - it's true, over the past month of ownership I've had cockups, but these have been my fault. A Few Cockups - WOULDNT SEW -… Read more · 1
i had not clicked the bobbin holder thingy on top of machine back into place after filling bobbin
NEEDLES BREAKING - i had wrong brand, wrong size
STITCHES WERE CRAP - typical error for beginners, tension was all over the shop. Googled what they should look like & best tension to use - & perfect ice cubes!
Since becoming experienced (over 4 weeks), I've now sewn doubled over wool, boiled wool & sheepskin. And i used the standard ELNA needle - yea i know that's not what i should do, but my point is the machine did a beautiful job. Cotton didn't break once.
Broad selection of stitches available for people like me, goes backwards, goes fwds! Easy to use foot presser thing. Very light to lift - this was important, my previous 30 yrs old machine was as heavy as a mack truck & made of steel (almost). Slightly plasticky built but hey i got it new, on sale for $ $140.
Keeping that in mind I'm giving it 5 stars with a teeny moan about the extremely limited accompanying sewing manual. Also a big complain about companies trying to charge you online for the manual which has 5 pages of English. Its looks bigger because it included instructions in dutch italian french spanish etc.
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