Elna 344

Good machine hardly any issues – Hardly had any issues with this machine. Good value for money. Maybe the negative reviews are from people who didn’t thread it properly? You need to do regular maintenance too: brush out the dust and debris and oil it (heaps of YouTube videos on how to do a overlocker service) Show details

Excellent quality overlocker – No problems at all for me. I am an experienced sewer and I too was surprised at the negative reviews. All I can suggest is that perhaps the threading and tension instructions were not followed properly as they are so important! Would highly recommend this product! Just be sure to thoroughly read the manual as with any new machine. Show details

Terrible customer service the machine broke a part worth a minimal amount head office is unwilling t – Shocking customer service and a terrible machine Ella overlocker 344 tried to obtain a part but told to go to a supplier eventually got a phone call 3 weeks later after ringing customer service a number of times only to be given attitude. I would avoid this brand and research customer service reviews  Show details

Frustration – I have been sewing for 40yrs and own an elna lotus it was revolutionary in its time being very small and able to do alot, back then the machines were precision made in Switzerland. I decided to buy the Elna overlocker about 7yrs ago from Spotlight, it came with an instruction manual which i just couldn't get into. Tried to thread it had no luck… Read more

and then inlisted help of a friend. Overlocked a couple of worn towels didn't feel confident enough to do anything else and of course the thread broke. Sooo tried to thread it no luck and didnt bother with it for a few years. Decided to try to use it and have gone to sewing lessons to try and get help with the overlocker. Teacher threaded it went ok for awhile and thread broke, teacher nor myself can get it to work properly again FRUSTRATING and from what i hear in the class most people are having a hard time with overlockers I will use my overlocking on my 40yr old Elna made in Switzerland and save myself alot of time and aggravation with cheap rubbish made in CHINA. BY the way that sewing machine cost me 1900 dollars forty years ago, well worth it I have had NO frustration or stress with it and have certainly had my monies worth. Comment on SPOTLIGHT staff very rude and unhelpful.

Frustration And Disappointment Is Right – This machine was invented by a man with a hatred of women. Spend hours trying to get the threading right, then have to face getting the tension right. Simply could not recommend this machine. Spotlight is eager enough to sell them, not so eager to follow through. Enough to put one off sewing for life.

never recomend to anyone – Have spent about 3 months trying diff things til my daughter told me to look on here, absolute rubbish had a janome before , which was great will try what bess said now

Perfect - if you like frustration and disappointment! – Purchased at Spotlight, who were unable to demonstrate the particular machine as they were unable to find the manual to check the threading - but highly recommended as it was one of their most popular overlockers. Spotlight did not provide lessons at the time for overlockers or accurately provide the correct replacement needles (even when I had… Read more

the manual with me).

Difficult to thread and images of threading the lower threads not particularly clear. I broke a one needle and after many attempts in re-threading, changing both needles and still not able to use machine, it was serviced. Upon reading the service notes it was unclear what the problem was, so I phoned the service people who advised they saw a lot of these come through and just the slightest thing would stop it sewing well.

unreliable, poor servicing, no assistance from Elna

Good machine.. Great value!! – I have had not a single problem with my Elna 344 and was quite surprised to read the negative reviews on here. I found the manual very clearly worded and as an intermediate sewer found the colour coded threading guide on the machine very helpful whilst getting familiar with how to thread it. I also bought my machine from Spotlight and paid for a… Read more ·  1

few classes, which at $18 per class was very reasonable. If like me you have never used an overlocker before I would recommend getting some guidance because after my classes I haven't looked back! I sew almost all of my children's clothes and 2 years on my Elna overlocker is going strong. reliable, mid range $$, ease of use, 5 yr warrenty nothing yet

Terrible – Do not get suckered into buying this machine, look around and don't buy from Spotlight as they can't demonstrate the machine and you really need to get hands on with an overlocker. If I had been shown how this overlocker works, I would not have bought it in the first place. Nothing, it did not even sew from the moment it was plugged in. I tied the… Read more

new cottons on to the factory fed cottons, and as they were fed through the threading was done correctly, but the machine broke the threads, would not cut and ultimately the whole thing was a nightmare. I bought this machine at Spotlight. I had nothing but trouble with it and now I have been told that I have to wait for Elna to decide if I can receive a refund, or if they will repair it. From the first it would not sew properly, it broke the cotton and did not cut the fabric right, resulting in a roll of material that bunched into the feed. I have been a sewer for 30 years and have a lot of experience with overlockers, unfortunately I cannot even contemplate buying another ELNA. If they repair it it will probably be used as an anchor as it isn't the most user friendly overlocker on the market.

Terrible – This machine has been a total waste of money. Inside threaders broke within 3 weeks of purchase (2nd use of machine). Elna will not cover their warrantee and are refusing to fix it. Threading was quite easy, good instructions. Warrantee worth nothing.

Terrible – I think you need to purchase this machine from a shop that includes lessons on how to thread and use, the instruction manual in not that easy to understand and there is no video which would be very useful and hopefully easier to follow. Price I spent the best part of a day trying to get this machine going, it is very difficult to thread and when I… Read more

finally got it going it would only stitch a few stitches and then the thread would break, I got very frustrated and in the end I returned it, I think I will pay the extra and get something easier to handle.

Would never recommend this machine to anyone – I have had nothing but trouble with this machine since purchase the stitch width indicator has become very loose and now it breaks needles if it moves. Because of this the chain stitch indicator has been bent as well and have been told they arent covered under warranty. I shouldn't have to use blu tack on a machine so I can get my sewing done. … Read more

I have already had the foot of this machine replaced by spotlight within the first 6 months of purchase. Total waste of money and the lack of support with this machine hasnt helped matters. When it was working properly stitched well Difficult warranty and repairs have to send away

Terrible – Its worth paying the extra dollars for a solid, well know and proven machine. dont be sucked in by the price, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. the price. I have had nothing but troubles with this machine. The threading instructions in the manual do not tell you vital information that is needed to thread the loopers. ie. when threading… Read more

the lower looper you need to be in a rolled hem setting not normal setting, and when threading the upper looper you need to pass the thread under the lower looper not over. the sugested setting on the tension dials do not work on my machine and it skips a stitch every 20 or so. The standard parts are very weak and bend very easy. I have tried everything to get this machine to work for me but it is very light weight and can not perform to a basic standard. not happy at all and will be taking it back tomorrow.

Excellent – I used to borrow my girlfriend's all the time. I will admit it is my first overlocker but I love it. I have had nothing but pleasure from my Elna 344. It's has done everything that I ask from it with ease. However, I am still learning about threading the cottons! Thank heavens there were threads already in the machine which I noted to my spools and gently sewed a piece of material.