Is Elna a Good Machine?

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If you’re wondering what sewing machine brand to buy, you might want to consider Elna. In 2006, the Janome company from Japan bought out controlling shares in Elna and became the owner of this world-famous company. So, if you see a Janome, that’s Elna. The modern-day sewing machines are equally as amazing as vintage Elna’s, however, if you can get your hands on an Elna Supermatic, the very first automatic sewing machine in the world, you’ve hit a goldmine!

The Elna is the best brand on the market. Its longevity speaks volumes considering it was the first automatic sewing machine in the world and still rocks the market today. Even though nowadays, Elna sports a Janome label, its durability, value, and ease of use, are still the same as it was back in the early 1940s when Elna first introduced itself to the world.

I have used and serviced the Elna Supermatic and I can tell you in my 30 years of experience using industrial and domestic sewing machines, I have never come across such a strong powerhouse machine as this one. Let me tell you why.

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MADE OF METAL

Most sewing machines are plastic these days and that’s a shame. When you try to sew something, they bounce around the table causing all sorts of problems. I know, I have had several machines do this. But not the Elna.

Many new ones have aluminum bodies, but all vintage ones are made of metal. I like that because you don’t have to fuss with keeping it in place on the table. Sometimes you might want to bring your machine to a different location, and knowing that it won’t jump or slide around is very comforting.

Not only is the Elna made of quality metal, but it’s durable enough to last a lifetime. The worst thing in the world it to invest a lot of money into a plastic machine, and have it break or crack.

Buy an Elna because they are made of metal!

EASY TO THREAD

The basic threading procedure of an Elna has not changed over the years. It’s easy enough for a beginner to thread without much difficulty. I like that. I’ve had many sewing machines over the years that have given me a headache trying to thread them because of needlessly complicated steps.

Elna made it simple.

Buy an Elna because it’s easy to thread!

LIGHTNING SPEED

A machine should have the capability of going fast. It’s an engine and engines are designed to run at high speeds. Elna does not disappoint. It runs at lightning speed. It’s supposed to.

Not many sewing machines let you run at top speed AND sew through anything. In fact, I’ve been so disappointed at some of the brands I’ve used over the years because they either go too slow or go fast but break needles because the machine can’t handle what you’re putting it through.

It’s unusual to find a machine that allows you to go super fast over things like denim and leather, but the Elna can.

Buy an Elna because it runs at lightning speed!

TENSION IS IMPECCABLE

The Elna’s tension won’t cause you to pull out your hair. It works under extreme conditions, even several layers of felt. Take a peek at my video and you’ll see how the vintage Elna pushes through layers without balling up or skipping stitches.

I don’t know of any other machine that can go through so many layers without balling up. It’s incredible. Other machines I’ve used in the past have not been able to go through even a couple of layers without getting stuck, breaking needles, skipping stitches, and having the tension ball up.

The Elna is a powerhouse!

Buy an Elna because the tension is impeccable!

BASIC TO USE

Elna has prided itself on making their machines as basic as possible. Even the beginner sewer can figure them out. From vintage to computerized, Elna has carried this legacy forward. Its basic design in all models makes it a must-have for any sewing project.

Sometimes computerized sewing machines can be so complex that they require endless hours of learning to even understand the basics, but the Elna makes everything simple.

If computers are not your thing, try the vintage models. They are amazing! You might think they couldn’t possibly run as smoothly as the computerized ones, but they do. They don’t disappoint at all.

Find a good vintage one at a yard sale, and you might find it still runs like a dream and is really easy to use.

Buy an Elna because it’s basic to use!

DOMESTIC FEELS INDUSTRIAL

I’ve worked on many industrial sewing machines, and they are big and cumbersome but they get the job done. That’s the thing about industrial sewing machines, they get the job done.

But the Elna is just the same. It gets the job done no matter if you’re sewing through thick denim or lightweight organza. It really is amazing. When I first started sewing with an Elna I was shocked. I said, “This feels like an industrial sewing machine.”

The quality is the same with both a domestic Elna and an Industrial one, especially the vintage models. The new ones are labeled as Janome, and they are more known to be industrial machines, so when talking about industrial sewing machines, you might refer to a Janome more often than any other brand. That’s because they dominate the market because they are the best. I’ve worked on many Janome industrial sewing machines and when compared to a vintage Elna, it felt just the same.

The advantage of a domestic Elna is they are smaller and cost less than industrial sewing machines, yet do the same thing.

Buy an Elna because the domestic models feel like industrial sewing machines.

CAN SEW THROUGH ANYTHING

As I mentioned above, the Elna can sew through anything. I just wanted to mention it one more time because it’s the truth. I’ve used it to sew through many layers and it purred right alone.

I’ve sewn lightweight and heavyweight materials and have not even had to change the tension or the needle. That’s amazing! It really does have the durability and strength of an industrial sewing machine and can sew through anything without a problem.

Buy an Elna because it can sew through anything!

WHERE TO GET THEM

I have found some on Amazon for you. Click on the pictures below to view them.

By the way, Crunchy Menopause is a review site that receives compensation from ShareASale, Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, eBay, and other affiliate networks whose products I review. That means if you purchase something through one of my affiliate links, I get a little bit of money.

HAPPY SEWING!