Re: UPDATE on New Machine

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 10:57:08 +1100, Gizela wrote:

> Well....I now have my sewing machine.....thankyou to all those who offered
> helpful advice.
> 
> The machine is an Elna 500 series...it has "Club Computer" written on the
> side. It is very easy to use and has some interesting looking stitches.

><snip>
> 
Hi Angela

You may still be able to do 3-4 styles of button without the special foot,
but you will need it for completely automatic buttonholes, where you dial
in the length. You can certainly order it from Elna, but Kate is right -
Elna parts are expensive. I had to replace the foot pedal on my Elna 8000
this year and it was about 150 euros - I nearly fainted. Some 
generic feet will work on the Elna, but I don't know about the buttonhole
foot - certainly, I use generic beading, sequin, cording and pintuck feet
without any problem.

You may find the Elna is choosy about thread, so try different types, and
always make sure your thread is new and of good quality - don't keep big
stocks in and let it dry out with central heating - you'll just end up with
problems. For sewing, I use DMC threads in cotton and polyester (my machine
hates Guterman sewing thread), and for embroidery, I use Madeira and
Guterman rayons, 40 weight. 

My machine came with Schmetz needles but I find it works far better with
Singer needles. This SHOULD not be the case, as they have a
different-shaped back, but I've found it to be true for some weird reason.
Change your needles often (some say every five hours, but I think that's a
bit steep, but I do change needle with every new project). When something
goes wrong with the machine, half the time a blunt needle is the problem. 

If you want to sew with metallic threads in the spool, do buy proper
'metallica' needles - they make a huge difference. And change needle
whenever you switch thread, as each type of thread cuts a different groove
in the needle eye - on a single project I might easily use three different
types of needle - one for sewing, one for embroidery and one for metallic
work. My machine is very picky about metallic threads on the spool (top
thread) but you can use near-enough anything in the bobbin (bottom thread)
by bypassing the tension.

I don't know if your model is a no-oil model, but if it is, just open it up
every so often and brush out the lint under the needle plate: never blow
into it, as this puts moisture inside the machine where you don't want it. 

Best of luck with your new machine. Come back to the group with any
questions - there are loads of people here who can help.

:) Trish