Elna

[Rob H.]

Does anyone have experience with Elna machines, and if so, what is your opinion of them vs other major brands?

[Sharon E.]

I have a small Elna that I actually won from our State Quilt Guild. I had to claim $900 for my taxes and I NEVER would have paid that much for it. However, it is in the Janome family and I can interchange feet. It works well, but not a workhorse, which I need. But I do think Elna is a decent brand. If you want a much better machine go with Janome.

Hope that helps, Sharon in Cold Colorado

[Sharon E.]

Hi, I have an Elna 740 eXcellence which came with 14 presser feet neatly organized in a built-in organizer. It is mostly made of iron, so is very heavy. It is my go-to machine for almost all of my quilt- piecing, clothing and decor fabrics.
Then I have a vintage Elna Lotus which I use for classes and traveling.
I use an Elna 7100 on my short-arm quilting frame to do my quilting.
*** You cannot go wrong with an Elna.
All three of these machines are workhorses....I plugged them in when I got them, and have never had any trouble with any of them. Apart from changing bobbins, needles and occasional oiling, these machines start immediately - even when I have not worked on them for any length of period. I do not need to fiddle with them before I can work....just plug in, turn on and start to feed the fabric through.
*** I gave my Bernina to my sister....I just could not tolerate its finicky-ness with threads, and tension and and and......the troubles just never stopped. But my sister loves her.
HTH.
Take care,
Carol

[Sharon E.]

Elna machines are manufactured by Janome and are exactly the same machines as Janome but with Elna branding.

[Sharon E.]

I needed a simple inexpensive machine that sews everything. I tried different, I liked this one the most - Elna 1150. And sews well and beautiful.
fairly practical, powerful and reliable model. The level of ease of operation for this model is average, but extremely easy to use.