How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

“How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?”, implies that we need a basic understanding of Elna Sewing machines.  

Elna sewing machines are a line of sewing machines originally designed and manufactured in Switzerland.   They have been well known for their precision and dependability.  Today the Elna sewing machines are designed in Switzerland, but manufactured by Janome in Japan.   There are many different models from the past as well as new models. 

 How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

We need a general understanding of threading. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

Threading is largely the same as threading other sewing machines. 

Without thread there is no sewing. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

Thread is an essential.  The Elna sewing machine uses thread to join fabrics together.  One thread fills a bobbin and is inserted under the fabric flow.  One thread is drawn through the eye of the needle from above. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

The Elna sewing machine moves the needle down through the fabric and beyond.  The thread from above is caught by the sewing machine hook and pulled around the bobbin thread.  As the needle withdraws and moves up, it tightens the threads into a locked stitch inside the fabric. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

Unfortunately, when an Elna sewing machine is not properly threaded, the stitching is distorted or possibly ruined completely.  There are many ways to improperly thread a sewing machine, but only one right way to thread a sewing machine. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

While there are thousands of different models of sewing machines, and each one has its own unique way to accommodate the threading process; they are all essentially the same.

The upper thread comes wound on a spool.  The spools come in a variety of different shapes and designs, but they all work the same.   The spool of thread is placed over a spool pin which may be horizontally or vertically mounted to the sewing machine. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?

A simple and easy way to thread a sewing machine is to draw the thread through, around, and over the various thread guides to the needle.   Sound easy?  It is.

Then, why are there so many mistakes made threading a sewing machine?  It must be done perfectly every time.  No mistakes.

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?  This is it.   Here are the key instructions, threading an Elna sewing machine begins at the thread spool.  It must be properly placed on the spool.  Draw the thread from right to left.  Draw the thread from the spool pin to the first guide. 

 How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine? 

Caution. Threads often snag.  Rough spots on the spool snag threads. Double check that the thread flows freely off the spool.  If the spool pin is horizon, use a spool cap.  The spool cap should be just slightly larger than the end of the thread spool.  The spool cap lifts the thread off the edge of the spool where it might snag. 

On some rear mounted vertical spool pins, a spool net is needed.  Spool net is net material used to guide the thread and prevent snags. Spool or thread net may be needed to keep the thread from getting snarled as it flows off the spool pin.

Draw the thread through the first thread guide.  Look to the left for another thread guide.  There may be up to four thread guides from across the top, back, and toward the front of the sewing machine.  Many newer machines make this easier by numbering the threading steps so you can just follow the numbers. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?  This is it.

From the thread guides, the thread must be drawn through the tension discs.  Older machines have front mounted tension assemblies that are obvious, but often the tension assemblies are hidden under the covers. 

Threading through the tensions is a common source of problems.  Raise the presser foot lever when you begin threading and keep it up until you reach the needle.

The thread must follow through the upper thread guides and through the tension discs.  These discs consist of two or more flat round discs that press against the thread during sewing to provide “tension”. 

Thread flows through the tension discs.  The thread must flow through the tension spring.  This keeps the tension on the thread stable during sewing. 

Next the thread must flow through the sewing machine take up lever, and back down through any remaining tension guides to the eye of the needle. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?  This is it.

Finally, the thread must flow through the eye of the needle.

Test the tension by slightly tugging on the end of the thread.  You should feel very little resistance.  Now drop the presser foot and test again.  (Remember it has been up until now.)  You should feel resistance now.  Finish the threading by threading the needle. 

How Do You Thread the Elna Sewing Machine?