Elna Supermatic stitching problem
ELNA SUPERMATIC STITCHING PROBLEM
While the incredible vintage Elna Supermatic sewing machines are able to sew an absolutely amazing number of stitches, & do an incredible job, like any machine, they can have stitching problems, which need addressed.
I enjoy mending my family's quilts, which are made of a variety of fabrics, from denim, to corduroy, and involve at least 3 layers, as well as sometimes needing to stitch over the ties, when I am patching them. Yes, I could remove the ties, but on quilts made by my hubby's now deceased grandma, I want to leave as much of the original work she did by hand, to remain a part of the quilt, so I wind up needing to stitch over uneven layers, which can cause stitching problems.
The biggest problem I wind up with, is when I literally end up stitching the bobbin to the machine! I used to think it was because I sometimes cheat, and use Singer class 66 bobbins, because I only have 1 Necchi bobbin, lol! It turned out, though, that usually what causes these specific jams, is when I sew FAST, since these Elna's as fast as 1,550 stitches per minute, and it makes the thread spool spin so fast, that it causes backspin, and the thread winds itself UNDER the spool, so the upper thread gets caught, and the machine continues to stitch longer than the thread releases, so the machine is unable to release the bobbin stitches, so the machine literally stitches itself, together.
(NOTE: This tendency to backspin, and stitching problems caused by spools unreeling too fast, with high speed sewing, is one reason why cross wound thread, and cones came into more common use, especially for industrial sewing. For best results, the thread feeds straight off the top of the cone or spool -many machines have a special thread cap to allow regular spools to be used just like a crosswise wound thread. )
To release these jams, your best bet, is to cut both the needle thread (right below the needle), and after opening the bobbin cover, snip (or use a surgical seam ripper, if you have one) the bobbin threads, which are awkward to get to, and once the threads are all snipped, it will release your sewing project, without damaging it. As long as you are patient, and deal with the jam calmly, there should be no damage to your machine, or your project, but sometimes, you will hear a metallic "click", as one of these jams form, and sometimes, the machine won't be able to release stitches, when you rethread it, but just jam again, when you try to sew.
What causes this, is the built in bobbin case, being moved out of position. It is similar to the manner in which a Singer Featherweight 221, or 301, can have the bobbin "finger" out of position, and everything will look like it is working right, but you get thread jams, because the bobbin case is not staying in the correct position, for correct stitch formation. The "finger" on the built in Elna bobbin case, is supposed to be located so it is pointing between the feed dogs, towards the front of the machine, but when these thread jams form, it pulls the bobbin itself, & the built in bobbin case, towards the needle plate, & the "finger", will jump over the piece of metal it is supposed to stay behind, which causes the stitch formation problems, even though the bobbin system will continue to rotate, tricking you into thinking you can still sew, lol!
To fix this problem, I literally, just gently lift & rotate the bobbin case back to the right, over the top of the metal piece that it is supposed to stay behind. It is still attached to the machine, but has just enough play to allow you to return it to the correct position. Once it is back in position, the bobbin case itself, will stay more level, & stitches will form properly, again. I will try to add photos, if I remember, to help people see what the issue is, & how to fix it.
I enjoy mending my family's quilts, which are made of a variety of fabrics, from denim, to corduroy, and involve at least 3 layers, as well as sometimes needing to stitch over the ties, when I am patching them. Yes, I could remove the ties, but on quilts made by my hubby's now deceased grandma, I want to leave as much of the original work she did by hand, to remain a part of the quilt, so I wind up needing to stitch over uneven layers, which can cause stitching problems.
The biggest problem I wind up with, is when I literally end up stitching the bobbin to the machine! I used to think it was because I sometimes cheat, and use Singer class 66 bobbins, because I only have 1 Necchi bobbin, lol! It turned out, though, that usually what causes these specific jams, is when I sew FAST, since these Elna's as fast as 1,550 stitches per minute, and it makes the thread spool spin so fast, that it causes backspin, and the thread winds itself UNDER the spool, so the upper thread gets caught, and the machine continues to stitch longer than the thread releases, so the machine is unable to release the bobbin stitches, so the machine literally stitches itself, together.
(NOTE: This tendency to backspin, and stitching problems caused by spools unreeling too fast, with high speed sewing, is one reason why cross wound thread, and cones came into more common use, especially for industrial sewing. For best results, the thread feeds straight off the top of the cone or spool -many machines have a special thread cap to allow regular spools to be used just like a crosswise wound thread. )
To release these jams, your best bet, is to cut both the needle thread (right below the needle), and after opening the bobbin cover, snip (or use a surgical seam ripper, if you have one) the bobbin threads, which are awkward to get to, and once the threads are all snipped, it will release your sewing project, without damaging it. As long as you are patient, and deal with the jam calmly, there should be no damage to your machine, or your project, but sometimes, you will hear a metallic "click", as one of these jams form, and sometimes, the machine won't be able to release stitches, when you rethread it, but just jam again, when you try to sew.
What causes this, is the built in bobbin case, being moved out of position. It is similar to the manner in which a Singer Featherweight 221, or 301, can have the bobbin "finger" out of position, and everything will look like it is working right, but you get thread jams, because the bobbin case is not staying in the correct position, for correct stitch formation. The "finger" on the built in Elna bobbin case, is supposed to be located so it is pointing between the feed dogs, towards the front of the machine, but when these thread jams form, it pulls the bobbin itself, & the built in bobbin case, towards the needle plate, & the "finger", will jump over the piece of metal it is supposed to stay behind, which causes the stitch formation problems, even though the bobbin system will continue to rotate, tricking you into thinking you can still sew, lol!
To fix this problem, I literally, just gently lift & rotate the bobbin case back to the right, over the top of the metal piece that it is supposed to stay behind. It is still attached to the machine, but has just enough play to allow you to return it to the correct position. Once it is back in position, the bobbin case itself, will stay more level, & stitches will form properly, again. I will try to add photos, if I remember, to help people see what the issue is, & how to fix it.
