Best. Thrifting. Ever.

Hello! I just wanted to write a quick post to share my latest thrifting find with you! I'm absolutely amazed with my luck. This is a longish story - skip to the bottom for the goodies.

I've been eyeing thrift stores for sewing machines for about a year now. And it was like all of a sudden no one was donating them! I haven't seen any in ages. Until last week.

My hip was sore, but the boys needed out, so we went looking for books at Goodwill. And found a ton of science books - A's favorite. Dry reading, but he gets a lot out of them, and loves them dearly. I checked out the electronics and found a grody Kenmore sewing machine, nothing special, and just not all that likeable. Figures, the first machine I see in almost a year is that.

Anyway, C started acting up and going nuts. So we looped around the store to make sure we didn't miss anything, and I went back by electronics again. Now, I don't know if I missed it the first time, or if they had put it there while I was looking at books, but there's a strange sewing machine sitting there. Like, not like one I'd seen before. It was in a self-contained case and had a weird pedal. It was older, maybe 70s or 80s, but had charm to it.  It wasn't a name I instantly knew...like Singer, Kenmore, and such. This was an Elna. Some alarm bell was ringing in my head telling me to buy it, but I couldn't tell why. It wasn't cheap as far as thrifting goes, $40, but since it had the pedal and plug, I splurged, since the alarm bell wouldn't let it go.

I got it home, cleaned it out - delinting, checking the gears and guts, figure out how the accessories tray works, because it's weird, and check out the pedal. Now, for those of you like me who don't know about sewing machines and their differences, this was completely new to me. It's a pedal that has an air tube you "plug in" to the machine. The air pressure change tells the machine when to sew. Cool, right?

At this point, I can't figure out a couple of the quirks for it (no manual) and I go to research it online.  Found a manual to purchase a PDF copy of too.

I find out that it's called an Elna Carina SU, Model 65.  And apparently it's a solid machine, a work horse, and it was made in Switzerland, before the manufacturing country changed for Elna.

Finally I remember what an Elna is - those fancy machines I can't afford at the big sewing shops!  Originally this gal was above $1000 new. Whoah, right? It's not like finding a secondhand $100 Singer. This is awesome!

Sure, you're thinking, that's great. But does it work?  I'm happy to report...it works. Not only does it work, it works solidly. It works gorgeous stitches that are even and perfect. It kicks my new Singer's butt. Like, a lot. You can just tell it's a well made machine. Sturdy and solid.

But wait - I haven't told you the coolest part yet.  This model (and a few others) have something called the Elna Disc.  At this point, these machine have a drop in area on top, and you put a disc in for certain stitches.

Wait you say, my machine does special stitches without all of that.

Well, sure, but here's the difference - there are so many cool options for stitches! Things you've never seen before!

Ray White at White's Sewing Center share's this chart of all the cam (disc) types and their stitches:

There's hearts (129), ducks on water (134), stars (133), vines (121), and so on. Isn't that the coolest thing ever???

So now I have another thing to collect. And I'm so excited!  I found some on Etsy and they are coming my way soon. I can't wait to make some cool embroidered clothing! Without having to do it by hand!!

I have plenty more details and whatnot to show you with this machine, testing out the cool stitches.  But it's long enough for today, eh?

I'm taking a short blogging break - my old creaky arthritic hand is having a hard week, and typing and crafting are a big of a painful struggle right now. I'll be back once I work that out! Cheers!