ELNA MODELS PRODUCED

1940 – 1952 Elna 1

Whilst the first Elna was not given a

model number as such, it became

known as the Elna 1, it is also known
affectionately as the Grasshopper.
Such was the soundness of its original design that only minor modifications were made during
its production life. Early machines incorporated a brake pad on the knee lever which was later
dropped. Other changes were the use of a slightly smaller motor resulting in a flat motor cover
and changes to the carrying case. Description as follows:
     
Brake PadPortable Straight Stitch with Free Arm, built-in Motor and Light. Knee Control with Brake
Pad, Horizontal Rotary Hook, drop-in Bobbin, Stitch Regulator situated on top of and at the end of the
free arm. Light weight aluminium casting, Colour Green, unusual as the standard colour for this period
was black with the usual gold decoration. The accessory box sat snugly behind the free arm. The
Carrying Case fitted around the free arm enabling the case to extend the sewing area, a unique
feature for the time.
1952 – 1956 Elna Supermatic Elna 2

The first Supermatic was launched on the 19th

April 1952, at the Swiss Industries Fair in
Basle. Again not given a model number as such, the early Supermatics became known as the Elna 2. When
compared to the Elna 1 this new machine was generations ahead in technology. The first machine capable of
automatic reverse feed stitches, creating a new benchmark for domestic sewing machines, decorative and
practical stitches such as overlock and stretch. Making all this possible was the deployment of a double profile
Disc or Cam. One profile of which controlled the needle movement from left to right, whilst at the same time the
second profile controlled the feed movement forward and backwards. This type of stitch was called super-
automatic which when abbreviated to Supermatic gave the Elna its name. Many hours of research and
development went into perfecting this new system. These new stitches were created by a central cam drive
which Tavaro called an Elnagraph, and the introduction of a new innovative feed dog with pyramid shape teeth
giving positive feed in either direction, forward or reverse, compared with the "factory roof profile" feed dog
previously used. As was the norm at the time, cams were changed by removing a lock nut, enabling the cam to
be lifted out. This task was assisted with a special forked tool supplied with the machine.

Description as follows:
Portable Free Arm machine with in-built Motor with friction drive and in-built Light. Light weight
aluminium casting, Colour Green. Knee Control using built-in Rheostat which was mounted on the
side of the motor. Horizontal Rotary Hook with drop-in Bobbin. Universal Thread Tension. Automatic
Forward and Reverse Feed. Accessory Box slides under the free arm. Green Carry Case
incorporating an extension Sew Table.
1956 – 1958 Elna Supermatic Elna 2

The second variant was Two Tone Green

and incorporated a new Cam/Disc Ejector
Button on top of the cam post, making
changing Discs quick and easy.

1958 – 1963 Elna Supermatic Elna 2

The third variant was Two Tone

Beige/Brown. Other models in this
series were Z Free Arm and Flat Bed
Zig Zag. T Straight Stitch, Free Arm and
Flat Bed Transforma. Both these
models could be converted into a
Supermatic machine.
1963 – 1964 Elna Supermatic Elna 2
The fourth and final variant was Two Tone Grey.

1958 – 1964 Elna Zig Zag and Transforma Elna 3

The Zig Zag Model was designated

model ZZ which became known as the
Elna 3. This was a practical Free Arm
machine with a Built-in Zig Zag Stitch,
Horizontal Rotary Hook with drop-in
Bobbin. Universal Thread Tension.
Needle Positioning, Universal Thread
Tension. Forward and Reverse. Knee
Control. The Transforma was
designated model ET. This was an
Automatic Free Arm machine with
independent interchangeable single
profile Discs/Cams. Needle Positioning, Forward and Reverse and Knee Control.
1964 – 1971 Elna Star Series Supermatic

The Star Series was

more than just a facelift.
It incorporated several
mechanical
improvements on the
previous models,
including a new lever
type thread escapement
or thread release
mechanism, driven by a cam, which was fixed to the lower
surface of the Rotary Hook. This system was modified twice during its production life, because of noise
concerns. The noise was caused after a build up and compacting of lint within the lever slides. Also new: Six
built-in stitches, simply selected by the turn of a wheel. Built-in Automatic Buttonhole, Needle Positioning and a
Foot Control as standard. In 1968 an Electronic Foot Control was introduced with a two speed switch, the first
of its kind. The machine was Ivory with a Light BlueTop Cover.
Star Series Rotary HookInverted to show the drive cam for the thread escapement

Thread Escapement in the Open and Closed positions

Description as follows:
Portable Free Arm machine with in-built Motor with friction drive and in-built Light. Light weight
aluminium casting. Foot Control, Horizontal Rotary Hook with drop-in Bobbin and Bobbin Extractor.
Universal Thread Tension. Automatic Forward and Reverse Feed, Six Built-in Stitches Accessories
Box slides, under the free arm. Grey Carry Case incorporating an extension Sew Table. Model 62
Supermatic Free Arm, 64 Flat Bed. Ivory with Light Blue Top Cover. Other models in the range were
11 Free Arm Straight Stitch, 13 Straight Stitch Flat Bed, Ivory. 21 Zig Zag Free Arm, 23 Zig Zag Flat
Bed, Ivory with a Grey Top Cover. 31 Special Free Arm, 33 Special Flat Bed, Ivory with a Pink Top
Cover. 41 Automatic Free Arm, 43 Automatic Flat Bed, Ivory with Light Green Top Cover. All models
with the exception of the 31, 33SP could be converted into a Supermatic machine.

1971 – 1978 Elna Star Series SU

The SU was basically an

update which
incorporated a change in
the Six Built-in Stitches
and New control knobs.
Blue Carrying Case.
Model 62 SU Free Arm,
64 SU Flat Bed. Ivory
with Light Blue Top
Cover. Other models in
the range 11 EC Straight
Stitch Free Arm, 13 EC
Straight Stitch Flat Bed,
Ivory. 21 ZZ Free Arm,
23 ZZ Flat Bed, Ivory
with Grey Top Cover. 31
SP Free Arm, 33 SP Flat
Bed, Ivory with Pink Top Cover. 72 TSP Free Arm, 74 TSP Flat Bed, Ivory with Ochre Top Cover. 41 ST Free
Arm, 43 ST Flat Bed, Ivory with Light Green Top Cover. All models with the exception of the 31, 33SP could be
converted into a Supermatic machine.
1968 – 1978 Elna Lotus

This little Elna opened up like Lotus Petals

and so derived its name from the flower. The Lotus was another innovative design by Elna, the work
of Marcel Fresard. In 1968 it was considered quite a breakthrough. The first compact sewing machine
in the world without a separate carrying case, sewing table or accessory box. This machine
incorporated a folding carrying handle, three hinged flaps that when closed eliminated the need for a
carry case and when opened formed an extended sewing area. The accessory box was built-in to the
top of the machine; accessories were stored in recessed locations and were secured by a hinge cover
forming the top of the machine. Another feature of the Lotus was a Dial Coupling Device whereby the
machine could be set to the normal sewing position, bobbin winding or the lock position. When set in
the lock position, the Thread Take-up Lever was held in its lowest position, enabling the front flap to
fully close. This also avoided any possible damage to the flap by movement of the lever in transit.
Lightweight and very compact, with its unique design it was selected for permanent display by the
Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Description as follows

Portable Flat Bed sewing machine with in-built Motor with friction drive and in-built Light. Light weight
aluminium casting. Foot Control, Horizontal Rotary Hook with drop-in Bobbin and Bobbin Extractor.
Universal Thread Tension. Forward and Reverse Feed, available models at release; 15EC (Straight
Stitch), 25 ZZ (Zig Zag Stitch), 35 SP (Three Built-in Stitches, Zig Zag, Serpentine Stitch and Stretch
Blind Hem). Colour Ivory with Dark Grey Face Plate and End Plate.