Elna Supermatic

A watershed in sewing machine innovation, the Elna Supermatic is a core component of any collection.  I've owned this machine for just a few days and despite two issues that are eminently fixable, this Supermatic has won a place of honor in my house.

This is an example of the two-toned models that were several years later than the all-green Supermatic -- the Elna 2 -- that followed the Grasshopper model, the Elna 1.  Despite its obvious vintage look and appeal, it's quite a modern machine in that it takes single- and double-layered cams in a clever mechanism whereupon the following arms adjust for both length and width, a remarkable innovation in the 1950s.  There is no food pedal; rather, the machine is operated via knee bar and the light switch is not an interlock, allowing for operation without the use of the built-in light.

The bobbin/needle area is interesting.  There is no bobbin case for the drop-in design: just drop it in under the door behind the needle, threading upwards to the needle.  A low shank design, feet and other attachments are easily and inexpensively found.  Feed dogs surround the needle area, so the feed is unusually steady.

The tension dial is above and slightly left of the needle area, as the thread path is from behind.  Not only does the 1 - 9 dial offer a lot of variation in tension, the discs are large so that surface area provides superior tension control on all types of threads.

There are controls for needle position, width, length, etc. and an Automatic setting for buttonhole sewing.  My machine has two issues: the small knob on the end of the width lever has snapped off and the seller kept the knob; also, the needle clamp is hitting the edge of the nose plate door in the widest zig-zag setting.  The first problem involves repairing with the old knob or finding a replacement part -- easy.  I haven't figure out what is causing the second issue.  It doesn't appear to be timing but rather an alignment adjustment.  I'm guessing the home position of the needle bar has vibrated out of alignment over the years and a screw needs tightening.

The machine runs like a top.  It was extremely dirty but I've mostly cleaned in up on the outside and am in the process of getting the insides in better shape.  The smoothness and low humming sound it makes is such a pleasure, particularly at the speeds it achieves.  (Rotary hook, natch.)

I love this machine and am looking forward to adding more Supermatics to the collection.