Not_Happy_JanSydney
- 3 reviews
Didn't work out of the box
I purchased this a few years ago and thought I was too stupid to set it up and get it working despite poring over every detail in the manual. I was planning on going back to Spotlight to ask for help threading it, but when I enquired about it they said they didn't really do that. I was told it would be pot luck that someone may have the time and skill if I took it to the store, but no, I couldn't pre-arrange it. I booked in and took it to a 2 day community college course on learning to use an overlocker, super excited about all the fun I was go...Read more
ing to have, and the teacher soon realised it didn't work and said it would need servicing. She was pretty appalled to find it was faulty out of the box. By this time the warranty had expired, and I realise I am responsible for not seeking help with it earlier, but a $599.00 product should work when purchased!! I'm clearly not the only one to have had problems with this model. I most certainly wouldn't recommend it and it's a shame because my vintage Elna sewing machines are still amazing. I know that's comparing apples and oranges, but it's sad to see the good Elna name go down the drain. I ended up recently buying a Brother overlocker and was competent in threading and using it less than 20 minutes after unboxing it. I'm left deciding whether to have the Elna serviced, or just cut my losses and sell 'as is' on eBay.1 comment
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Nightmare
When it stays threaded, it works well but that is the problem- it doesn't stay threaded. This overlocker drives
me nuts and the worse thing is its my first Overlocker that I invested in a few years ago and I'm very sorry I did.Instruction book terrible. Very disappointed, I don't use it like I would like to as I'm too scared that I am going to
spend more time trying to rethread. Would not recommend at all.
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I love this machine so much easier than old serger
I have had no problems with threading my machine. If I did have any problems it was easy to remedy. All the tools store in the little drawer on the side. The cue cards are very helpful to change stitches quickly. It has made my sewing so much more enjoyable and professional looking.
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Elna 654 - nightmare to thread
This seems to be an ok machine but its a nightmare to thread. The manual is absolutely no help at all with tiny diagrams and useless text - what the hell is a V cutout?? I sent a message to Elna today only to be told to take it to a retailer and for a cost they will thread it for me. Why can't they just put out a video on how its done or at least some sort of clear instructions.
Nup! Unless you have the patience of a saint forget it.
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Wish I had never bought it
I bought this machine on the recommendation of the store rep when I was shopping around to replace my other serger when it bit the dust. Many people who worked in the store had one and they all loved theirs. So I bought it. I don't know where to begin to tell you how much grief it has given me. Threading it is a nightmare compared to my other sergers. The color coding dots don't even jive with the illustration on the inside of the front panel. The manual is useless as far as helping you to thread it. And there are no online videos to help. I do...Read more
n't need anything fancy most of the time, just a standard 4-thread serging stitch. Since day 1, I have not been able to get a consistent stitch, have spent HOURS and HOURS rethreading, changing needles, trying everything I can think of to get a nice stitch, and am sending it back to the store. I wanted to love it, and would be happy to share a positive experience, but I am a full-time seamstress who cannot be without a functioning serger. I cannot honestly recommend this machine in good conscience. There are better machines out there that are easier to thread and that actually work. This one - on my first project - literally jammed when it came up to a pleat in the fabric - 4 layers consisting of two layers of taffeta and two layers of organza - so hardly a "thick" combination of fabrics. I switch to my old serger EVERY single time I don't have time to waste trying to get the Elna to work. I am truly disappointed. If you are going to consider this machine, don't buy it online. Make sure you buy it from a store where you can return it if you need to.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Very difficult to thread
I bought the machine on sale at Spootlight in Auckland back in 2010 still today having issues treading it, it is an absolute nightmare.. Took to a friend expert on overloocker she could not make it work. Wondering whether it is me or the machine,I would not recommend this machine the pain is more than the gain... Other machines does not seem to have this issue
The add showed lots of possibilities
Threading
2 comments
I'd urge everyone to take your advice. Same experience. Dreadful machine! My previous machine was 20 years old and even at that age, is better than this Elna bought from Spotlight
Phew! Good to investigate & read reviews before rushing off to buy. I've just seen this very same model in the Spotlight brochure on sale for $250 ... I won't be going near it now! Thanks for the heads-up ladies. So grateful for your reviews.
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bellbell8807AU
- 3 reviews
I love this machine!
My husband bought this overlocker for me as a christmas gift in 2008. It revolutionised my sewing overnight and I totally love it. I was a complete sewing novice and had never even used an overlocker before. I had some trouble threading it for the first time but eventually nutted it out with the instructions (which could be a little clearer for the first time user). Overall it's a lovely machine and I highly recommend it if you can afford it.
Easy to use and very very tough! It can overlock layers of really thick denim fabrics or rolled edg...Read more
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tmitc48
- 24 reviews
OK
Overall it does as advertised. Our review has been colored by the initial two faulty machines. Would have given it a higher rating without the problems.
I bought an Elna 654 because it had the features I wanted. It has a well formed stitch and is quite to use. Initially it was out of my price range $899. I considered Brother 3034D $699 and a similar Janome. The Elna came on special and the price came within my price range.
It appears to be a solid machine. Well packaged. Dealer support was good as we had initial problems. The first two...Read more
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Frustration Personified!
Bought my machine November 2010 on sale. Have used overlockers for many years so expected no issues. I have tried using it at home with little success. I have had a lesson on it (through the store I bought it at) and understood more about threading etc. Brought it back home expecting to sew. Have practised threading it countless time, both at the store (under the guidance of the assistant) and then at home. I have threaded it with coloured thread to correspond with the diagrams so that I can see what is going wrong. Not having any luck. Here ar...Read more
e my experiences: 1. Thread snaps shortly after pressing on foot pedal. Constantly. 2. Very difficult to thread the lower looper (green). Doesn't like staying threaded. This often happens to be the thread that snaps as well. 3. Makes a "clunky" noise to get going Built in sewing guide. Built in tools. Thread snaps. Difficult to thread. Not enough information in the manual.2 comments
I have the very same problem. I sometimes fluke the correct threading, but not often. It usualy goes back in the cupboard until I have more patience. A real shame though because when it is workin, I love it1
I seem to be having the same problem with the threading, is there anyone who could help with this problem, as it is no use to me without this knowledge.
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Not_Happy_Jan
As an update to my review, I recently found a video on Youtube discussing this machine and discovered that approximately 50% of these models were distributed with errors in the threading codes. The di... Read more
agram on the inside cover does not correlate with the coloured dots on the machine which would account for the main problems people are having with this model. With this new information I decided to get my machine out of the cupboard where it has sat for over 4 years and attempt to use it again. The lady who put the video on Youtube had contacted Elna and had been advised to follow the guideline on the door of the overlocker and not the coloured dots. It was still a bit confusing but I seem to have finally got it threaded correctly. At first the overlocker appeared that it had seized in storage, but it loosened up and I have been able to successfully sew a 4 thread stitch. I'm going to try changing tensions etc and see how it performs. Won't it be wonderful if this thing is not a lemon after all!? Here's hoping....