r/sewhelp • u/opiasinnem • 8h ago

💛Beginner💛 Thread gets stuck and cuts off - Elna Lotus SP

Hi! I recently got this Elna sewing machine, it worked fine at first but suddenly it started making a mess with tangled thread.
I’ve looked for videos of people servicing this machine and fixing some frequent troubles, and I have opened it and checked everything, but can’t find something that helps. I’m just waiting on some sewing machine oil I purchased to arrive so I can check that, but I’m sure that’s not the main issue here.
Seems as the bottom thread, the one in the bobbin, can’t get up, and the top thread gets tangled below, it gets stuck and cuts off. I’ve recorded the same process with and without the covers so you can see better. Also I recorded the way that I have threaded both threads so to check if I made any mistakes there.
Please help! Thank you!

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u/crkvintage 8h ago

1.) You bobbin case has been dislodged. The little protrusion now at about 8 o'clock should be on the 6 o'clock side of the black metal bar visible just left of the transport feet. Or in other words - the "u" shaped cutout should be don at 6 o' clock, and slide down in a cutout.. So as it is your bobbin case also sits to high. That also accounts for the excessive movement of the bobbin case.

2.) You are using the wrong bobbin. Elna bobbins for the Lotus (and yes, there are several different Elna bobbins, of which only one type will work) are always metal and have one solid side and 7 holes on the other.

3.) Don't sew without fabric, that will always end up in a mess. The fabric is as important in the process, a lockstitch machine like the Lotus can't sew in thin air.

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u/opiasinnem 6h ago

Thanks!! Funny enough, I figured the first point using trial and error, and the little bit of thinking capacity I had left at that point 😅.
As for the bobbin, I bought some metallic ones as well, with the oil, but decided to give this one a try because it worked for a good while until it didn’t.
Thanks a lot! I feel like I learned so much just today trying to fix this. I’m eager to keep learning ☺️

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u/thermalcat 8h ago

That bobbin looks awfully low in the bobbin case, do you have any other bobbins?

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u/opiasinnem 6h ago

I bought some! They’re on the way ☺️