Trouble in Paradise: Elna 745

I knew it was too good to be true....that Elna 745 always causes me grief! Well for almost two hours, could I re-thread this overlocker after changing to grey thread? No, I didn't take my own advice to completely re-thread the machine when changing thread. I left the two needles with the threads on and re-threaded in any order. Big mistake the Elna 745 stitches became a tangle of grey with no chain stitch in sight!

This new thread cost around $30.00 for 5 cones with postage, made in India
bought in NZ. Has anyone used this brand before?

Lesson learnt...You must, yes you MUST re-thread in  the order stated not tie knots in the thread and take the easy way out. This machine does not like it. Well mine certainly does not, others may differ. I found out what the problem was, I needed to start back at the beginning and re-thread the Elna 745 correctly. Yes it was all my fault, I also forgot to put the thread through the clamps at the top of the machine as well.

Sewers of a young age...make the most of your young, sharp eyes, because these are the stupid mistakes you make when you are old, though not old, old yet. Not having so sharper eye sight, and two hours to spare you miss the obvious. Oh I wish I still had the eye sight of my youth I could sew black at night, see every little stitch.

Now in NZ it's almost spring and I feel like sewing, not sure what yet so I'm getting my machines ready for a hive of activity...Well I hope so I've had a long drought of no interest in sewing whats so ever.

Thanks goodness it wasn't the thread that upset my Elna's stitches..
All good now Elna 745 5-thread all ready for action.

Elna 745: 5-Thread Stitch

You know I only use this machine to sew a 2- thread rolled hem....It's rather a waste of a machine. But I have never been able to make friends with this overlocker. I either hate it, or just tolerate it.

Though I must say it's ability to power through the fabric is way much more superior than my other overlockers. I know I'm rather spoilt for choice, and that comes with age. I have been lucky enough able to try different machines as I have got older. Hence I have more overlockers than I should.

Today I dusted off the Elna 745 and decided to once again try and fix the 5-thread stitch. I bought the overlocking machine for the 5-thread only. Except the chain always kept breaking and it just would sew a 4-thread stitch.

Now to try and fix the 745 I went back to basics and did a total re-thread in the order suggested. Then changed the needles and oiled the machine.

Hmm...the spool holders won't slide to the bottom...
Are they supposed too? Maybe I have mixed up machine cones.

It's easy to oil...Just oil here

I did it I can't believe it worked. I loosened off the tension on the lower
looper which is used for making the chain stitch. It was that simple.

Next I wrote everything down that I did and  then glued a sample in a sewing book. So if it does not work again I will have a point of reference. Are we friends the 745 and I? Maybe for now...

Sewing my First Jaile Pattern

Finally I have found myself behind the machine sewing....

This adult sized circular skirt was sewn up in an evening and I was very happy with the pattern. It fitted well. I did lengthen a couple of inches onto the waist/hip band and left the pants out...Perhaps I could have gone a size smaller for fit around the waist band though.

I had a few scraps  left so I made little skirts for the girls in a size 4, that's the only pattern size fitted onto my left over scraps of fabric. A size 5 would have been better....The sparkly Lycra was a hit. I must say I enjoyed sewing the Lycra fabric it was a nice weight to sew. Sometimes Lycra can be tricky (well for me anyway).

Details:

Pattern: Jaile 3025, Download from the Jaile website.

Fabric: 4 way Sparkly wet look stretch Lycra

Cost: Around $30.00 per metre

Size: AA (14) for adult skirt

Size: H (4) for child's skirt

Style: D-Circular skirt

Fabric covered in small glittery dots...giving a wet look to it.

Minecraft Dessert for Hungry Children

Very popular with young and old...

You Need:

Cadbury Flake Chocolate bar Treat Bag  (bag of 12)
1 packet Chocolate Dots (Sun Valley)
1 packet of Oreo Chocolate Cookies
1 packet of Chocolate Chip Fudge Cookies
1 Green Jelly 
Clear plastic cups (glass would be fine too)

I used FarmBake Chocolate Chip Fudge Cookies (in the big bag).  I then measured out enough for a packet of biscuits. Ground both the Oreos and the Double Fudge cookies into a crumbly mix with  the Breville Mini Whizz. Then I added some Chocolate Dots to the mix (I didn't measure these just guess work). I wanted the mix to resemble dirt...

Next I made a Green Jelly to the instructions on the back of the packet. I use slightly less hot water. When it has cooled I pour the jelly liquid into a flat pan then let it set in the fridge. When it is ready cut the jelly up into squares.

Now pour the dirt mix equally into clear cups, then place the cut up green jelly on top. Next place a Flake brick on top on the jelly. There you have it...a perfect dessert for a Minecraft Party!

I thought I might have needed smaller cups as these went narrow at
the bottom. But boys with spoons you know they managed to
 get every crumb out!

Playing Outside in my Parka

A bit big...but so warm. I did think about unpicking the front so the elastic was tighter but in the end I left it. The next one I make will make tighter....

Finished in Time

Most of my sewing was done today. I did enjoy sewing this pattern and what a help it was to be able to refer to the blog posts over at you & mie. While I was happy with the style, I think my fabric choice was a bit difficult when I needed to bind the neck seam. I used polar/micro fleece that was stretchy and it it didn't matter how carefully you top stitched the fleece it still looked a bit shabby....

When out fabric shopping my rule that I hate sewing polar/micro fleece was soon forgotten. I was swayed by a pretty yellow coloured fabric. It was so pretty, a little bit of warmth in the middle of winter I thought to myself... Yes I'll buy that!

The parka hood and pocket are both lined with a yellow striped cotton fleece...

The photos below don't do the parka much justice, it just hangs like a sack in the pics. I need a little person to model the parka but there is not one in sight...On reflection I would certainly make this again, but I would use a lighter weight fabric. I think the pattern is definitely better in a light weight fabric. It might have made a difference if I hadn't lined the hood which added bulk.

Another sew-a-long blogger did their parka using bias to finish the seams, the edges of the hood etc. This might have worked better for my parka, I am not really happy with the front because the gathers are not very defined!

When you use a finer fabric the gathers in the front are more pronounced.
Apart from me not being so happy with the outcome this parka is
very warm and good for playing outside!

My cat is mental...he was banned from the sewing table today. But just
thought he might get in on the photo and nobody would notice!

Skirt in Linen

This is a pattern from the 80's well used and well worn.....Butterick 3457, style D, size 14-16-18. Linen always is a pleasure to sew even though it hangs all crinkly. I couldn't find a belt to thread through the loops so settled for a red sash for the pic. Otherwise the skirt would have just looked plain boring hanging there.

I lined the skirt too with a cotton type lining, usually I make it without lining...

The lens on my camera must be dirty I can see splotches...
Dah! it's my computer screen it's dirty....Better clean it!

Small Christmas Bags

I think I need bows for my bags I'm making.  Bows will make them look so much nicer. My fluffy wire stuff doesn't look too good...Oh well I'm off to the fabric shop. I guess I won't come out with just ribbon, there will be other treasures too...the joy of sewing!

French seamed the side seams and 2 thread rolled hem
on the top...

 Organza Xmas bags...

My Elna 745

My Elna overlocker has been living in the garage because it's not running well...I need to get it fixed, but there are only two Elna service agents in Christchurch. One wants you to pay $50.00 up front before they will look at the machine, the other is further away and I've never been there.

I hate the thought of paying $50.00 up front, it sort of annoys me so I haven't taken it in to be fixed yet...plus it's $130.00 for a service there. Which is a rather expensive exercise seeing my other overlocker goes elsewhere for $75.00.

Anyway I brought the Elna 745 inside and played around with it and managed to get the rolled hem going...I was so pleased, now all I have to do now is get the narrow hem working as I need to hem some fairy dresses. I wish I'd married a sewing machine mechanic (just joking).

The service can still wait a bit longer, but perhaps not too long because they might put their prices up...

Elna 745 Stitches

With my favourite overlocker not working I have been using my Elna 745.....We didn't get off to a very good start...... it looks like the knife needs sharpening....The Elna 745 was very temperamental when I tried to do a four thread stitch (it looks more like a three thread to me). Is that anything new, we have a love hate relationship! I finally figured out how to get an acceptable stitch I altered the blade width and the she started to behave herself...Here is a pic of the stitch.

This just doesn't look like a 4 thread to me....
But all 4 threads were moving, so it's got to be???
Anyway it was the best she would do on the day....
I think she needs a service.... better wait till the other one is back

Elna 745

My over locker I love her, I hate her, what a relationship we have....Now the Elna 745 is meant to be a great machine......a real workhorse. I have never put her through her full paces as I hate changing anything I want everything to done fast... I can never see the threads to thread the looper and I always break the chain on the 5 thread. But I've solved the re threading problem......Last week I went and bought one of these, the Trendy Timms overlocker threaders and this little gadget should fix the looper problem.

Perhaps I'm a creature of habit because I really love my old heavy red and cream metal Tru-lock serger best, she's only 3 thread (so old). I love my mechanical Bernina so much that I leave my Bernina Activa 220 sitting on a shelf......Would I purchase the Elna 745 again? I'm not  really sure I think I would have liked to have tried more brands first (I didn't I just bought it). The problem with this machine there is very little back up for it here......I use the Internet for information mostly. I just wish there were Elna 745 specific classes here so I could run her through her paces and know I was doing it right. Really all I needed was a 5 thread overlocker I didn't need the cover hem feature as I have the Janome 1000CP for that. It was the 5 thread and the blanket stitch that sold me (I stiil  haven't used  the blanket stitch).

You can find reviews from other sewers on the Elna 745 Overlocker here. The international Elna site here also gives you a lot of information on Elna, Overlockers and accessories .

A robust heavy machine...not a light weight
Not easy to lift and carry about....
Where you put your hands is akward
you get tangled up in the cotton...
Not a segrer you would take to classes easily

Great feature tilting needle clamp...

Easy visual instruction on machine for different stitches

Instruction booklet a bit confusing
Photos very soft not so clear and crisp
Hard to see if you are looking for the visual

Why didn't I think of this before...
How come I've never seen them are they new?