tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post3646790308139314718..comments2023-10-18T03:35:07.015-04:00Comments on Scrappy Happy Starfishy: Meet Mabel, She's My Supermatic Sewing MachineEvelyn aka Starfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12025353776081066815noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-19448177086957534632018-12-14T23:49:42.439-05:002018-12-14T23:49:42.439-05:00this is an elna SUPER machine, not supermatic. the...this is an elna SUPER machine, not supermatic. there is a difference and I have the SUPER. the SUPERMATIC looks a lot different.Ariellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-7487523507741549032018-09-07T21:18:05.631-04:002018-09-07T21:18:05.631-04:00It sounds like to are very handy and crafty. I da...It sounds like to are very handy and crafty. I dabble in a lot of crafts, but I think quilting is my favorite right now. I love you pictures of your socks you made. I am just learning how to make the toe up socks using 2 sets of circular needles. It is interesting. I lost my pattern and now have to find a pattern so I know how to do the heels. <br />Happy knittingQuilting Grannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06273349428212488143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-88637775284066240512018-09-07T21:13:41.780-04:002018-09-07T21:13:41.780-04:00Hi I love your description of Mabel. She is a new...Hi I love your description of Mabel. She is a newer version of the Elna Supermatic I inherited from my mother. Mine is Green. I have to say it is still running and works well. I do have a problem with the Supermatic head that controls the cams for the stitches. It doesn't work well. And it is expensive to find parts for. Luckily a friend of mine had her mother's old Elna that is almost the same year as mine. I am hoping that the Supermatic head on it will work on Mom's machine. Just so you know how tough your machine is my mother was a qualified and certified tailor and seamstress. She sewed custom made suits for men as well as lots of dressmaking for women clients. She used her Elna for all the years she was sewing for clients as well as sewing for all 4 of her kids. So it was a real workhorse for her. It is still sewing along quite nicely. I am doing a rag time quilt with blue jeans for my daughter. It hasn't missed a stitch yet. So happy sewing for many years. Mabel will treat you well if you treat her well. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-66730152025807723992017-10-22T15:03:16.339-04:002017-10-22T15:03:16.339-04:00I had the same sewing machine - the Elna Supermati...I had the same sewing machine - the Elna Supermatic - and I loved it! <br />Marshall Field's store had it way back in the 60's, and I used to look at it and dream of owning it someday.... and then I found one in perfect condition.<br />So easy to take care of. <br />Sold it years ago and bought an Elna 1010, which is more basic and a bit smaller.<br /><br />The Supermatic has the most precise embroidery designs - beautiful.<br />And it's a solid workhorse for any kind of sewing. <br />Glad you also love your Mabel! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14069041792502740457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-77060355389229308812015-10-13T20:37:52.110-04:002015-10-13T20:37:52.110-04:00My mom bought this machine in 1967 with her first ...My mom bought this machine in 1967 with her first paycheque from her first full time job. I grew up sewing on it. Luckily after I moved out, my mom found the same machine at a garage sale for $30 CDN and scooped it up for me. I can't count the number of hours I've put on that machine, but I know it's been lots! I used to have an Etsy shop, so it was well used. So glad to find another Supermatic fan. You lucked out. I hope she is still treating you well!Nadine H.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-13433932721313901882014-06-13T19:53:58.881-04:002014-06-13T19:53:58.881-04:00Hi there,
I just got this same Elna machine from m...Hi there,<br />I just got this same Elna machine from my employer's sister-in-law. Is there any way I could have a manual for it? I am new to everything in sewing. Thank you.Graciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05415991586303988257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-2781132743829045712014-02-24T07:47:05.954-05:002014-02-24T07:47:05.954-05:00Hello there,
I also have this Elna machine, and ha...Hello there,<br />I also have this Elna machine, and have been trying to find the user manual online with no luck...do you have the manual to go with your machine?<br />Best wishes :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122470181150986610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-33858388905538219712013-08-23T10:26:28.395-04:002013-08-23T10:26:28.395-04:00Thanks so much for the article on the Elna. I also...Thanks so much for the article on the Elna. I also have a very old one. I bought it in England early 70's (ST). It wasn't too too expensive, but I couldn't afford the next up from this. The zigzag just died on it. Will of course get it fixed, but right now my newer, but much older in age, Pfaff has broken its fanbelt which is seeming to be very difficult to replace. I think I will buy a new (old) Elna in the meantime. Thanks again.Supergranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10660357588146402578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-53316243730552153702013-05-29T04:36:29.114-04:002013-05-29T04:36:29.114-04:00I have the same sowing machine :-)and was looking ...I have the same sowing machine :-)and was looking for the instruction guide. (I'm from the Netherlands so sorry for my Englisch? ) A Dutch friend of mine lives in Norway (I got my Mabel from his mother) and he has a Dutch neighbor who has also the same Elna. He recognized the somwing machine. She had the guide, in Norwegian… so if you are interested? I can send you a Zip file. It contains a lot of images, and with google translate …..<br /><br />CarolienAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-55352752400784662602013-05-15T13:09:41.119-04:002013-05-15T13:09:41.119-04:00Wow, your machine looks much less used than mine. ...Wow, your machine looks much less used than mine. Like others i have to get a new cord and its proving very hard to do in England. Do you know the model number of your supermatic so i can be more precise in my search?<br />Have you cracked the instructions for automatic buttonholes - dead easy. I canpost them if you like.Bezznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-50116849939199642962013-03-17T05:23:01.971-04:002013-03-17T05:23:01.971-04:00I have a supermatic and I love her. I sew on an i...I have a supermatic and I love her. I sew on an industrial machine for a living, but my super lives at home. I hope you persevere with the automatic buttonhole - it is a complicated process, but I nearly have it down without having to open the manual.Notchkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401445437909667903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-8850893853160672272011-01-10T21:12:33.575-05:002011-01-10T21:12:33.575-05:00I have a "Mabel" just like yours. I inh...I have a "Mabel" just like yours. I inherited from my mom, who incidentally sewed my wedding gown on her Elna. She bought the sewing maching in April 1969 and paid $300 for it. I haven't used the cams yet, but I remember her "playing" with them!<br />JoanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05121354491589071372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-27742850280336214562011-01-10T21:10:43.319-05:002011-01-10T21:10:43.319-05:00You are SO lucky to have Mabel! I have a "Ma...You are SO lucky to have Mabel! I have a "Mabel", too. Just like yours. I inherited it from my mom and I remember when she bought it. I even have her receipt! It was April 1969 and she paid $300 for it. I haven't used the cams yet but I remember how much Mom "played with it" when she first bought it. My wedding was sewn on my "Mabel" by my mom...<br />JoanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05121354491589071372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-42594953372284435672010-08-22T16:52:13.631-04:002010-08-22T16:52:13.631-04:00Well, I wrote a comment and it said it was anonymo...Well, I wrote a comment and it said it was anonymous and wouldn't allow, but here I am trying again. I have been sewing on my Supermatic Elna since 1968 and yes, it has only needed oiling! Yay! I just have to get the cord fixed now as that does not seem to be working properly. Bye for now.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421790931404270954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-22945157006235141572010-08-22T16:50:02.105-04:002010-08-22T16:50:02.105-04:00I was net looking for new cord for my Supermatic E...I was net looking for new cord for my Supermatic Elna Sewing machine, same as yours, and your pic showed up so thought I would read what you wrote. Yes, I agree, except for the cord problem, I have been sewing on my Elna since 10th grade when my Mom purchased it in 1968. It is terrific and only oiling too. Yay! Happy sewing, and me too, once I find how to fix the cord! :)Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421790931404270954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-55024736099041993132010-06-13T12:01:31.101-04:002010-06-13T12:01:31.101-04:00How nice to know that the 'old things' are...How nice to know that the 'old things' are still appreciated and loved, again. Thanks for taking care of Mabel. 8-))Elaine Adairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14664504842156046995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-37313671317073457502010-06-02T09:59:08.962-04:002010-06-02T09:59:08.962-04:00What a fabulous hand-me-down. I bet the previous ...What a fabulous hand-me-down. I bet the previous owner is smiling down with appreciation.<br /><br />Love that bodice piece! Very cool.Darciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16174123533089213020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-81769023841756093242010-06-01T15:31:24.090-04:002010-06-01T15:31:24.090-04:00I couldn't agree with you more. My machine of ...I couldn't agree with you more. My machine of choice is a 1933 Singer 15-88 which cost me $20. I am its second owner.<br /><br />I have a buttonhole attachment set up on another old Singer.<br /><br />For Mabel the buttonhole is likely made thus:<br />1. set zig-zag to wide and zero length, stitch 3 or 4 stitches<br />2. set zig-zag to a tad less than half width and stitch length fairly short so stiches are close together. Stitch up one side. Stop with needle down on outside.<br />3. set zig-zag to wide and zero length, stitch 5 or 6 stitches<br />4. turn the work and repeat step number 2<br />5. set zig-zag to wide and zero length, stitch 2 or 3 stitches. Knot off by hand or set all to zero and stitch in place to knot off.Henriettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00980100650453154588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-34738329792655175952010-05-30T07:37:28.967-04:002010-05-30T07:37:28.967-04:00An old machine is soooo much better than a cheap n...An old machine is soooo much better than a cheap new one. My DIL bought a very cheap one at Walmart and they can never get the tension to stay put. I told them to go to the local thrift shop and pay $65 for an old one and at that price there is usually even a cabinet. Our thrift shop even services them before setting them out in the shopping area.Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083924435653058457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18538999.post-70587990429200937252010-05-29T19:55:33.790-04:002010-05-29T19:55:33.790-04:00There is NOTHING better than an older sewing machi...There is NOTHING better than an older sewing machine! They only require a bit of oil, a new needle once in a while, and they just whiz along and never complain. Yeah, I got a "new" machine too, and is she whiney and sniveley, complains and takes LONG BREAKS that are expensive. I only use her once a year or so, and now have a different old Singer than can replace her! HAH! Picking up an old machine for $20, sure beats those +$70 repair bills!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930975280752577392noreply@blogger.com