Elna Model #1 (the Grasshopper!)

by McKenna Linn, fiber artist (I love her pieces created from vintage men's ties), sewing book author, and sewing machine lover/refurbisher (not collector! according to her). Check out McKenna's site to see her gorgeous work and her stunning not-collection of sewing machines. Also check out the awesome sewing machine shopping tips that she put together here!

Love it, hate it, or something in between?  Love it, it is one of the absolute best (easily in the top three) machines I've ever sewn on... and I've tried well over 100 machines.

When did you buy this sewing machine? About a year ago, bought on eBay and I refurbished it myself. As with most eBay machines, it needed servicing before I could use it.

When was it manufactured? May 1950. Elna stamped manufacture dates on the metal under the black circular plate on the handwheel-end of the machine. I believe these were first manufactured in the 1930s, through sometime in the '50s. Really ahead of their time.

Where did you buy it? eBay.

How much did you pay for it? About $175. But it needed refurbishing, which if I hadn't been able to do myself would have added another probably $200 to the bill (there were some major cosmetic issues, e.g., the rubber feet from the case had melted all over everything and took days to clean up and rivet in replacements).

How many projects have you done on this machine? No projects, I've just played with it... make free-motion quilt samples, etc. Plan to bring it on my next out-of-town trip.

Describe the kind of work you've done with it. It's straight-stitch only, but really, really good at it. A perfectly balanced stitch. Quiet as a mouse; it's incredible how quiet this machine is, you hardly hear it running. I've done seams, of course; perfect. And freemotion quilting, also perfect. Smooth as silk, with perfectly balanced stitching. The case becomes an extension bed, which gives plenty of support for freemotion quilting, too.

What do you like and what do you hate about it? Likes: As mentioned, the large extension bed, a.k.a., the case. Lightweight and portable. Quiet. Perfectly balanced stitches. Quirky design. Green. Beautiful design. The light switch. Handwheel at the bottom! Built-in knee controller. It's one of only two consumer machines every made with a true low gear, for heavy-duty work (you need the black gear-down mechanism for this, often missing from these machines). Attachment box, beautifully machined feet. Great at freemotion stitching.

Hate? There's nothing I even dislike a little bit about this machine.

6/25/2011: Krista here -- I've noticed that lots of people are looking for the Grasshopper manual -- see this post for some leads!

Comments

[Michelle Jensen]

I have an elna grasshopper too, and I have to say I love it so much. I am lucky enough to have the reduction gear also. I enjoyed reading your article. Excellent blog, I will save it.

[Mokihana]

I have an Elna that's over 30 years old. Not as cute as the Grasshopper. Started out with a green one, but it trouble handling the then-new Dual Duty thread, so I traded it in for my baby.

I adore my Elna!

[Rachel]

I'm so impressed that you refurbished it yourself. Did you just figure it out as you went along, or did you get some training/instruction manuals? (I have an older Elna too, and it's fantastic.)

[EmilyKate]

I'm on the lookout for one of these to adopt-they;re just so cute! And you can't beat that Swiss mechanical engineering, it amazes (and impresses!) me that they are still going strong after 50+ years.

[Frances]

Hi,

Can you tell me how much your Grasshopper weighs in its case? I just got one on Ebay, and I think the vendor is overcharging for the weight. As I recall it's under 45 lbs. Thanks

[Lidia]

I have just received a grasshopper machine, without the manual. Can anyone provide a copy or a site where I can download a copy?
Thanks

[Barry]

I have a very clean Elna Grasshopper..1950 loaded with accessories case runs great 125.00 Canadian

contact [email protected]

[marc]

Hi
I would be interested if you found a place
to get the manual for the Elna grasshopper.
m

[Sheryl D'Ath]

I have just purchased an amazing wee Elna Grasshopper here in NewZealand on Trademe for $80.00nzd. It is in perfect condition with the lower gearing cog What a great little machine and sews much nicer than my featherweight 221.But It doesn't have a manual sadly. Never mind it is so simple to drive and does the best straight stitch which is all I need for my bear making.

[Rollon]

Found photocopies of two versions of the Grasshopper manual at the following address: http://mesnotices.fr/references.php
One in French, the other in German...
Hope that will help.

[Erin]

Found the manual for sale here:
http://www.sewingmanuals.net/elna-grasshopper-sewing-machine-manual.html

[KNS]

I too have an Elna Grasshopper - I fell in love with it when I saw it in an op-shop window.

BUT - it sews only very slowly, and only after a lot of persuasion.

If anyone can help me with this, I'd be grateful

[Hans]

Hello,

I have the same Elna (Grasshopper)sewing machine here for sale. type 500890 with serialnumber 7136842.
It looks like new and is in great working order, with toolbox with some parts and a nice looking case. all original for this nice sewing machine.
please send me an mail for pic's. Greetings from Holland..

[Julie Solberg]

Hi!

I don't much about sewingmachines, just the simplest basic things. I found an Elna grasshopper in my basement the other day, and i wanted to use it. it worke, but when i had sewn like 2 cm. the thread messed up inside the bobbin-room. So i don't know whats wrong, have i thread it wrong? I woul be SO happy for your help, if you have an idea for what's wrong, could you email me at [email protected]? THANK YOU!

[Rafdogr]

i found an elna 1 in my attic i want to sell it please contact me if your interseted my email is [email protected].
I works well has a couple spare parts that it came with only thing missing is the manual.

[Nancy]

Does anyone have a copy of the manul for the grasshopper. I just bought one and it did not have a manul

[LCresson]

Send me email and I can send the manual

[email protected]

[Sally Dengate]

Hi there
I have just purchased from our local charity shop an Elana Grasshooper (Elna 1) just like the one in your picture, I have plugged it in and it works fine, I am just not sure how to thread it, and also where to oil it etc, I was wondering if you still have the manual could I please have a copy. I want to try and teach my grandchildren how to use a sewing machine and this one looks as if it might fit the bill as there aren't too many knoba and buttons like the modern ones

Thank you in advance (even if you cant send a copy)
Sally

[Claire]

I have a Grasshopper sewing machine and I'm cleaning it. Where do I get Kerosene #6 that I'm supposed to use in several of the parts?

[Dianne Rehman]

I saw your post offering to send someone the manual for the Elna #1 (Grasshopper). Do you still have a copy of it and/or are you willing to sell it? I just bought one of those little machines and don't have a manual for it.

Cheers, Dianne

[Krista]

Hi everybody -- see this post (http://zigzaggers.typepad.com/zigzaggers/2009/02/manuals.html) for some leads on finding manuals!

[olle]

Hi

I have uploaded a manual for the grasshopper on megashare. Dont know how long the link will be active but write a comment when it is down.
/olle

http://d01.megashares.com/?d01=fc73ad6

[fuggerman]

Thank you, Olle! It was very usefull to get the manual because I'm going to use my "Grasshopper".

[Dorrie Williams]

Wow! SO lovely to see all of these Grasshopper lovers! I have one that I would like to sell. Does a nicely balanced stitch and has been serviced, but not re-furbished. I live in the Okanagan of British Columbia, Canada, if that's close to anyone interested. I can send photos and I see that it's possible to purchase a manual (mine doesn't have one). Please send enquiries to [email protected]
Thank you.

[Sandi Skewis]

I'm looking for the footpads for the bed of my Grasshopper, any ideas on where to obtain them? Thanks!

[Sylvie]

Hi

I found many user manual for sewing machine : http://www.apreslachat.com/categories/90/Machine-a-coudre

Bye