The Company

The Elna trademark has always symbolized quality, innovation and service. Today, Elna continues to build the company with these three elements as the foundation. Elna is a growing company committed to bringing excellence to our customers and our international distribution network. Elna is active in more than 60 countries, throughout the world.

Elna's strength has its roots in our understanding of the fact that we are working with an international market place. As a result, it is our key objective to address the different needs and trends of various markets in our product development. Elna has a firm belief in making sewing fun. And, to make sewing fun, the machines need to be: easy to use, versatile and modern.

As a result, Elna was the first to introduce special features like lightweight machines, automatic needle threader, heirloom stitches, expandability of stitch packages through the invention of interchangeable cams, cartridges, PRO Cards and EnVision Cards. In addition, Elna has always been famous for the quality of our stitches and the design of our machines.

The Elna trademark has earned a significant place in the sewing industry as a result of numerous groundbreaking innovations which have placed Elna products in a class of their own.

Elna sewing machines have been around since 1940 with the launch of the Elna # 1, the first compact, portable, electric sewing machine with a free arm (when unfolded, its metal carrying case formed a sewing table). The Elna # 1 was green in color, breaking away from the traditional black, an innovation in itself for the time. The machine was a resounding success and so began Elna's commitment to the home sewing industry.

The Elna Supermatic was introduced in 1952 featuring zigzag stitches and interchangeable cams, designed to produce different stitch patterns.

In 1968, the Elna Lotus was launched, a compact sewing machine with a unique design. Today you can find the Elna Lotus in the Design Collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).

To stay consistent with its strategy to remain at the forefront of technology, Elna launched the first home ironing machine in 1973. The Elnapress met with tremendous success as it introduced to the world a new way to perform an age old task, innovating the way people iron. The Elnapress was truly the first ironing press designed for the home.

The products

The Elna product line features Elna sewing machines, Elna overlock/sergers and Elnapress ironing machines. The Elna sewing machine and serger categories host a wide range of products, everything from basic mechanical models to high tech computerized ones, capable of sewing intricate embroidery work. And, behind each product stands Elna's dedication to excellence and quality.

1940	Elna #1 - the first portable, free-arm sewing machine with electronic motor and built-in light, The carrying case also served as a sewing table. Invented by Ramon Casas, this machine constituted a revolution in the field of household sewing machines.
1952	Supermatic - another revolutionary concept as the first domestic sewing machine with fully automatic stitches. Interchangeable cams controlled the sideways movement of the needle as well as the forward and reverse feed of the fabric.
1963	First overlock stitch on a home sewing machine.
1964	Star Series - the first electronic sewing machines, offering new features including built-in and interchangeable utility and decorative stitches as well as an automatic buttonhole.
1968	Lotus - a truly innovative concept. The first compact household sewing machine due to its reduced size and weight. The protection flaps replaced the carrying case and formed a sewing table when opened. The accessory case was built into the top of the machine. Selected by the Museum of Modern Art in New York for its "Design Collection".
1972	Elna is chosen as the Official Sewing Machine of the Olympic Games in Munich.
1973	Introduction of the Elnapress, a professional pressing system for the home.
1976	Double overlock stitch.
1978	Air Electronic - first sewing machine with electronics operated by a pneumatic foot control.
1980	Elna Stella - retained the advantages of the Elna Lotus while improving on its design and added new features for sewing comfort. Electronics became an integral part of these new machines.
1982	Carina - first sewing machine to use super overlock stitch on all types of fabrics.
1985	Elna 5000 - first Swiss sewing machine with an electronic memory and first machine in computer range.
1986	First Elna overlocks introduced, featuring one revolution tension dials, recessed movable cutter with lockable blade system, marked adjustable pressure control, sliding thread guide for lower looper.
1987	Elna 7000 introduces updatable stitch package through use of cassettes.
1987	Elnalock L-5 - first portable 5-thread domestic overlock, 2-needle, 2/3/4/5 thread machine.
1988	First ironing press with a built-in sleeveboard.
1989	Elna 9000 computerized sewing machine introduced - with 7mm stitch width, face to face and mirror image, multiplication key, 6 memories.
1991	Elna PRO 5 DC - first computerized domestic overlock, with exclusive electronic speed reducer.
1992	Elna Diva - the sewing machine that can do it all with 370 stitches, 7 buttonholes, alphabets, monograms.
1994	PRO 905 DCX and 904 DCX - first overlocks with computer controlled tensions and expandable programming with exclusive PRO Card system. 905 is first domestic overlock to offer a cover hem..
1994	Elna 9006 computerized embroidery sewing machine, offering traditional sewing type stitches as well as automated hoop embroidery. EnVision Cards provide additional embroidery designs.
1996	Elna 925 DCX - first domestic overlock to offer three variations of the cover hem, including triple cover hem.
1998	EnVision software program introduced, compatible with home computer and Elna CE 20 and 8006 sewing machines.
1999	Elna introduces the 945 overlock - the extensive memory allows the sewer to have up to 48 built-in programs.
2001	Opal press introduced - with first digital LED temperature panel
2001	Xquisit - computerized sewing/embroidery machine with fully automated threading from spool pin to needle and automated bobbin winding for embroidery
2001	Xpressive software - semi-professional embroidery software for Xquisit sewing/embroidery machine
2002	686 overlock with built-in 2 thread converter, built-in reference cards and automatic tension release
2004	7200 Quilter's Dream PRO computerized sewing machine includes industrial features - speed and a long sewing arm - along with home sewing features - a versatile stitch package and knee lifter
2004	6600 Quilter's Dream 2 computerized sewing machine offers innovative side storage with tilt-forward compartments
2005	8200 Xperience - Elna's first embroidery only machine
2005	Xchange - multi access converter box reads and writes embroidery designs in most home formats
2007	The Elna 9900 : for the first time in Elna's range a semi-professional embroidery machine with four needles.
2007	Digitizer EX, the professional embroidery software for design and embroidery passionates.
2008	The Elna 434 : a machine for cover hem. It is an ideal addition to an overlock machine and ensures a perfect control over modern, synthetic or stretch fabrics, as well as basic fabrics.
2010	Elna celebrates its 70th anniversary with a special edition of the Elna 6200.
2010	Elna 9600 Haute Couture, a sewing, embroidery and quilting machine. With a direct connexion to your computer, you can download your own beautiful creations.
2011	The Elna eXcellence 740, an automatic sewing machine with an extra long free arm of 28cm and a large working space.
2011	Elna celebrates its 40th anniversary and launches a new range of three new models : Elnapress 720, 520 and 320 with a dedicated website : www.elnapress.com
2012	Elna updates its greatest classic and launches the new Elna Lotus. A compact sewing machine, with the easiest use ever and a new concept of simplicity. The Lotus spirit - www.lotusbyelna.com -
2012	The eXcellence 730 and 760. Ideal automatic sewing machines for patchwork and quilting passionates. These two machines offer a maximum sewing width of 9mm for large decorative or utility stitches.