You must have seen them, those sturdy little green machines with their utilitarian curves and ingenious carry case? When I first started researching sewing machines I fell in love with the Elna ‘Grasshopper’. I could have picked one up on eBay but I couldn’t justify it… I already had my mums old singer 99k so I really needed something that could zigzag and buttonhole. It stayed in the back of my mind, I was allowed to buy one if I should happen to find one at a car boot sale or second hand shop. It became my holy grail! (Well, it certainly became my screensaver for a month or two!)
Then I turned 45 and my very generous friends The Peacocks (also boot-sale buddies!) surprised me by taking the decision out of my hands and presenting me with my very own model! And he’s a beauty! Nice and clean, a few character building scratches, and this fine selection of bits and bobs…!
As you can imagine, I was totally overwhelmed and couldn’t wait for them all to leave so that I could get my new toy out and start playing!
He sewed straight away, the tension looked pretty shonky and when he went fast, he’d start to rattle inside and the speed would go all out of control. I didn’t get a manual, so searched online and found this helpful site…
I oiled all the parts and tried again…
Still sounding (& behaving) like a runaway train. (Which is particularly upsetting as one of the 10 UNDISPUTED FACTS* of the Elna Grasshopper is that it is surprisingly quiet. Humph).
The tension setting guide was pretty low for normal sewing, so I tried it all the way down to zero, but still no joy.

Then I got my screwdriver out and had a look under the bonnet…
Lo and behold, I found this…
I ran it with the cover off and it was still rattling around, it looked like the bobbin casing was about to fly out. I wish I’d made a video so you could see and hear what it was like… not really behaving true to the Incredible-Swiss-Engineering referred to in the 10 UNDISPUTED FACTS* of the Elna Grasshopper! But to be honest, I was so alarmed by the racket it didn’t even cross my mind to get videoing.
Thankfully, I put a tiny bit of oil on the bobbin casing, so the bit that whizzes round it could move more freely… and… IT WORKED!
Just that one drop of oil in the right place and the rattling stopped**, the tension started behaving itself, the speed transitioned smoothly and he started responding like a playful kitten.
** Albeit replaced by a loud tick, but that sounds louder on the video and is for further investigation…
(Black thread in the bobbin, upper tension set to 1/2… bobbin thread still showing on the smaller stitches…)
Then, maybe I committed a huge sin, but it felt to me like a breakthrough… I discovered that the ‘ankle’ from my Janome DKS30 fits onto the Elna, so I can use my snap-on feet with it! (I immediately ordered Elna his own designated ankle adapter, I can’t leave Janome limping and in pieces just because there’s a new guy in town!)
It’s such a beautiful looking machine. And now that it’s stitching beautifully too, I can’t wait to see what we can make together.
Until next time, Happy Sewing!
*THE 10 UNDISPUTED FACTS of the Elna Grasshopper…
(So far I have not found a great wealth of online information on this machine, but these FACTS* seem undisputed among the various blogs I have managed to find…!)
- They are surprisingly quiet.
- They are a miracle of Swiss design and engineering.
- The needle automatically disengages when winding a bobbin (proof of FACT* 2)
- They were made between 1940 – 1952
- Designed in Switzerland by Dr Ramon Casas, a refugee from the Spanish Civil War.
- Originally called Tavaro type Elna, the name became the company name.
- Grasshopper is a made up nickname, also known as Elna 1.
- The box folds out into a sewing table.
- They operate with a knee presser instead of a foot pedal.
- They are BEAUTIFUL!
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Never knew these existed until my neighbour had one for 25 bucks in a garage sale. Originally resisted but went back and got it. It came with the original 1947 manual (in French, from Canada) and accesories. It’s awesome. However, I just can’t see to adjust the stitch length. It’s too short.
What a great find! … shame about the stitch length, maybe something’s jammed inside…?! I assume you’ve found the slider though… 3mm is about the longest stitch mine will reach. Good luck coming with it!
Ooh I have one of these too! I paid 20 reais for it (that is less than 7 dollars) here in Brazil.she was borrowed to a friend of mine who really put her to work too hard without much care. I then send her motor to an expert and she is like a baby – although she has much more use and personality scratches than yours. Loved the funfacts about ir. Thanks!
Wow, what an amazing story, and an amazing price!! 👍🙏😊 I think the scratches add to the character!
This is the second time I come across an Elna grasshopper. A sewing friend recently bought two of these green babies while she in France. Looking forward reading more blogposts about this wonderful sewing machine.
Two?! Blimey! What a find!
Thank you, I’m sure there’ll be plenty more to come! 👍🙏
That’s me..I saw 1..but it had soms broken parts.. thans he offered me a seconde one-older and rusty spots…for half the price (spare parts😉)paid only 15 euro die the two of them! No time yet to work/sew on it-need a transformer for the 110v ..but or worked perfect in the brocante😆
They are such fabulous machines. I learnt to sew on an Elna Grasshopper and even though I moved on to other machines, I was excited to adopt that very machine into my sewing machine fold. Hope you have lots of fun with your green gem.
Thank you! I haven’t been sewing long, but I can say I’ve wanted one since I started sewing! 👍🙏
It’s so exciting getting an old ‘new’ toy! I was just the same with my little Essex Machine so I know exactly how you felt wanting everyone to toddle off and let you play ;D I have yet to find the time to get the motor going on my little toy but fortunately it’s also hand cranked so I can play anywhere I want and so small in its own little case I can take it where I want too ….. I don’t however want to be the cause of divorce proceedings so I’m afraid I cant be seen to be encouraging you to take this little beauty and its built in sewing table away on holidays with you 😀 😀 😀
Lainey x
It may be small but it’s not particularly light!! … I definitely think an Elna holiday should be a thing!
Beautiful. Lucky you.
Thank you! Yes indeed I am! 😊👍