For clean up I took ALL of the covers off and discovered a marvel of manufacturing engineering. Impressive right down to the bobbin case that has the most elaborate and detailed bobbin tension adjuster I have ever seen. The engineering creativity is second to none; all sorts of interesting solutions to complicated problems.
It has the electronic foot controller with the old Singer like button. The foot pedal has a + - switch on it that actually is a hi - low speed range, they don't all come with this.
And that brings me to the model designation?? I cant find anything on it that tells the exact model (or year) of Lotus; such as SP, TSP... It's usually on the front in big letters and I was instructed to look on the SN tag but nothing I can see. If the chart at THE NEEDLEBAR is correct then this is a very early 1968, in fact the model year chart indicates that it was made in 1967.
As far as sewing it has an unusual but good sound, and it seems to have outstanding stitch quality.
The hi - low speed adjustment isn't really very much of a range and this machine may have the slowest top speed I have come across, which might be a problem for some users.
No review would be complete without a picture of it all closed up. As we all know it was selected by the Museum of Modern Art in New York for its "Design Collection". Styled by Raymond Loewy the unique features like the storage in the top and the Lotus pedals combined with the clean design make this machine worthy of the accolades.
So it is a friction wheel drive... no belt, both good & bad.
Oh I get it!
Hmmm, let's look at what else the great Raymond did, so the Avanti was a Loewy design launched in 1963, in 1968 the first Elna Lotus came out. In the MoMa collection too
Pencil sketches, no PhotoShop here!
100
Great job of cleaning up your Lotus! I owned an Elna Stella for while. I found once the cuteness factor wore off I didn't like sewing with it because it was too little. I really do like the accessories all stored in the top and the lotus petal panels closing up to make the cover. In my opinion, Elna made the best tiny machines.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom, great find, again if you ever consider selling your Elna Lotus, Please let me know.
ReplyDeleteI have one for sale if you are still wanting to buy one.
DeleteI forgot to mark notify me. But if you're looking to buy a lotus I have one for sale!
DeleteI forgot to mark notify me. But if you're looking to buy a lotus I have one for sale!
DeleteMy 93 year old mother handed down her Elna to me. But she was not in any shape to tell me how to use it. We couldn't find the Instruction Book. Do you have an instruction book?
ReplyDeleteTry
Deletehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/3714035/Elna-Lotus-Instruction-Booklet#scribd
thank u for this link:) I found it just when I really needed it ..
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI found an elna lotus tsp for my wife but i need the bobbins. Any idea where i could get some???
Try http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/elna-lotus-36-sewing-machine-parts.aspx I am not near my machine so I can't compare but they may be a common size? If you are daring you could try one of her other machine bobbins, if it fits it will work.
DeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeletethx for your reply, I found the bobbins at homesewing.co.uk and they fit!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI managed to get a Lotus tsp - and love it. It came with two bobbins and I bought more at sewingpartsonline, mentioned above. However, it did NOT come with extra (original)feet - any idea where I could get those?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNot sure but they are most likely common with many other Elna machines
DeleteI have concluded that many feet are interchangeable but they have to be tried out to be sure
They're low-shank feet; you can buy an adaptor then a set of snap-on feet
DeleteTom my Lotus is making a load noise like a boat motor, would this be the rubber against the hand wheel. David.
ReplyDeleteMost likely, if you take the cover off you may see a flat spot in the drive wheel.
DeleteIts worth putting a new one on.
The cover comes off WITH the hand wheel.
The secret is that the dial under the hand wheel MUST be set to 0 (or bobbin) when you are done sewing even overnight. This will prevent the flat spot on the rubber wheel
Thankyou Tom.
ReplyDeleteHi I’m looking for an Elba Lotus (the Older models) in South Africa
ReplyDeletei have an elna lotus, (have only Electric wire broker) for the rest My granmà use it still at 2016. write me if u need it alessandromulazzi83@gmail.com
DeleteI inhereted an ELNA LOTUS from my mom. It's been sitting here for 20 years. Now I want to start using it.
ReplyDeleteJust getting my Elna Lotus serviced and was looking for what tools I'm missing in the top. The brush and screwdriver... replaced. I bought mine for my 21st with money Grandad gave me In 1968 I paid $89. I wanted it small to travel and move around. Still works fine for the sewing I do Chuffed to think its in the MoMA
ReplyDeleteHow fun. I still have mine that my folks gave me when I went off to university in late 60’s. Haven’t used it much in the last 45 years but would never part with it. Keep it serviced. Taking it in the boat this summer to piece a quilt.
DeleteOh this model is the one I have. and I bought it new 'Latest" in 1968
ReplyDeleteOh this model is the one I have. and I bought it new 'Latest" in 1968
ReplyDeleteI miss my Elba Lotus that I received as a graduation gift in 1974. I had it for years, sewed my baby’s christening gown with it. It started having some problems. At the time, I was newly divorced with 3 very young children, one of whom was a baby. I didn’t have the money to fix it or the time to use it. I gave it away to charity.Sadly, I regret it to this day. Now I’m looking fior a replacement. Thanks for your help!
ReplyDeleteI miss my Elba Lotus that I received as a graduation gift in 1974. I had it for years, sewed my baby’s christening gown with it. It started having some problems. At the time, I was newly divorced with 3 very young children, one of whom was a baby. I didn’t have the money to fix it or the time to use it. I gave it away to charity.Sadly, I regret it to this day. Now I’m looking fior a replacement. Thanks for your help!
ReplyDeleteLovely machine! Looks like a ZZ, zigzag version. The SP has a third smaller dial, to the left of the stitch width and length dials,for overcasting and blind stitches. The EC is straight stitch only.
ReplyDeleteLovely machine! Looks like a ZZ, zigzag version. The SP has a third smaller dial, to the left of the stitch width and length dials,for overcasting and blind stitches. The EC is straight stitch only.
ReplyDeleteLovely machine! Looks like a ZZ, zigzag version. The SP has a third smaller dial, to the left of the stitch width and length dials,for overcasting and blind stitches. The EC is straight stitch only.
ReplyDeleteI've had my old Elna Lotus TSP for 39+ years now. Just used it tonight and it still works like new! It was a gift from my folks when I moved out for college in 1980, as that meant moving away from my mom's Elna--the machine on which I learned to sew. I had no idea this little machine was so design-famous!
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS A 46 YEAR OLD ELNA LOTUS WORTH
ReplyDeleteMy lotus sp 35 goes through the motions of sewi g but no stitches Amy ideas
ReplyDeleteRepost my lotus sp 35 goes through the motions of sewing but not making and stitches any ideas please anyone
ReplyDeleteLooking for Elna Lotus for disabled friend...anyone willing to sell? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOkay.. How JEALOUS AM I!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY VERY VERY
ReplyDeleteI just got a elna lotus t sp but have not the manual. Can somenody send it by mail ?
ReplyDelete😘
Hi any body have a manual or copy of one i can aquire thanks steve
Deletesorry elna sp
ReplyDelete