Bobbin Winder Works--Stitching Does Not

Sounds like you have the bobbin winder activated. That is a safety feature that prevents the needle from stitching while winding a bobbin.

I can help you with this, the Elna Lotus has a pretty simple bobbin winding system, the bobbin winder is top right of the machine, drop bobbin with holes to the top onto the spindle. Now Lotus have a dial on the right side which switches between bobbin winding, stitching and locked for transport, turn it to Bobbin symbol. Take the thread from the spool pin at the back across to the metal eyelet at top front (it sits inside the accessory tray when transporting so you may need to pop open the tray lid and flip this eyelet out)
Now take thread across and through a hole on top of the bobbin and holding the tail, put your foot onto the foot control to get a couple of winds onto the bobbin to hold the thread. Now place your finger or the handle of a pair of scissors onto the top of the thread spool to apply tension so that the thread winds evenly and slowly wind the bobbin until about 3/4 full, making sure it winds evenly. Tension onto the spool is the key here, Lotus doesn't have a tension device to control the thread tension as it winds so you need to do this, critical to getting a good stitch out of these lovely machines.

Hope this helps you out.

Is the bobbin close to full in the middle but not that full above and below? You may need to watch the bobbin wind and give the thread a nudge so that it fills right across the bobbin core to avoid this happening. Most bobbin winders will click off before the bobbin is completely full as you don't want any thread actually touching the bobbin case when it is in position, just fill to about 80% for good tension and stitching.

Has the bobbin winder worked in the past and now faulting. Or are you unsure on how to use it?

There is a manual for a Touchtronic 2000 here http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/432_touchtronic.pdf there may be more than one model Touch Tronic so plse check the serial number plate on the side of your machine to establish the actual model number, usually near the power inlet plug. then search for the appropriate manual at http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals. This excerpt shows that you wind the bobbin insitu in the bobbin case.


I'm not a fan of prewound bobbins, far better to deal with the bobbin winder issue. Winding your own thread means you can get far better colour matching to the fabric, and ensure you've got quality thread on the machine, and same thread top and bottom. (I prefer a quality cotton wrapped polyester or a polyester thread, Guttermann, Molynecke or Sylko Supreme). All of these factors affect stitching quality and the finished appearance of a seam.

Did you know that you can buy a freestanding unit to wind bobbins? Link to this item is here. http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/universal-automatic-bobbin-winder.aspx You may well find that this is the better solution to winding bobbins for this machine as winding them inside the bobbin housing doesn't give you a lot of control over the way the thread feeds onto the bobbin.

manuals can be purchased @ janome. com. your machine should have a bobbin winder. Set empty bobbin on the bobbin winder pin. Thread spool of thread though guide(or tension wheel on the top of the machine;NOT the stitching tension.) wrap thread around bobbin to start, and push bobbin toward the flywheel. slowly press foot pedal and bobbin should begin to turn. apply more pressure to foot pedal to increase speed.When full, bobbin winder should kick back to stop.

Elna bobbins have holes on the top, so wind the bobbin with the holes on the top too. The Lotus bobbin winder doesn't have a tension device, thread just goes through an eyelet. So, place your scissors curved handle on top of your thread spool as it unwinds the thread to ensure the thread then winds onto your bobbin evenly. Also watch the bobbin fill and give the thread a nudge with your finger tip to fill top and bottom as well as the middle part, you want it to wind evenly across the full width of the bobbin. When full, pop bobbin winder back to left, cut thread and pull off the bobbin.

Then place the bobbin into the bobbin holder with the holes on top, and pull the loose thread tail around anti clockwise into the tension device and gently "click" it into the tension spring with the tip of your finger while holding the bobbin still with your other index finger.

You will be able to tell if it is in tension if you then pull the thread and it doesn't come out of the tension spring. It should feel firm with resistance but still release thread to a gentle pull. Now thread the top down to the needle and holding the end of the needle thread, hand wind the fly wheel towards you to lower the needle and pull up the bobbin thread. Close the bobbin cover.

Always hold the two thread tails at the back of the sewing area as you start stitching a seam until you have stitched at least 4 or 5 stitches to avoid thread jams.

Lotus is a lovely vintage machine - there is a user group on Yahoo Elna heirlooms where you can find lots of info and pictures shared by members.

If the pic is anything to go by, loosening the fly wheel on the right side of the machine may allow you the wind the bobbin without running the machine. if this does not fix the problem, Try placing the bobbin in the winder and then sliding it towards the gaurd to lock it in place before running the machine.
The problem with the thread getting knotted on the undersurface is usually related to the fabric texture and the stitch size, if the fabric is sheer or soft, try setting the stitch length "longer" to avoid the needle draging the fabric with it while stitching. Use a piece of fabric other than the one causing the problem to determine if this iis the cause,
Good Luck.

Is this a Designer 1 or a #1? There is no moving lever on the pin of a Deigner 1,they are fixed. If it's a #1, use sewing machine oil or Triflow. NEVER use 3 in 1 oil. It will gum up and cause problems later on.

I had the same problem and fixed it myself. Remove the portion of the housing that coincides with the bobbin winder. You will need to remove two screws to do this--one is just to the upper left of the bobbin winder itself, and one is hidden under the handle on the left side of the machine (lift the handle, and look on the machine on the left side.) It takes some coaxing to remove the housing, but it can be done--be gentle. If you need to, remove the housing on the left side of the machine that covers the needle assembly. This will make it a bit easier, but still, be gentle.)
After removing the housing, you will see a black metal piece with a elongated slot and a screw adjacent to the bobbin winder mechanism. Unscrew the screw a turn or two, and slide the piece to the other side. Tighten gently. Turn your machine on, and move your bobbin winder back and forth and watch the screen change from bobbin winding to the main straight stitch screen. Now, do a brief Dance of Joy. I hope this helps.