My Elna 6003 Quilter's Dream has been used for quite a few years with no problems until now. Lately, when I try to stitch thin poly/cotton fabric, the thread begins to strip at the needle and will eventually break. it's never done this before, and it's not the needle. I use general purpose Coats & Clark poly wrapped poly thread just like I always do, and the stuff gives me no trouble when I use the Baby Lock. It did the same thing when I tried to put some cotton jersey fabric under it the other day. I just switched to the Baby Lock and got the job done, but this is aggravating. Thought it might have something to do with the fact that Coats no longer makes cotton-wrapped poly thread, but like I said, I can use the Baby Lock with no trouble- same thread and same needle.

You probably should use a walking foot on that thick fuzzy fabric.

I personally prefer the metal bobbins, as per the vibration & the lack of smoothness have you checked the spindle behind the bobbin is clogged with cotton thread? Plus check the jaws that move the material under the plate for fabric/cotton/fluff deposits as this can have an effect on its running, or as a last resort make sure the belt is not coming apart, this is about as far as my knowledge base goes on this topic, maybe it would be best to have it services by a professional...

I do hope I have been of some use/help....

If you have the owner's manual, it is supposedly called a "Reverse Key."

Elna United States Sewing Elna 6003

Look for a button near the needle with an arrow pointing backward.

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Yes, because a zig zag stitch is creating a wide stitch and the tension on the thread is going to pull the fabric within the seam together, you can't seam thin fabric with a wide zig zag. It will "tunnel together". If you are using this stitch to neaten a raw edge, then try using the serpentine or three step zig zag where the needle pierces the fabric 3 times in each leg of the zig zag, this will give better results.

Hi, I'm Julie. Is the model of your Elna machine called Lena? Is your machine an Elna 6003? Is your machine an Elna 6003Q?

Check to see if your needle is bent.

if you want to sew pin tucks, then yes, you could use that foot providing the hole is large enough for the two needles to pass through. Twin needles come in 4mm gap and 2.2mm gap so just check that it will fit. When using a twin needle, there is a lot of heat created so it is always important so sew slowly, going too fast will cause the needles to break.

Also, you should check on the twin needle type, modern machines now using a twin which is slightly offset, the block colour is usually a dark brown/red colour. Your machine may have come with a twin needle in the needle selection so take a good look at it and see if it is an offset one, then make sure you buy replacements of the same type.

THe pin tucking foot allows you to keep rows of pintucks lined up, it will have grooves in the base that you can run the previously stitched pintuck through to keep even distances. Best on lightweight fabrics like cottons, lawns, batiste etc. You'd probably go for the narrow 2.2mm twin needle to get a nice fine tuck. I like to press each seam after stitching too to give a sharp tuck.

Hm, wondering if it could be the presser foot pressure setting. Most machines have this capability where the amount of pressure applied to the feed dogs can be increased or decreased. You might check your owner's manual,.

Here is one - http://cgi.ebay.com/ELNA-6003-QUILTERS-DREAM-INSRTRUCTION-MANUAL-50-PGS_W0QQitemZ260342126317QQcategoryZ41246QQcmdZViewItem

Am taking it to the shop.