I finally took my Elna in to the shop today, although I am having qualms now that I have done so, and am wondering about the future.
When I first got the Elna, (and later my Baby Lock)long long ago, there was no local Elna dealer so I took it in to Crown Machine Service in NYC. Usually, if it just needed cleaning or a minor adjustment I could drop it in the morning and they would have it back to me in the afternoon, providing me with an opportunity to shop or pursue other interests in NYC.
Then we got Amazing Threads, which sold yarn and Elna Sewing Machines and they took very good care of my baby. No more lugging the sewing machine on the train (I’m not complaining) and although I didn’t get it back the same day, it was still pretty convenient. But Amazing Threads was sold. I had been informed that the same people were doing the machine service out of a fabric store on the far side of Kingston, so I took the machine there this morning. Ends up they are just servicing the Elnas as a courtesy but don’t really handle the machines. Probably this is fine, it just needs a little cleaning and adjustment on the tension. But I am feeling cautious — I love this machine after all, even though I use the newer one more. Well, let’s see what happens and when I get it back, but in one mad moment of panic I almost ran back and snatched my machine.
Perhaps I will be hauling it down to NYC again, after all it is an easy subway ride from Crown Machine down to the garment district.