Zig-zag stitch setting 5 is skipping stitches.. The feed dogs are only moving up and down instead of also front to back, so there is no feed of the fabric. The stitch on the left stays, but the right falls immediately out. Parts of it look like a straight stitch halfway through the zigzag.

If the zig zag function on your Elna Carina sewing machine is not working, there could be a few possible causes:

1. Incorrect stitch selector: Make sure you have selected the correct stitch on your machine. Double check that you have selected the zig zag stitch, and not accidentally switched to another stitch.
2. Incorrect stitch width: The stitch width knob on your machine controls the width of the zig zag stitch. Make sure that the stitch width is not set to zero, as this would prevent the zig zag function from working. Adjust the stitch width to the desired size.
3. Tension issues: If the thread tension is too tight or too loose, it can affect the zig zag stitch. Check your thread tension to make sure it is set correctly.
4. Clogged machine: Dust, lint, and debris can accumulate inside your sewing machine and affect its performance. Clean your machine thoroughly, including the bobbin area and the feed dogs.

If none of these solutions work, it may be necessary to have your machine serviced by a professional.

if your question is that the fabric didn't feed when I tried a zig-zag stitch , well then this might be a normal thing to happen on your machine , some machines when set to MAX size zig-zag stitch retract the "feed dogs" as you call them so that the operator can hand move the fabric around under presser foot , this is task called "darn" and its usually for filling large holes in fabric (socks!!) and for adding embroidery too (special needle)

it be a two person job but try putting machine in zig-zag reverse action , and have second person feed material from back of machine instead of front strat stitch 1/2 inch in from end this would make right -left zig-zag instead of left -right stitch , also on custom program machines (high end) a special stich could be set for this to go from front if your needing to do this frequently .

1. Remove the top.
2. Clean the inside with carburetor cleaner and lubricate with sewing machine oil.
3. While After this move the stitch length back and forth from a long arm to the reverse mode. Rotate the hand wheel several times to lubricate all moving parts.
4. Place some rags under the pressure foot and watch if the rags will back up.
5. Remove the bottom of the machine.
6. Clean the bottom moving parts and lubricate.
7. Rotate the hand wheel and watch the feed dogs to see if everything is moving.
8. It is possible to notice a screw attached to the stitch length adjuster that will have to be tightened. This may require you to move other parts that are attached and apply pressure while doing this.

Lower the pressure on the feed dogs, use a stretch stitch, and longer stitch length. Be sure to use a good quality thread, and maybe go lighter weight thread.

You have the machine set for blind hem stitching. Change the stitch selector to stretch stitch, which is a single, in line stitching zig zag stitch.

Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

when the fabric does not move then the feed dogs under the needle plate need to be checked to see if there up or down.
if the feed dogs are down then the lever or switch needs to be pushed up into the correct position
if the feed dogs are up & they are not moving the fabric like there suppose to, cause it's there job to move the fabric against the presser foot,, then they need to be check

the gears that do the zig zag stitches should be checked to make sure there not worn & weather they might need be be greased

I have the same model, have you turned the first knob on left, the stitch selector, to the stitch you want? Then turn the middle knob, the stitch width to "4". Use the colour guide marks shown in the little picture on left of the knobs so you are dialing up the right settings. So for the zig zag, elastic blind hem, scallop, overcasting and multi-stretch stiches, 1-6 on the diagram you'll be setting the left knob to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively and the stitch width and length knobs to "green", you can vary the length and width to suit what you want.

Then for the cams, you need to set everything zero, turn stitch selector to 7, the cam setting. then turn the width to orange again (3-4) and the stitch lenth selector to the orange setting, right around the knob. This engages the "Elnagraph" the device under the flap on top of the machine to read the discs. Basically the green stitches the needle is swinging from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward, making your zig zags, blind hems etc.
But when you engage the Elna graph, the machine matches stiches by moving the fabric "forward and backwards at certain times, while the needle does its thing from side to side. This is what makes elastic or stretchy type stitches because you are putting "stretch" into the seam by sewing forwards and backwards.

Please note: always turn your stitch width and length back to Zero BEFORE you make any changes to the left knob and select a new stitch as this saves on wear and tear to the moving parts in these wonderful machines.

I do hope this assists you and I haven't just told you stuff you already knew!

I have the same model, have you turned the first knob on left, the stitch selector, to the stitch you want? Then turn the middle knob, the stitch width to "4". Use the colour guide marks shown in the little picture on left of the knobs so you are dialing up the right settings. So for the zig zag, elastic blind hem, scallop, overcasting and multi-stretch stiches, 1-6 on the diagram you'll be setting the left knob to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively and the stitch width and length knobs to "green", you can vary the length and width to suit what you want.

Then for the cams, you need to set everything zero, turn stitch selector to 7, the cam setting. then turn the width to orange again (3-4) and the stitch lenth selector to the orange setting, right around the knob. This engages the "Elnagraph" the device under the flap on top of the machine to read the discs. Basically the green stitches the needle is swinging from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward, making your zig zags, blind hems etc.
But when you engage the Elna graph, the machine matches stiches by moving the fabric "forward and backwards at certain times, while the needle does its thing from side to side. This is what makes elastic or stretchy type stitches because you are putting "stretch" into the seam by sewing forwards and backwards.

Please note: always turn your stitch width and length back to Zero BEFORE you make any changes to the left knob and select a new stitch as this saves on wear and tear to the moving parts in these wonderful machines.

I do hope this assists you and I haven't just told you stuff you already knew!

Well, I think you confused your machine. Go back to the zig zag and sew on a scrap piece of material. Stop sewing and carefully go back to regular stitching. Make sure your stitch length is correct and you have everything tightened up and the feed dog is raised. If this doesn't help, try doing a button hole stitch for a bit, stop sewing, go to zig zag, stitch a bit and go to the regular stitch and see if that works. If not, you may have to take it in to be reset. Good luck.