I am looking for a foot control for my Elna Air Electronic SP. Can you help?

The Lotus should have the integrated foot controller and power cord in one. Some of these had a switch on the foot controller which reduced the power to half speed. That's the only way to adjust the speed other than the foot on the pedal. The later models Air Electronic have a slide speed control on the front face of the machine which made life easier.

The tension dial is on the front of the machine right above the needle. The higher the number, the tighter the tension is applied to the top thread. HINT: When threading the top thread, ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot throughout the entire threading process. This allows the thread to seat completely in the tension disk. Tension is correct when the top and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric.

Elna Lotus Instruction Booklet

Elna Lotus SP bobbin case repair Removing cotton jam from Elna Sewing...

Elna SP ST SU sewing machine repair tips (I use liquid Tri-Flow Synthetic Lube or silicone spray to loosen parts seized from old oil. Do NOT use WD-40, cooking oil, motor oil...)

I'd suggest www.sewingpartsonline.com if you are in USA.

https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/air-foot-control-elna-436410-20.aspx

Or you could try the Elna Guru, White Sewing Center www.whitesewingcenter.com, he's the specialist supplier for all things Swiss Elna.

The air control foot is the same for all the Elna Air Electronics, whether Stella, SU, TSP, TX etc.

take the foot control in to a sewing machine repair shop and have it tested
earlier models were a simple resistance variation but later models are electronic control
it could be a simple broke connection in the control

Elna Carina has an air electronic foot controller, so you need to firstly check the air line coming from the round air pedal has no holes, is not crimped or squashed under the chair leg. Hold the plug end against your hand or cheek, squeeze the round bulb and see if you can feel a puff of air coming from it. If no, then check the air control black membrane for a hole, ditto the air line hose. You can still buy parts from sewingpartsonline.com for these Elna Carina Electronic 66 Parts . If the line and foot pedal are sound, then the problem lies on the internal actuator which is inside the right side panel of the machine. You can remove this panel by undoing two screws on the side (disconnect from power first!)
The panel will remain connected to the machine body by some cables, you may be able to check out the actuator and see if it is faulty. If its just a tiny hole in it, it might be repairable with a drop of superglue. For parts/service in the USA, Whites Sewing Center is the Swiss Elna specialist, and they may have spare parts in stock.

I'm guessing this is an Elna air electronic SU? If yes, then the problem is with the diagram inside the right side of the machine where your air control foot pedal tube feeds in. I havent' done this repair myself, I took mine to my favourite sewing machine technician. But if you are technically able, try joining the Yahoo Group called Elna Heirlooms, and then go through the threads there, there's been discussion on this repair before.

Im confused, Stella TSP air electronic has a round black and white air foot with a black air line to the side of the machine like this.



or the earlier Lotus TSP has a electric foot and cable which is made of older style plastics, these are harder to find now but Sewingpartsonline.com carry an aftermarket one like this


No, not cheap parts but beautiful machines that with TLC work so well.

can you please elaborate a bit further? do you mean the pneumatic foot control is not working? If so, check that the air line isn't sitting under your chair's leg, any pressure on this line will stop it working as it operates on air pressure into a bellows inside the machine. If you think that the foot control or the air line has a hole in it you will need to replace it, these parts are still available for sale from www.sewingpartsonline.com, just search using your Elna 2 digit model number to find it. All the Elna air electronics use the same foot control so there's no compatibility issues.

you can buy Elna parts from www.whitesewingcenter.com, he specialises in the Swiss Elnas and carries range of stock. Or www.sewingpartsonline.com or www.sewusa.com stock Elna parts for both early Swiss as well as the latet ones. not sure if you meant a pressure foot or the foot control. If its pressure feet the generic low shank feet may well fit your mschine too once you buy the pressure foot adaptor for the newer clip on feet. There was a Lotus Sp and a star SP but the pressure feet were the same with the built in shank you attached with a thumb screw. the air electronics had the adaptor and clip on feet but they have same height and needle position so can use on earlier ones too.

Is this the duplex model with the base that fits into a sewing cabinet?

My Elna booklet lists a SP "air electronic" duplex (CL.39), if so, then it would be same stitches as the 38, yellow front panel, 7 built in stitches and automatic knob with blue markings for buttonholing.

Here is the SU manual images for buttonholing, should be exactly the same for the SP.

Instructions are:
use buttonhole foot. turn the 3 dials to buttonhole marked in blue (stitch selection, width and length).
Mark length of buttonhol on the material. Place work under foot with the mark in the middile fo the foot, the start being directly below the needle. sew the first side, raise the needle. Turn stitch width dial to 2, blue. Sew a few stitches for bartack. Raise the needle.
Turn stitch width dial to 3 blue. sew the second side. stop just short of the first side. Raise the needle.
turn the stitch width dial to 4 blue. sew a few stitches for bartack. Raise the needle.
Turn stitch width dial to "fastening off stitch" blue dot. Sew a few stitches, holding back the material by hand. Raise needle, lift pressure foot and remove work, triming off threads.
Open the buttonhole with your seam ripper (put a pin across the end to avoid any nasties).