Does anyone know of a cam to use in an Elna Carina that makes a stitch very similar to french entredeux? What is the cam number?

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.

Suspect the machine has seized due to lack of regular cleaning and oiling.

Elna Carina Electronic SU Duplex Review

Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

No, the Carina came with a standard zig zag plate and 5 feet I think from memory, the teflon coated foot , the embroidery foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot and darning foot.

These may help:

Make Your Own Entredeux with Charlene Phillips WeAllSew BERNINA USAs blog...

consumer made entredeux

..

you need to set the stitch width dial to zero, the stitch length dial to zero so that the cam following arm is disengaged and moved back off the cam. Now look at the cam, it is sitting on a silver shiny spindle, press down onto this with your fingers and this will unlock the little finger which locks onto the cam, releasing the cam upwards. Press firmly and it should release.

Elna Carina set zig zag YouTube

ELNA Carina Instruction Manual

Perhaps the spindle where the cam sets needs a drop of good quality sewing machine oil, like Tri-Flow Synthetic Lube. Be sure the stitch length & width are set to Zero.

Elna Carina Electronic SU Duplex Review

How to remove can from an elna Carina Its stuck and can remove it My...

I read what you wrote about a missing magnet, I suggest that you contact
elna sewing machine's website & ask them, here's their email information
[email protected]
here's their phone number----1-800-992-2991
good luck

Throughout the Swiss Elna range there were several of their top of line models that have the black cams for additional stitches and they all have an "Elnagraph" device in the top of the machine case where you insert the cams.

There are single cams where the needle just moves ffrom side to side while the fabric moves forward. And double cams where the needle moves from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward and backwards to get a combination stitch. The trick is to get the Elnagraph to engage so the arm in it can "read" off the disc.

There are a couple of other knobs that you need to adjust to get the cam stitch though.

Star Series: (white machine with blue top) you need to put the stitch selector inside the elnagraph flap to "A" on the Star series and then stitch width to 4 and stitch length to the red A zone.

Air Electronic SU or Carina: you have 3 knobs from left to right - stitch selector (put it on 7) , stitch width (put it on 4, orange area) and stitch length (turn it around to the orange zone for the automatic stitches).

And on the early Supermatic the adjustments are a little different again.

And ALWAYS turn the stitch width and length dials back to zero, before you change the stitch selector, or pop out a cam.

I hope this helps you get your Elna stitching from the cam, there is a great Yahoo group called Elna Heirlooms too where there are lots of knowledgeable Elna owners and some files listing all the cam stitches.

Is it possible that you've lowered the feed dogs and not raised them again? Is the stitch length dial set to 2.5 and not on a buttonhole blue setting or the Automatic "A" setting?