Elna eXcellence 720 PRO sewing machine review

About this expert: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid has worked in the craft industry for over thirty years as a technical writer and Editor for sewing magazines and is also a professional curtain maker. She is currently a TV shopping presenter for Sewing Street and runs her own sewing kit business, Amber Makes with her business partner Amy.

She sews almost every single day, designing and making new projects and kits for Amber Makes and is lucky enough to get to work with the experts and use and play with a whole range of machines to demonstrate them on air too!

Elna eXcellence 720 PRO

Sewing Machine Tech Specs

• Weight 11kg – Aluminium Frame
• Width: 516mm
• Height: 300mm
• Depth 220mm
• Sewing Space: 255x120mm
• LCD Screen
• Max stitch width: 9mm
• Max stitch length: 5mm
• Sewing speed: 1200 spm
• Alphabets: 3
• Typefaces: 3
• One-step buttonholes: 9

How much is Elna eXcellence 720 PRO

The machine is $2999 from Walmart

Is Elna eXcellence 720 PRO good value for money?

In terms of value for money, this sewing machine is excellent. It includes all the accessories I need, but other items, such as speciality feet are also available. If you need more bobbins or needles, you can easily get them, and the machine has a two-year warranty

Elna eXcellence 720 PRO functions

Stitch choice

With 200 stitches and a wider than the standard 9mm max stitch width then you can decorate your fabric to your heart’s content. The stitches are easy to select with three different modes and the machine comes with a handy stitch reference chart that you can clip to the machine when not in use.

More importantly, though, many of these stitches are utility stitches so you can use them for sewing on a whole range of fabrics from standard cotton to chiffon, jersey, vinyl and denim and everything else in between.

This machine has a memory function too so you can apply your favourite settings to keep and will remember up to 20 pattern combinations.

The decorative stitches can also be used for speciality stitching such as appliqué, drawn work, smocking, patchwork piecing as well as a twin needle option. There are three alphabets and three typefaces so you can monogram everything you own and the machine can remember it for you too.

There are so many functions, and I was surprised at the difference this machine made to my sewing and how much quicker and easier it was too.

Rebecca Reid

Feet for the Elna eXcellence 720 PRO

The Elna eXcellence 720 PRO comes with 12 different feet including your standard foot, zip foot as well as an overlock foot and a ¼in foot – perfect for patch workers.

My favourite is the free-motion quilting foot which often doesn’t come as a standard accessory. You can use this for quilting as well as free motion embroidery and I’ve also found that it makes sewing on vinyl and non-woven fabrics a breeze as the fabrics don’t ‘stick’ as the foot lets it move across the feed dogs evenly and smoothly.

Don’t forget to check out our best sewing machines guide for more tips on what to consider when buying a sewing machine.

Special features of the Elna eXcellence 720 PRO

The manual which comes with the Elna eXcellence 720 PRO is excellent and really easy to read and understand. It’s worth a complete read-through when you have time so you can see the amazing capabilities of this machine. There are a few features which are worth highlighting that I particularly love.

Knee Lifter

This metal arm attaches to the front of the machine and sits just above your knee so that you can raise your knee to raise the presser foot and lower it to lower. This allows you to sew with both hands without having to take one off for raising the foot – brilliant when sewing round tight curves or big quilts!

Extension table

This is easily slid onto the end of the machine with little fold-down legs that you can adjust for a perfectly flat table. It measures 40x60cm so really adds to your workspace – perfect for sewing curtains and big quilts.

Extra high-pressure foot lift

When you lift the foot to release the fabric you usually only need one height setting. But, when working on thicker fabrics or stitching within a hoop for free machine embroidery, the extra height setting makes releasing these fabrics so much easier.

Needle Plates

You get three needle plates with the machine which really helps to get that professional finish. There are specific feet and stitches which you use for these needle plates but once you’ve worked this out – choosing the right plate makes a big difference to your sewing quality.

Buttonholes

You can work nine different buttonhole styles on this machine so you can choose exactly the right one for your project or garment. The buttonhole style is pre-set and by using the Automatic Buttonhole Foot you’ll get accurate results too. There’s even a button sewing foot so you never need to sew one on by hand again.

Elna eXcellence 720 PRO optional extras

There’s a great choice of speciality feet you can buy such as a bias binder foot and detachable optic magnifier for specific purposes. You’ll need to buy new needles and probably bobbins but they’re easy to get hold of. Just make sure you use the same brand as they fit properly.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our roundup of the best computerised sewing machines in 2023.

Is Elna eXcellence 720 PRO easy to use?

There are so many whizzy features on the machine which give you a whole range of choices. It’s really easy to thread up with the thread direction printed on the machine so you don’t even need the manual to show you how.

The bobbin winder has an independent motor which is great as you can wind a bobbin of thread without having to unthread the machine. You’ll need to refer to the manual to choose the stitch type, length and width you need and also select the correct foot but is fairly simple to do then you’re up and running.

Our verdict: Should you buy Elna eXcellence 720 PRO?

I spent a lot of time talking to other sewists and trawling through websites and reviews before I chose to buy the Elna eXcellence 720 PRO and I’m not disappointed.

There are so many functions, and I was surprised at the difference this machine made to my sewing and how much quicker and easier it was too.

So – if you’re looking to improve your stitch quality and expand your skill set then I’d highly recommend this machine. This is a real workhorse with a professional finish. So many stitchers are held back by their machine whether it’s skipped stitches, too few feet and accessories or not enough power but this is great value for money for what you get. I’m still learning new things it can do!

• $2999 from Walmart

Elna eXcellence 720 PRO – the right machine for you?

This machine is a brilliant next step after you’ve already had a cheaper or beginner machine. It is reasonably priced and has a tonne of functions to choose from. It will help you to improve your skill set, and make your sewing look even better!

Compare this machine with others on the market with Gathered

Still unsure about your next purchase? Weight up your options with our round-up of the best sewing machines, and find the perfect machine for you!

Rebecca Reid

Rebecca is founder of Amber Makes and has previously worked as Senior Technical Editor of Love Embroidery and Simply Sewing magazines. She works with sewing TV channels including Sewing Street, Yarn Lane and Sewing Quarter. She been stitching since she was a child and has worked on many craft magazines as well as running her own curtain-making business. She is known by her colleagues as a sewing oracle – you name it, she can sew it. She’s hugely knowledgeable about sewing techniques, fabrics and tools and is full of helpful advice for her fellow sewists, from the best place to buy curtain-making materials to which books and websites are handy for that sewing problem you’re stuck on.

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