The Lotus is the little Swiss machine that folds shut like a flower. Elna launched it in 1968, Raymond Loewy's design firm styled it with Douglas Kelley, and the Museum of Modern Art put it in its design collection. Tavaro built it in Geneva until about 1980. Metal flaps fold up around the machine to make its own case, the handle tucks away and the feet store under the top cover. There are four versions to know. The EC sews straight only, the ZZ adds zigzag, the SP has four utility stitches and the TSP of 1975 to 1977 has eight. The last restyled white range has smoked flaps you can lift off to use the free arm. Elna later sold a computerized machine under the same name, so check you're looking at the original.
Under the throat plate
Ask for a photo under the slide plate with the bobbin case in place. A missing bobbin case or the wrong needle system is the most common reason a machine that looks fine won’t sew.
The small latch tips on the fold-up flaps break off, and original Lotus foot controls are getting scarce. Many eBay results are the modern computerized Lotus, a different machine.
New to old machines? How to check a used sewing machine walks through the handwheel, the wiring, the bobbin case and a test seam.
Buying guide
Only three Lotuses are listed, so the $180–240 band isn't a market read. We'd buy the folded-up set with its foot control, manual and accessories at $238 delivered from a 100% seller, or the Lotus SP titled works and tested at $223 delivered. The cheapest, an SP with its foot pedal at $151, is only titled turns on, which isn't the same as sews. On any Lotus, ask for photos with the flaps folded shut, since the small latch tips break off, and make sure the original foot control comes with it, because they're getting scarce.
$151.07est. delivered
The lowest delivered Lotus, an SP with its foot pedal, at $151. It's titled turns on, so ask for a straight and zigzag sample on scrap before you buy.
Elna Lotus SP Sewing Machine w/ Foot Pedal Turns on
$237.70est. delivered
A complete set with the foot control, manual and accessories in the photo, from a 100% seller. The version isn't titled, so look for EC, ZZ, SP or TSP on the machine.
Vintage Elna Lotus Sewing Machine Vintage Set with Accessories
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$151.07est. delivered
$125.00 + $26.07 shipping
Buy It Now$125.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Lotus SP with foot pedal. Titled turns on, not sews.
Seller: itvin13
98.4% positive
Used$237.70est. delivered
$135.00 + $102.70 shipping
Buy It Now$135.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Folded Lotus with foot control, manual and accessories. Version not titled.
Seller: mystore1293
100% positive
Used$222.88est. delivered
$175.00 + $47.88 shipping
Buy It Now$175.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Lotus SP titled works and tested. Ask about the foot control.
Seller: mistiquefinds
98.9% positive
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