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Your sewing machine is going to break down sooner or later. It’s inevitable… Even with proper maintenance, sewing machines wear down and need parts replaced. If it’s time to get your sewing machine serviced, be informed before you go. Here are six questions people frequently ask about sewing machine repair.
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1. Where Do I Take My Sewing Machine for Repairs?
Ideally, you’ll want to find a local sewing machine repair shop where you can drop off your machine to get it serviced. Search the internet for, “sewing machine repair shops near me.” If you bought your sewing machine from an authorized dealer, they probably also do sewing machine repairs.
If you don’t live close enough to a sewing machine repair shop, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer for options on where you can mail your sewing machine to get it serviced. This might be a better option anyway if your sewing machine is still under warranty.
Warning: Many companies claim they can service your sewing machine, but make sure they are certified in your sewing machine’s brand before you take your machine in. They should have certificates in their store that prove they know how to fix your brand.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Service a Sewing Machine?
You shouldn’t have to pay more than $100 for a basic sewing machine tune-up or diagnostic service. At a tune-up, a repair technician will thoroughly clean and oil your machine and inspect it for wear and tear. However, if your sewing machine needs repairs, the cost of parts and labor can quickly add up. It’s hard to estimate the total cost of your sewing machine service because it varies based on what is wrong. Belt replacement is inexpensive but motors are more costly.
Before you call to make an appointment, write down your sewing machine’s brand, model number, serial number, and a brief description of what is wrong with your sewing machine. This will help you set up an appointment faster and get a preliminary quote over the phone.
Most sewing machine repair shops will warranty their service for 90 days. Be wary of any repair shop that does not offer a warranty, or the term is 30 days or less. When you’re paying a chunk of money for a sewing machine service, you should have peace of mind that your problem will be solved and that you won’t have to pay another service fee the next time you bring your sewing machine in if the problem was not truly fixed.
It’s good to take your sewing machine in for a tune-up, but you don’t need to go running to a repair shop every time something goes wrong. You can save a lot of money if you learn to fix common sewing machine problems yourself. Before you call and make an appointment, check for solutions in my book, Sewing Machine Problems and How to Solve Them. I can help you troubleshoot over 20 common sewing machine problems.
3. What Do I Bring to My Sewing Machine Service Appointment?
Obviously, you should bring your sewing machine, but also bring the power cord, foot pedal, bobbin and bobbin case, and your standard presser foot. If you’re bringing your embroidery machine in for service, make sure to bring an embroidery hoop and your embroidery foot.
When you call to set up an appointment, ask what to bring. Some sewing machine repair shops will want your user manual. However, most repair shops already have access to the manuals for popular sewing machine brands, such as Babylock, Brother, Elna, Singer, Viking Husqvana, and White.
4. What Happens to My Sewing Machine at a Tune-Up Appointment?
At a sewing machine tune-up, a repair technician completely overhauls your machine by removing all of the covers and cleaning out any old gunk, grime, grease, and lint hiding in your machine. Your sewing machine is then properly lubricated, examined, and reassembled.
Your sewing machine repair technician will look for broken parts and inspect 50+ points in your machine. Here are a few things they do at your appointment:
- Clean sewing machine inside and out
- Apply fresh oil to moving parts
- Adjust top and bottom thread tension
- Adjust hook and feed timing
- Check thread cutters and automatic needle threader
- Check bobbin winder
- Check and buff out any burrs in bobbin case
- Check motor
- Check gears
- Check belts
5. How Long Will It Take to Service My Sewing Machine?
Most sewing machine repair shops need a minimum of 48 hours to service your sewing machine, but it varies greatly from company to company. If your sewing machine needs replacement parts, you may need to wait longer since sewing machine repair shops don’t always have the parts your machine needs in stock.
6. How Often Should I Get My Sewing Machine Serviced?
Most sewing machine problems are the result of built-up lint and grime. You should learn how to clean your sewing machine yourself to keep it running well. Then, take your sewing machine to a repair shop for a deeper cleaning every one to two years. This is especially important if you don’t feel comfortable disassembling your sewing machine to get the lint and grime out of the gears and the other internal mechanisms in your machine.
If you can’t remember the last time you took your sewing machine in for repairs, you should probably schedule a tune-up. Lint, thread, and grime accumulate deep inside your machine. It needs to be cleaned out to keep your sewing machine running well. Regular maintenance is important!
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I like how you mentioned that it’s ideal to drop off your sewing machine at a repair shop to get it services. My wife is considering looking for a sewing machine repair specialist because she noticed last week while using it that it was making a strange sound and wasn’t operating correctly. I think it’s a good idea to consider taking her equipment to a reputable professional that can help her repair her device so she can sew again.