I service, repair, & restore vintage Singer sewing machines, especially the Featherweight 221 & 222, the 301, the 400 & 500 series, the 201, 66, 15-91, 99 & treadle machines, as well as most other Singer models.
*I may also service & tune up some other brands/models*
Service & Repair rates listed below
A vintage sewing machine is generally defined as a model between 25 and 100 years old (roughly the 1920s–1980s), often featuring all-metal construction and high-quality engineering, and the machine is operated by using levers, buttons, and/or dials--no electronics or computerized parts.
Services
Basic Service
Basic Tune-up Service for machines that are currently working and you can still sew with it, but the machines just needs a basic tune-up to sew better (no repairs) includes the following:
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Basic clean inside and outside of machine and delint the inside
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* See note below
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Oil all applicable parts and lubricate gears
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Clean upper tension assembly and adjust tension
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Clean lower bobbin area, clean and buff out any burrs, adjust tension if needed
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Check power cord and foot pedal cord for any problem areas such as wear or cracks.
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Check light bulb
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Check motor belt operation
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Check bobbin winder
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Check gears and lubricate
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Check hook timing & stroke
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Check Feed Dog
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Basic tune-up service does not include repair of broken or worn parts, such as belts, lightbulbs, spool pins, etc., if needed, there is an extra charge for those items. *Also does not include opening and checking the inside of the motor, motor wicks, or brushes.
Repairs
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Sewing Machine Needle Will Not Move
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Sewing Machine Suddenly Stops During Sewing
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Sewing Machine Bobbin Thread Breaks
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Sewing Machine Thread Bunches
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Sewing Machine Does Not Feed the Material
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Sewing Machine Needle Will Not Turn
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Sewing Machine Makes a Knocking Noise
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Sewing Machine is Jammed
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Sewing Machine Skips Stitches
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Sewing Machine Will Not Run
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Motor and/or Foot Controller rewiring for safety or upgrade
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And there's more...
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This includes machines not currently working
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The machine has been dropped or broken, or someone has tried to do a self-repair:(
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The machine was acquired from a thrift store, tag sale, Ebay, or FB marketplace
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The machine has been stored for an extended period of time on a shelf or in a garage, cellar, or storage unit--basically unused for a long time!
**If you answer "Yes" to any of the following situations listed below, your machine IS A REPAIR SITUATION and falls under the hourly repair fee NOT the basic tune-up fee. If you also choose to have the machine serviced/tuned up after it's repaired (highly recommended to do that), it will be an additional $79 for that tune-up service after the repair is complete.
*See repair rate listed below*
Refurbishing
I do offer limited functional restoration or refurbishing services to return your SINGER sewing machine to like-new working order (I only restore Singers) The entire machine is disassembled, parts are thoroughly cleaned, polished, and repaired as necessary, and all functions such as timing, tension, etc., are worked on and corrected. The machine is then reassembled and all the exterior metal parts are polished, and the body is clean, waxed and polished.
Note: In my refurbishing process, there is no painting of the sewing machine body. I do not repaint or touch up the original color or paint the machine a different color or replace decals. I truly believe in preserving what I call the "heritage marks" of the sewists who had the wonderful experience and pleasure of sewing on this machine, because every vintage sewing machine has a story.
Refurbishing cost is quoted on an individual basis and consideration given to the complexity of the restoration required/requested.
Now that you've read all of the above information, check out the service rates below. If you're ready to move forward, please click on the Service Request Form button below to download the form to fill out and get things stitching along. See the information below for the exact process on how to get your sewing machine to me for service.
Rates
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Basic Service....................................................$79
(For all Basic Service, parts such as belts (and the labor cost to install it), lightbulb, etc. are additional if needed--you will be contacted before adding this to your service)
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Repairs.............................................................$39/hour plus cost of parts
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Motor clean and/or rewire......................................................$39/hour plus cost of parts
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Foot Controller rewire........................................$40 to $60
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Refurbish/Restoration.......................................................Customized quote
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*Chemical clean.................................................$25 (heavy dust/lint and solidified grease inside and on gears)
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Diagnostic machine check without service....................... $35 nonrefundable deposit is required. *If the machine is ultimately serviced and/or repaired, the fee is deducted from the total amount owed. Please note: This fee covers my professional time & work to diagnose your machine and to let you know if it is possible to repair it or not, and there is no refund for this fee even if the sewing machine cannot be repaired.
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Additional basic parts (if needed): belt $18; FW Superbelt $20; standard lightbulb $12; LED lightbulb $18
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Please note that NY State sales tax applies to all repair & service business--no matter how small, so the appropriate sales tax will be added to your invoice.
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For service/tune-up/repairs--a nonrefundable $35 deposit is due upon dropping off your machine. This will be applied and deducted from your total invoice balance after service is complete.
My Service & Repair Process
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Contact me using the Contact Email Form below. Please give the make and model of your sewing machine, and whether you're interested in only a Basic Service Tune-up or your machine is in need of a repair of some type (please describe the issue with the machine).
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I will review your information and reply within 72 hours or less. After that, I will ask you to download the Service Request form using the button at the top if the website and fill out the form completely completely and email it back to me.
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Once the form is returned to me via email (a photo of the complete form from your phone is acceptable to email back if you do not have a scanner), I will then set up a day for you to meet me at one of my designated drop-off locations. ***Your Service Request Form must be sent to me before the drop-off day.
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I'll keep you updated on the progress of your machine or if issues arise.
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You'll be notified via email when your machine is ready for pickup, and an invoice will be emailed to you at that time. The remaining balance owed for services is required at the time your sewing machine is returned.
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You may pay in cash or local check when you pick up your machine. No credit cards accepted.
NOTE: Sewing machines not picked up within 30 days will be sold and the proceeds donated to my favorite dog rescue. Woof!
The Gallery: Where the past meets the present
1950 Singer Featherweight 221
Questions?
Drop me a stitch-----
Please fill out the Contact form, and I'll get back to you within 48 to 72 hours. Please let me know the make/model of your machine and what service or possible repair you are seeking. Thanks!
Located in Lake Placid, NY.
I have multiple designated sewing machine pick-up locations around the North Country & Adirondack regions. If you live outside those areas, we can choose a meet-up location that may work for you and me both--we'll talk!