Sewing machine repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What sewing machine repair is

Sewing machine repair services a machine that skips stitches, shreds thread, sews unevenly or will not run. A technician cleans lint, oils moving parts, adjusts tension and timing, and replaces needles, belts, motor brushes or the foot pedal. People call when the stitch quality drops or the machine has made a new sound.

Signs you need it

  • The machine skips stitches or the thread breaks more often than it should
  • The stitches are loose on top, loose underneath, or uneven in length
  • The machine makes a grinding, knocking or squealing noise while it sews
  • The motor runs slowly, stops under load or smells of burning
  • The foot pedal does not respond, or the speed changes on its own
  • Lint has built up in the bobbin area and the feed dogs look clogged

What the pro does

  • Clean the bobbin case, the feed dogs and the hook race of lint and thread
  • Oil the moving parts as the manual specifies, and check the oil ports for wear
  • Check the tension discs, the take-up lever and the upper thread path
  • Test the timing of the needle and the hook, and adjust it to the manufacturer's specification
  • Replace worn parts such as needles, belts, motor brushes or the foot pedal, if the test shows they are failing
  • Sew test stitches on several fabric weights, and check the stitch quality and the seam straightness

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Mechanical versus computerized machine, since electronic boards cost more to diagnose
  • Whether the timing or hook needs adjusting, which takes more time than cleaning
  • Motor brushes, belts and the foot pedal, which are replaceable parts
  • Age and brand, and whether parts are still available for the model
  • Whether the machine needs a full service or a single repair
  • Damage from a broken needle or a bent needle bar

What a written quote should spell out

  • Machine make, model and serial number
  • Each service item by name, such as cleaning, oiling, timing and tension adjustment
  • Which parts are replaced, such as needles, belts, brushes or the foot pedal, and the part numbers
  • Whether a test sew on several fabrics is included
  • Warranty on the parts and the labor, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Did you clean the hook race and the bobbin case before adjusting the timing?
  • Is the timing adjusted to the manufacturer's specification?
  • Do you replace the motor brushes, and how do you check the motor?
  • Will you sew test stitches on several fabric weights before I pick it up?
  • Do you carry the foot pedal or the belt for my model?
  • Does the warranty cover the parts and the labor?
  • Is the machine worth servicing at its age?

Red flags

  • A timing adjustment made with no check of the hook and needle position
  • A service that does not include cleaning the hook race and the bobbin case
  • No test sew before the machine is handed back
  • A quote with a general repair line and no part names
  • Refusal to show the worn parts that were replaced

What you can do yourself

You can change the needle, remove lint from the bobbin area with a small brush, clean the feed dogs, and oil only the spots the manual marks. Unplug the machine before you clean under the needle plate or remove the bobbin case. Do not open the motor, the foot pedal wiring or the electronic board; call a pro for timing, motor, belt, pedal or board faults.

Licenses and permits

Sewing machine repair is generally not a licensed trade. Check with your state or local licensing agency or business office for any business license that applies.

Sewing machine repair questions

Why does my machine skip stitches?

Skipped stitches often come from a bent or dull needle, incorrect needle timing, lint in the hook race or a wrong thread path. Change the needle first, then have the machine checked if the skipping continues.

How often should a sewing machine be serviced?

Follow the manufacturer's schedule. Machines that are used often benefit from a yearly cleaning and oiling, and machines that are used lightly need less.

How does infinibell work?

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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