Should You Repair a Sewing Machine? (Plus DIY Servicing Tips for a Sewing Machine)

Should you repair a sewing machine? Well, Almost every sewer has had moments when their beloved sewing machine needed repairs and pondered whether it was even worth repairing the machine or whether they needed to replace it.

Determining the value of repairing your sewing machine is a process that requires careful thought and consideration. So here’s my answer to this.

Yes! Repairing your sewing machine can be worth it! Suppose you have kept your sewing machine in fairly good condition with regular maintenance. In that case, you can easily fix problems and get to work. However, as we expound on below, if your machine has several issues, such as needing constant repairs or is seriously outdated, you should consider skipping the repair and replacing the machine. 

In the right circumstances, repairing your machine instead of replacing it can be worth it. In this article, we examine these circumstances in depth and provide a comprehensive guide on maintaining your sewing machine to ensure longevity and some troubleshooting tips. 

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Sewing Machine?

The cost of fixing a sewing machine depends on several variables, notably the problem with the machine. When repairing, most businesses also charge depending on the type of the sewing machine and not the brand.

Mechanical machines usually cost between 50 and 70 dollars, computerized machines approximately 80 to 100 dollars, and long-arm machines upwards of 100 dollars. 

Most businesses also charge for service and replacement parts separately, so the cost may be higher if you need to replace any parts.

Consider repairing the sewing machine to save on some costs. However, you should only take this option if you are not facing a serious or technical problem and are sure that you can do the repairs, or you might end up causing more problems. 

What Is the Lifespan of a Sewing Machine?

The lifespan of a sewing machine varies differently depending on several factors. On average, you can expect a well-built sewing machine to last at least five years, though machines can last up to 25 years. 

The lifespan of your sewing machine will depend on the following:

• Maintenance

A well-maintained machine serviced regularly will last much longer than one you handle carelessly. A machine you store poorly or do not maintain regularly will need frequent repairs and replacement.

• Machine quality

Sewing machines made with high-quality materials and the required skill are more durable than poorly made machines. When buying a sewing machine, choose from trusted manufacturers with excellent recommendations.

• Use

The use of your sewing machine is also a factor to consider. Machines used for domestic purposes last longer than similar machines for commercial use. 

Suppose you want to increase the lifespan of your sewing machine. You can easily do this with regular clean-ups and servicing appointments, annual tune-ups at the repair shop, and replacing parts with equal or higher quality spares. 

When Should I Replace My Sewing Machine?

Deciding to replace a sewing machine is often difficult for a sewer. Although you may instinctively want to hang on to your sewing machine, you must identify when to move on. Below are some scenarios where you should replace it. 

1. When the Sewing Machine Frequently Needs Repairs.

When your machine frequently needs repairs such that the repair costs are greater than the benefit they give, it is time to get a new sewing machine. Spending large amounts of money to constantly repair a poorly functioning machine is frustrating and impractical. 

While your emotional attachment to the machine may cause you to hold on to the machine for longer than necessary, doing so will prove more expensive in time and money. If you are a professional sewer, repairs may take days or weeks at a time, during which you lose the income that the machine would have generated. 

2. When the Machine Starts Ruining Your Work.

If your sewing machine keeps ruining your work instead of working smoothly, no matter what you do, you may need to replace it. If the machine ruins one or two projects, it may be time for a repair, but if it ruins project after project, it may be time for replacement rather than repair. 

Some ways your machine could be ruining your work include constant oil leaks that damage the fabric and pull the material apart. These issues are usually irreversible and can be a source of serious frustration.

3. When You Need to Upgrade Your Machine.

The reasons for replacing your sewing machine do not need to be as sinister as ruining projects or making endless repairs. Sometimes, no matter how well your machine works, it may be outdated. 

While you do not need to replace the machine every time an upgraded model comes out, you might need to replace it if it is outdated. The upgrades offer significantly higher efficiency, faster outputs, and better features. In that case, it may be time to replace your sewing machine. 

How Often Should You Have Your Sewing Machine Serviced?

We recommend taking your machine in for professional servicing annually. During this appointment, your machine will be cleaned and oiled, and all its functions will be checked to ensure they are working properly. However, the frequency of servicing will also depend on other factors.

If you use your machine more, such as commercial sewers, it will need servicing more than a sewer that uses it mainly for domestic purposes. Also, if you rarely use your machine, the lubricating oil may thicken and seize it, so you must service it before you use it.

Machines whose sewers use them for quilting or sewing through other heavy fabrics also need more frequent servicing. This increased frequency is due to lint build-up and possible tension and timing issues.

What Is Involved In Servicing a Sewing Machine? 

Below is a thorough breakdown of exactly what happens when a sewing machine is getting serviced.

1. Cleaning

Cleaning does not mean just a surface or cosmetic clean to get the machine looking its best, but a deep clean of all its parts. You should first remove dust, fluff, and any broken thread pieces. A common area for these to collect is between the feed dogs. 

We recommend carefully removing the needle plate and setting it aside to access this area easily. Please read the manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on removing it. 

Then, gently use a nylon brush to clean the area. (We don’t recommend using compressed air, as it may cause the debris to lodge further in the machine.) If the debris has gotten matted together, you could pick it up carefully with a pin or needle. 

Another place to check for fluff is in the path of the upper thread, where it may have collected at different points. Apart from cleaning between the feed dogs, open the machine up as much as possible and clean as much of the machine’s working parts as possible. 

2. Oiling

Oiling will largely depend on the sewing machine you are using. Some sewing machines need oiling, and others don’t. Review the manufacturer’s manual to check if you need to oil your machine.

If you do not need to oil it, the manual will state so explicitly, while if it does need oiling, it will provide clear instructions on how to do so. 

If you are oiling your machine, the first step is getting the right oil. You must use sewing machine oil formulated to prevent friction in the machine parts and keep them working smoothly. 

To lubricate, you will first need to remove the top part of the machine to access the moving parts. For vintage machines, this involves tipping the top part on its side to open it, while on more modern versions, you may need to work open a few screws to gain access. 

Then, slowly turn the wheel back and forth and note the touching points of your moving parts (where there is friction); these are the places you need to oil. Apply the needed amount of sewing machine oil to these parts and allow time for the oil to lubricate them before you use your machine again fully. 

3. The bobbin

The bobbin is usually accessed differently depending on the type of machine that you are using. For some modern sewing machines, the bobbin is usually front-loading. It is dropped horizontally into a mechanism in front of the needle plate. 

In contrast, in some modern front-loading machines, the mechanism is accessed from the front of the machine. In some older machines, you can access the bobbin by sliding off a plate next to the needle plate. 

Once you access the bobbin, remove the bobbin and bobbin case. Then, remove the bobbin from the case and blow out any dust or debris.

After this, you can focus on the bobbin case holder, which has a hook that catches the upper thread and engages it with the lower thread to make stitches. Run your finger over the hook and use fine emery to smooth off any burrs you find. 

Ensure you also examine the bobbin winder if your machine has one. Bobbins that you do not wind correctly will invariably cause problems with your stitches. 

4. Timing

The purpose of a sewing machine is to bring the needle and the shuttle hook together at the same place and time. Any variance in this will result in skipped stitches or a machine that does not sew, no matter how small. 

Some of the reasons that can cause the timing to change are catching a pin with your needle or a bent/broken needle. These can cause vibrations that move the gears or needle bar and throw the machine’s needle bar. Checking a sewing machine’s timing is a key part of servicing it.

5. The functions

A key part of servicing a sewing machine is ensuring that all the functions work as they should. Start by checking the effectiveness of the zig-zag stitch, which gives the best indication of timing and tension.

Other sewing machine functions you should check include the foot pressure, feed dogs’ mechanism, and the bobbin winder. A too-tight zig-zag stitch or skipped stitches indicate a problem with these two key features, and you must fix them. 

Apart from these, other elements in the servicing of a sewing machine include:

• Check the motor brushes for older machines to ensure the motor turns freely. 
• Tighten any wobbly or loose gears.
• Check the feed dog’s height and alignment, ensuring they are at the correct height and straight, and do not rub on the stitch plate. 
• Ensure you center the needle in the plate in all four principal horizontal directions.
• Check for excess play between the hook and hook driver.
• Time the movement of the feed dog to the machine’s needle. 

Why Is Singer’s Sewing Machine Jamming?

Jammed sewing machines are one of the most common problems faced by sewers. Some of the possible causes of a jammed machine are:

• Accumulated dust in the feed dogs
• The thread caught in the shuttle. 
• Lint in the hook and shuttle area

The corrective actions to fix your jammed machine are:

• Cleaning the machine thoroughly to remove all the lint and dust
• Disassemble and clean the shuttle area. 
• Oil the machine to lubricate the moving parts.

How Do You Fix a Sewing Machine That Won’t Sew?

Several issues can cause a sewing machine not to sew. Below, we examine some of these issues and give helpful tips on troubleshooting them. 

Problem 1: A jammed machine

As dramatic as it may sound, a jammed machine is one of the most common reasons a machine refuses to sew. The first step to fix this is removing the fabric you were trying to sew.

If it does not easily come off, gently tug on the fabric and lift it enough to allow you to cut off the threads and free the fabric.

Next, you must remove the jammed thread, which may require removing the bobbin and any other parts needed to release the jammed thread to get the machine sewing again. 

A bent needle could also cause a thread jam. Check if the needle is damaged in any way and replace it as soon as possible if it is. To avoid further problems with the needle, always replace it after using it for approximately eight hours. 

Problem 2: Shredding thread

A constantly breaking or shredding thread can also cause the machine to jam. If this is what is happening, some of the possibilities you can check out are:

• The thread is getting stuck on the thread spool. A nick at the spool’s end or even the notch designed to secure the thread’s end can cause this problem. You can fix this by altering the direction in which the thread feeds off the spool.
• You are using old or poor-quality thread. The quality of your thread will determine whether it sheds a lot and jams your machine or stays durable as you sew. Check the thread properties before you buy any thread, and purchase thread from trusted manufacturers. 
• The needle. A needle that has sewn-over pins may have nicks that wreak havoc on the thread and cause it to shred, which will, in turn, eventually cause the machine to jam. If you use special threads that do not fit into the standard needle’s eye, you can buy needles with larger paths instead.
• Dust and lint. If your thread breaks after checking, clean any dust and lint from the bobbin area and tension discs. Run your finger over the thread’s path and clear any burr or debris that may cause snags in the thread. 

Problem 3: The fabric is not moving

This problem could also include the machine not feeding the material. One common problem that causes the fabric not to move and, consequently, the machine not to sew is trying to sew with the presser foot still upright. 

The feed dogs cannot pull the fabric through if the presser foot is not down. When tried, the machine makes loud noises, and the thread jams around the fabric. The solution is to unclog the machine, remove the excess threads on the fabric, lower the foot, and start again.

Other reasons why the fabric is not moving may be:

• The stitch length is set to zero
• Low-presser foot pressure
• Lowered feed dogs
• Knotted threads under the fabric 

The corrective actions that you can take for these problems are:

• Setting the required stitch length
• Setting the correct presser foot pressure
• Raising the feed dogs
• Removing the fabric and undoing the knotted thread.

Problem 4: The sewing machine refuses to run

Some of the possible reasons, apart from jamming that the sewing machine may refuse to run are:

• Placing the presser foot incorrectly may result in it hitting the presser foot
• The needle in the machine’s shuttle area

The corrective actions you can take include:

• Tighten the presser foot and place it properly
• Insert a needle and ensure that you place it in the right position.

Problem 5: Broken needles

Broken needles can also cause the sewing machine not to run. Some of the reasons why you may constantly have broken needles include:

• Using the wrong type of needle
• Not inserting the needle fully
• A loose needle clamp screw
• A loose presser foot
• Pulling the fabric 

Some of the possible remedies for these problems include:

• Using the right needle size for the fabric
• Inserting the needle into the needle bar properly
• Using the right presser foot
• Tightening the needle clamp screw securely
• Guiding the fabric gently instead of pulling it roughly.

How Do You Know Your Sewing Machine Needs Oil?

First, it is important to know that not all sewing machines need to be oiled. The easiest way to know if your sewing machine needs oil is to check the manufacturer’s manual, which states whether it needs oiling. If you do not have the manual, you can ask the manufacturer to send one or download it online.

Although even machines that need oiling may come pre-lubricated, oiling your machine regularly is still a good idea, especially if you use it often or frequently sew heavier fabrics. 

What Part of the Sewing Machine Should Be Avoided When Oiling?

You should avoid parts such as the presser foot, needle, bobbin, or plate when oiling your machine. These parts of the machine have contact with the fabric, as this will leave stains behind. Also, do not oil the tension discs, belts, rubber rings, and the handwheel release.

Conversely, the areas of the sewing machine that need attention when sewing are the faceplate, the handwheel area, and other moving parts in the machine’s interior.

How Do I Maintain My Sewing Machine?

Proper maintenance and care of a sewing machine help keep it working smoothly and increase its lifespan. Maintaining your sewing machine mainly consists of cleaning, oiling, and correct handling, some of which we covered in the servicing section. 

Apart from the present care of the sewing machine, maintenance helps ensure that it will endure for a long time and have great long-term use. 

Since we have already handled cleaning and oiling, this section will cover the correct handling techniques for the sewing machine. Correctly handling the sewing machine includes:

1. Setting Up the Machine

Below is a guide on correctly setting up your sewing machine.

• Place the sewing machine on a hard and flat surface.
• Install the right needle securely in the needle bar
• Choose the right thread according to the fabric
• Wind the thread around the bobbin
• Thread the machine with help from the manual
• Set the required stitch length
• Balance the thread tension on the sewing machine

2. Adopting Safety Measures Before Sewing

Some of the safety measures to adopt before you start sewing include:

• Ensure that the machine cord is in good condition.
• When threading the needle, keep the feet from the treadle.
• Move the needle to the highest position while you place the fabric for sewing.
• Hold the ends of the loose top and bottom thread before you start the sewing machine.
• Ensure that the sewing machine has enough lighting to prevent any accidents.

3. Following Safety Measures During Sewing

The safety measures you should be keen on as you sew include:

• Use a needle guard to protect your fingers from the needle.
• Sew at a slow, steady pace or a pace you can handle without problems.
• Keep a careful watch on the machine’s sounds. If it makes any loud or abnormal sounds, stop sewing and have the machine checked by a technician. 

4. Proper Handling of the Tools and Equipment

Some of the ways you can ensure you handle your tools and equipment include:

• The Needles

The needles guide the thread through the fabric and create secure stitches. Using the right needle is paramount to having a great sewing experience. Ensure that you purchase needles made from good stainless steel to prevent rusting. 

Ensure the needle is right for the fabric and thread you are using. To avoid damaging the needle, keep from pressing it on a hard surface. Also, make sure that you store the needle in a clean and dry place.

When using the needle, only use it for approximately eight hours of sewing before replacing it to prevent bent and broken needles that may ruin the machine.

• The Needle Threader

A needle threader threads the sewing needle quickly and easily. Its eye should be large enough to hold the thread without forcing it through, and you should store it carefully to avoid damaging it. 

• The Seam Ripper

The purpose of the seam ripper is to remove fine stitches and pick off single threads. Ensure you keep the seam ripper clean and sharp and only use it for its designated purpose. Choose a seam ripper that is appropriate for the fabric you are using. 

Heavier seam rippers are used for heavier jobs, while lighter ones cut through light threads. To keep it from damage, ensure that the seam ripper is covered when not using it. 

Final Thoughts: Should You Repair a Sewing Machine?

Repairing your sewing machine can give you several more years of service and save you the costs of buying a new machine. However, a standard rule when choosing whether to repair or replace is to ensure that the cost of repairs is not more than the cost of the sewing machine. 

Also, if you are replacing sewing machine parts, ensure that the spares you get are of good quality and designed for that machine. Still, the question remains,

Should You Repair a Sewing Machine?

Yes! Repairing a sewing machine can be worth it. It may be worth it if the sewing machine you want to repair is in good condition and you have maintained regular maintenance. 

We appreciate you taking the time to read the article, and I hope it has answered any questions you had.