We service machines regardless of where you bought them, and we do warranty work here rather than shipping it away.
Sewing machine repair and service
How much does sewing machine servicing cost?
A standard clean, oil, and tune-up on a domestic sewing machine typically runs about [$XX–$XX] at SewLoyal, with computerized and embroidery machines toward the upper end because of the additional timing and calibration work. Repairs beyond routine service are quoted after diagnosis and billed at [$XX] per hour plus parts. Longarm and industrial machines are quoted separately. We publish our full price list below so you can compare before you call.
How often should a sewing machine be serviced?
Once a year is the standard recommendation for a machine in regular home use, and most manufacturers say the same in their manuals. Sew daily or run a small business on it and every six months is more realistic. If your machine sits idle for months at a time, service it before a big project rather than on a calendar. The practical signal is behavior, not time: skipped stitches, thread nesting under the fabric, tension you cannot resolve, a change in sound, or growing resistance in the handwheel all mean it is due regardless of when it was last in.
Is it worth repairing an old sewing machine or should I replace it?
The usual rule is that a repair is worth it when the estimate comes in under about half the cost of an equivalent new machine, but that rule breaks down at both ends. All-metal mechanical machines from the mid-twentieth century are often worth repairing well past that threshold, because the build quality is not available at any price in a new entry-level machine. Conversely, an inexpensive modern machine with a failed circuit board is usually not worth repairing, because the board alone can approach the machine's replacement cost. Bring it in for a diagnosis and we will tell you honestly which side of the line yours falls on.
Do you repair sewing machines you didn't sell?
Yes. SewLoyal services machines regardless of where they were purchased, including machines bought online, at big-box retailers, secondhand, or inherited. We are an authorised service centre for Janome, Elna, Riccar and Simplicity, which means warranty work is done here rather than shipped away. We also service most other domestic machines out of warranty — Brother, Singer, Bernina, Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking, Baby Lock and Juki among them. Warranty repairs are handled for brands we are an authorised dealer for; for other brands or out-of-warranty machines, work is billed at our standard rates.
How long does sewing machine repair take?
Routine service is typically 5 to 7 business days. Repairs needing ordered parts depend on manufacturer availability and commonly run 2 to 4 weeks. We call with an estimate before doing any work beyond the diagnostic, and we will tell you at drop-off if we can already see a reason it will run longer.
What does a sewing machine tune-up actually include?
A full service means the machine is disassembled far enough to reach the internals, lint and thread debris are removed from the bobbin area, feed dogs, and tension discs, moving parts are cleaned and lubricated, timing and hook clearance are checked and adjusted, tension is set and tested, the feed and stitch quality are tested across fabric weights, and the machine is run to confirm it holds settings. A tune-up that consists of blowing out the bobbin case and handing it back is not a service.