From routine maintenance and tune-ups to mechanical and electronic repairs, our technicians service sewing machines from the 1800s through today's computerized models.
Sewing Machine Repair
The answers to the questions we hear most often.
Do you repair sewing machines?
Yes. We provide routine maintenance, diagnosis, and repair for sewing machines from antique and vintage models through today’s computerized machines.
Do you work on my machine?
We service all makes and models. Because we work on such a wide range of machines, please bring the complete setup we need to operate and test yours.
How long will it take?
Timing depends on the repair, our current queue, and whether parts need to be ordered. Your machine is evaluated before repair work begins.
How much will it cost?
Every repair begins with an estimate so we can inspect the machine, determine what it needs, and let you know the expected cost before proceeding.
How Sewing Machine Repair Works
From drop-off to pickup, here's what to expect.
Start Your Intake
Complete your repair intake before you visit. This gives us the machine and problem information we need and makes drop-off faster.
Drop Off Your Machine
Bring the machine along with the accessories we need to properly operate and test it.
Diagnosis & Estimate
A technician inspects your machine, evaluates its condition, and determines what service or repair work it needs.
Approve & Repair
We’ll contact you when approval is needed. Once approved, your machine enters the repair queue and we complete and test the repair.
Ready for Pickup
We’ll let you know when your machine is ready to come home.
What Should I Bring With My Machine?Foot control, power cord, bobbin, presser feet, and anything needed to reproduce the problem.
We service machines ranging from the 1800s through today’s models, so we cannot keep every cord, controller, bobbin, foot, and accessory on hand. Bringing the complete setup allows us to properly diagnose the machine and test it before it goes home.
Foot Control
Bring the foot control unless your machine does not use one. Treadles, hand-crank machines, and some commercial machines with table-mounted motors are exceptions. If your machine is hard-wired into a cabinet with a block cord, that cord can remain in the cabinet.
Power Cord
Bring the power cord unless it does not apply to your machine. On some models the power cord and foot-control cord are combined.
Bobbin
If your machine needs a bobbin to sew, we need a bobbin to estimate and test it. This does not apply to sergers, coverstitch machines, or chain-stitch machines.
Presser Feet
We need to test the functions of the machine, not only the stitch you normally use. At minimum, bring the standard zigzag foot for machines that offer zigzag stitching. If the problem involves a special function, bring the foot or accessory used for that function. A satin-stitch foot may be needed for decorative or stretch stitches, and a buttonhole foot is needed to properly test the buttonhole function.
Embroidery Unit & Hoop
Embroidery machine estimates require an embroidery unit and hoop so we can test the embroidery functions. For testing, we prefer the original-style hoop over aftermarket magnetic or stick-on hoops.
Helpful for Specific Problems
If the problem occurs with a particular thread, bring that thread so we can reproduce it. If you prefer a particular brand or weight of thread, bring it or tell us at intake. If an embroidery problem occurs with a particular stabilizer, bring a couple of hoop-sized pieces for testing.
Estimates & Repair TimingHow estimates work, what affects repair time, and what happens when parts are needed.
Every repair starts with an estimate.
The estimate gives us a chance to inspect your machine, evaluate its condition, determine the work it needs, and let you know the expected cost before repair work is completed.
Owners Hub Members
Members of the Millard Sewing Owners Hub are provided Free Estimates
Non-Members
All other machine estimates require a small deposit before an estimate can be completed. This deposit is applied to the repair charges or machine replacement if that is decided to be the better route. All declined repairs forfeit this deposit.
Estimates are estimates. Occasionally additional problems become apparent only after we get farther into a repair, especially when a machine does not stitch at all when it arrives. We try to identify that possibility during the initial estimate and communicate significant changes before proceeding.
Repair Timing
Machines are evaluated in the order they arrive. After an estimate is approved, the machine enters the repair queue.
Routine maintenance, cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, and minor repairs are generally the least involved. Timing, belts, gears, and similar mechanical repairs require additional technician time. Motor replacement, rewiring, circuit-board work, and other major repairs can take longer.
Special-order parts can also extend the repair time.
Drop-Off, Shipping, Pickup & DeliveryHow to get your machine to us — including cabinet machines and shipped repairs.
Dropping Off Your Machine
Complete your repair intake before bringing the machine to us. This makes check-in faster and is especially helpful if someone else will be dropping the machine off for you.
Is Your Machine in a Cabinet?
Many older sewing machines are attached to their cabinet and need to be removed before transport. If you’re not sure how yours comes out, use our illustrated cabinet-removal guide before trying to force or lift the machine.
Shipping a Machine to Us
Complete the repair intake before shipping your machine so we have your contact information and know what problem we’re looking for when it arrives.
Pickup & Delivery
All repair work is performed in-house. We do not perform repairs at the customer’s location.
Pickup and delivery service is available and is currently charged at $2.50 per round-trip mile from our nearest facility.
Looking for Something Else?
Repair isn't the only way we can help.