At some point, your sewing machine will need a tune-up. Therefore, it will be advantageous if you are acquainted with what goes into a sewing machine tune-up. This article will take you through the cost of a sewing machine tune-up and everything you need to know before going for the tune-up.
How Much Will the Tune-up Cost?
Generally, a sewing machine tune-up will vary from one shop to another. However, the general cost lies between $75 and $100. These charges do not cover any broken parts or those that need replacement. If you have a computerized embroidery machine, expect to cough upwards of $100 when you go to service the machine.
Why Do a Tune-up?
Your machine is made up of very many moving parts. These parts need to be lubricated to operate optimally.
The continued use of the sewing machine leads to the death of lubrication. After the lubrication dries, the parts will not function well enough. As a result, the well-being of the sewing machine starts to decline.
The new machines that are coming out are using higher tech. These machines have wires as well as a computer circuit board. They will need specialized technicians trained to maintain them.
It is not advisable to go inside high-tech sewing machines if you don’t possess any knowledge about the machine. You may end up frying a circuit board or messing things up further.
A service each year will assist you in detecting any highly worn areas before they eventually become worse. If you service your machine regularly, you will avoid incurring the cost of replacing major parts.
What Should You Expect During a Sewing Machine Service?
A full machine service will not have you popping into the shop for a few minutes and leaving. There is a long list of things technicians will go over as they look at your machine. Below is a list of things a technician will do to your machine.
- Remove the covers to access the main parts
- Clean out the lint, dirt, and old oil
- Take out the stray threads from the hand wheel and take up the lever
- Check the monitor belt for the belt tightness and check excess swear spots
- Examine top tension disks and remove the lint brought by threads of low quality
- Check if the shafts are wobbling
- Check the motor brushes in older machines
- Examine the wear of the bearings
- Check for any play in the areas that drive the feed dogs
- Examine all the gears driving the machine
- Examine the devices in the bobbin case area that drives the hook
- Tighten loose gears
- Examine bobbin winder
- Ensure the feed dog height is accurate
- Ensure feed dogs are upright and not touching the stitch plate
- Oil the machine’s moving parts
- Confirm whether the needle is centering in its plate front to back and side to side
- Look at the needle and the timing of the hook
- Ensure that the height of the presser foot is right and it sits straight on the feed dogs
- Calibrate the tension of the bobbin case
- Look at and clean the bobbin case of the lint build up
- Insert a new universal needle
Finally, the technicians will test the sewing machine. This is after a complete examination, oiling, and adjustments. The test aims to look for balanced tension, smooth sound while running, even needle swing, centered needle position, proper movement of the feed dog, and balance of stitches.
What Do You Take to a Machine Tune-up?
Below is a list of items you need for your tune-up:
- The sewing machine
- Power cord
- Foot pedal control
- Correct bobbin
- The zig-zag standard presser foot
- An embroidery hoop and foot, if it is an embroidery machine
You should note that the well-being of your machine should be your priority every time you sew and not only when you are going for a tune-up. You can take your machine to the technician according to how you feel it runs but ensure it is regular. Once in a year or in two may work just fine.
Can You Perform the Tune-up Yourself?
There are tons of tutorials on servicing your sewing machine by yourself. It would be helpful to take your time to give them a keen look, making sure you grasp the content before opening your machine.
Please do as much maintenance on your sewing machine by yourself. This will ensure reduced trips to service the machine and that things in between are running smoothly.
You will find skipped stitches, broken threads, and uneven stitches in the seam. This is due to the linty threads and fabrics that prevent parts from moving freely. You should also wash your machine constantly.
You might also believe that you do very minimal sewing, thereby thinking there isn’t any mess in the machine. But you will be very wrong! Try to empty the lint from your machine after every project to prevent accumulation.
Where Should You Take Your Machine for a Tune-up?
The best place for your machine is where your machine will not be shipped away to be serviced. When a machine is shipped, the turn-around time is usually longer. However, most stores will have on-site techs to work on your sewing machine.
Ask around to find the best suitable place for your machine tune-up. You can inquire from the local quilting shop and see where they get their machines serviced.
Important Questions on Dropping Your Sewing Machine
First and foremost, ensure the terms are crystal clear when you drop your sewing machine. Some of the questions you should not leave without getting answers to include:
- How long will I wait for my machine?
- Is the service on-site?
- If parts are needed for repair, will I be notified before you order them? – This will save you from a surprise bill with costs you hadn’t budgeted
- How much will the tuneup cost?
- Are there any discounts offered if I bring several machines simultaneously?
Also, ensure you inquire about anything else you will be uncertain about. With that said, you will always get the optimal performance from a constantly cleaned machine that undergoes tune-ups.
