Sewing Machine Tune-Up
Clean, oil, re-time, set the tension, sew on it.
A tune-up is the least expensive service we do and it prevents most of the expensive ones. Lint holds moisture and grit against the bearings, old oil turns to varnish, and timing drifts a little at a time until the stitch goes bad. If your machine gets regular use, once a year keeps it sewing the way it did when it was new.
What the service includes
- Machine opened up and cleaned out, including under the needle plate and in the hook race
- Correct sewing machine oil applied where the manufacturer calls for it
- Needle and hook timing verified and reset if it has drifted
- Upper and bobbin tension balanced and proven on fabric
- Feed dogs, presser foot, needle plate and bobbin case checked for wear
- Bobbin winder, reverse, stitch selector and handwheel clutch tested
- Belts, motor and foot control checked, plus wiring safety
- Test sew on light and heavy fabric, and a fresh needle installed
Problems we fix every week
If it uses a needle and thread to sew, we repair it. Home machines, industrial machines, embroidery machines, sergers, quilting machines and antiques.
The stitch is just not as nice as it used to be
It runs louder than it did last year
Lint is packed under the needle plate
It has never been serviced since I bought it
It slows down after a few minutes of sewing
Thread nests once in a while for no reason I can find
I am starting a big project and want it checked first
The machine feels stiff and the oil smells old
The fabric drags instead of feeding smoothly
I bought it used and I do not know its history
How a repair works
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Drop it off
Bring the machine, the foot control and the power cord to the Clearwater shop, Monday through Friday. No appointment is needed for a tune-up.
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Clean, oil, time, tension
The four things that account for most sewing problems, done in order, with the covers off so nothing is missed.
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If we find more, you hear it first
A tune-up sometimes uncovers a worn hook or a bad bobbin case. We call you with a free estimate before doing anything past the tune-up.
Common questions
How often should a machine be serviced?
About once a year for regular home use, and more often for a machine that quilts a lot, sews heavy fabric, or runs in a shop. Machines stored in a garage or a humid space need it sooner.
Is a tune-up worth it if the machine sews fine?
Yes, that is the best time for it. Cleaning and oiling now costs far less than a worn hook and a re-time later. Call (727) 321-9344 for a free estimate.
Can I just oil it myself?
You can, and a drop in the right place helps. The trouble is that most oiling points are under the covers, the wrong oil gums up, and household oil can do real damage. We are glad to show you the two or three spots you can safely reach.
Do you tune up sergers and computerized machines too?
Yes. Sergers need lint cleared from the tension units and looper area. Computerized machines still need cleaning, oil and timing, because the computer is driving a mechanical machine.
What can I do between services?
Brush the lint out under the needle plate, change the needle after every big project, use good thread, and cover the machine when it is not in use. That handles most of what we see.
Related repair services
Home Sewing Machine Repair
Bring your machine in and a technician will look at it for free.
Serger and Overlock Repair
Knives, loopers, tension and differential feed set right.
Scissor and Shear Sharpening
Fabric shears, pinking shears, rotary blades and thread snips.
Computerized Sewing Machine Repair
Error codes, screens, motors and boards, diagnosed honestly.
Is your machine giving you trouble?
Call and tell us what it is doing. The estimate is free and you do not need the model number.