Costs and Services for Treadle Singer Sewing Machines
The cost to service a treadle Singer sewing machine can vary widely based on several factors including location, the condition of the machine, and the specific services provided. Generally, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 for a standard service, which typically includes cleaning, oiling, and adjusting the machine.
Preventive Maintenance
If the machine is functioning properly and the service is preventative maintenance, it shouldn’t cost much. In the United States, depending on your location, you might expect to pay between $50 and $90 for a service. This may include additional services such as polishing the needle plate, addressing needle impacts, adjusting the fitting of bearing elements in the treadle for smooth operation, dressing the hook assembly, or fine-tuning the tension assembly.
Regional Differences and Local Resources
It's important to check with local sewing machine repair shops for quotes and services as prices can differ significantly by region. Any fabric store that sells sewing machines usually has a sewing machine repair person they can refer you to. You could ask for a quote before committing to getting a repair.
There are still quite a few Singer sewing machines out there without the treadle, so they are still being repaired. If you live near Warner Robins, Georgia, USA, try contacting Baggett’s Sewing, he trained in the 1970s to fix sewing machines and still runs a repair shop for vintage machines. He can provide tips on adjusting the machine or sell you a new leather strap to connect the treadle to the handwheel.
Sewing machine service costs depend a lot on where you live. In a big city where store rents are high, you will pay more for a service than if your tech has a low overhead. However, there are a lot of qualified technicians for vintage machines, including treadles.
Learn to Service Sewing Machines
If you are interested, you can learn to service them yourself by attending one of the many TOGA Treadle On Gathering Academy events around the country. These events provide valuable knowledge and skills for servicing vintage sewing machines. You can learn about these events by joining the TreadleOn group at
If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are always professional repair shops to turn to. Be sure to get quotes from multiple sources to ensure you are getting the best service at the best price.