Vintage sewing machine repair & restoration training
Our online classes teach you how to repair, service, and restore antique sewing machines.
No more pricey trips to the repair shops, or relying on risky YouTube videos.
Want to bring your vintage sewing machine back to life—without paying hundreds for restoration or repair?
You’ve got a vintage machine with history — maybe it was passed down through generations, or rescued from a yard sale with big hopes.
Either way, it deserves a second life.
But right now, it’s collecting dust.
You’re not sure what’s missing. Or if it even works.
And every time you open it up, you feel both excitement… and panic.
You’ve searched Google and YouTube, only to find conflicting advice and unclear steps.
They say it’s too risky to try yourself. That you need special tools or years of training.
And let’s be honest — even if you could find a pro, vintage sewing machine repairs are pricey, unreliable, and booked out for months.
You just want to do it yourself — safely and confidently.
All you need is someone to walk you through it, step by step.
But here’s the truth:
Vintage machines were built to last — they just need the right care and a bit of know-how to get running like new.
With clear guidance, you can learn to repair vintage sewing machines.
What if you could:
✓ Clean out decades of grime and old grease without damaging delicate parts
✓ Diagnose and correct common problems like stiffness, sluggish motors, and skipped stitches
✓ Rewire vintage motors, replace cords and foot pedals, and restore safe function
✓ Learn pro-level restoration skills, even if you’ve never turned a screwdriver before
And maybe even go beyond your own machine, helping others or turning your skills into a side business.
That’s exactly what you’ll learn inside:
Vintage Sewing Machine Mastery
- Clear instruction on cleaning, oiling, repairing, and rewiring vintage machines
- A library of on-demand lessons and live clinics you can return to anytime
- A vibrant community of vintage machine lovers who’ll cheer you on at every step
No gatekeeping. No fluff. Just expert instruction, lifetime access, and a passionate community that geeks out on vintage machines just as much as you do.
Start learning today
Meet Your Guides
With over 15 years of experience as a certified technician and former repair shop owner, Andi Barney has worked on thousands of machines and earned certifications from Viking, Brother, and Janome.
Now she teaches what others won’t: how to confidently care for your own sewing machine —without the guesswork, gatekeeping, or weeks-long wait at the shop.
“We teach you exactly what we do in our professional shop. No fluff. No guesswork.”
Paul Barney is our electrical, motor, restoration, and customer service specialist. He teaches motor service and rewiring along with many other in-depth skills.
What you'll learn
Practical training designed to give you real, usable skills for vintage sewing machine repair and restoration. You’ll get lifetime access to all lessons and expert help whenever you're stuck.
Tools & workspace
-
The essential tools, lubricants, and supplies you actually need (plus what to avoid)
-
Setting up a safe and functional work area for restoration
-
How to test machines safely and evaluate condition before beginning work
Deep cleaning & restoration
-
How to un-seize frozen mechanisms and get machines moving again
-
Safe degreasing techniques to clean internal components without damage
-
Removing rust, restoring hardware, and polishing vintage finishes
-
Exterior care: decals, chrome, handwheels, and more
Motor & wiring service
-
How to service, clean, and test vintage sewing machine motors
-
Full rewiring of cords, plugs, and foot pedals
-
Diagnosing electrical issues without special meters or guesswork
-
When to replace vs. repair electrical components
Resolve common issues
-
How to balance tension and adjust settings for reliable stitches
-
Dealing with thread nests, skipped stitches, and feed issues
-
Evaluating wear on gears, belts, and tension assemblies
-
Assessing if a machine is “worth fixing”
Vintage brands & models
-
Work confidently on Singer, Kenmore, Necchi, White, Pfaff, and more
-
Understanding differences between gear-driven, belt-driven, and direct drive machines
-
How to approach lesser-known or rare brands without manuals
We teach you how to repair and restore nearly all vintage and antique domestic home sewing machines.
What’s excluded?
Modern plastic-shell machines (see our learn modern sewing machine maintenance course instead)
Specialty machines including: sergers, overlockers, embroidery machines, blind hemmers, straight-stitch machines
Computerized or electronic board-based repairs
Gear replacement or similar complex internal repairs
What about advanced adjustments like timing?
Timing and advanced internal adjustments are not included inside the base program are taught inside our Hook Timing expansion course.
See pricing bundles below.
Can I get a refund if my machine isn't covered?
Due to the digital nature of our programs, sales are final. If you're unsure about your machine, please contact us before purchasing.
How it works
You’ll learn how to clean, service, and maintain your sewing machine (or many machines) at your pace, with real experts and a supportive community always there when you need them.
Choose your learning path
Find the right path for your sewing machines, your goals, and your curiosity.
Enroll & learn at your pace
Access expert-led videos, guides, and a supportive student community.
Get help for every machine
Whether you have 1 machine or 12, get expert support for life.
The math is simple
The average service appointment costs $125.
For less than the cost of 2 appointments, you can learn to restore and service every machine you own — for life.
Not sure where to start?
Join our next Open House
A behind-the-scenes event hosted by sewing machine repair expert Andi Barney, where she’ll walk you through our most popular programs, answer your questions, and show you how to get started.
Register for freeYou're not doing this alone
When you join a Sewing Doc program, you also join a thriving private community where students and pros help each other succeed — no matter where you’re starting.
Mary Jo S.
“I've serviced 13 machines (so far) and gained great confidence thanks to Sewing Doc Academy! I love cleaning up vintage machines and having the reassurance of expert help just a message away.”
Sally P. B.
“I bought a Singer 401a like the one I learned to sew on, but it barely worked. After starting the courses and diving in, I was able to get running like a champ! 'm restoring vintage machines for others now too.”
Kathy C.
“Just started the classes and excited about my first restore. Picked up a seized machine at Salvation Army, restored it, and now it runs beautifully.”
FAQs
What sewing machines does this course cover?
Does this course teach sewing machine repair?
How do the live events work?
Who is this course for? Is it beginner friendly?
I’m not very experienced with tools. Is this course beginner-friendly?
Can I use this training to start a business or service other people’s machines?
How does the training work?
How many machines can I service with this?
What if I get stuck or have questions?
What’s your refund policy?
Real stories. Real results.
Our students aren’t just learning—they’re fixing machines, building businesses, and keeping sewing alive. Watch Kate and Spike share their journeys.
Get started today
Vintage Sewing Machine Mastery + Hook timing
$498
1 time fee or 2 payments of $255
Enroll now Pay 2x $255Explore our other courses
Learn modern machine maintenance
Troubleshoot like a pro
Business school & certification
Get started with vintage machines
Have questions? We're happy to help.
Ask about machine compatibility, course content, or anything else on your mind. Use this form and we'll help you figure out the best next step.
