Virtual sewing machine service training for the home sewist
PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS
We started planning our workshops and classes in 2017, but the Covid pandemic has changed the landscape forever. 2020 and beyond has shown us how desperate the sewing community is for both knowledge and skilled technicians - for all machines, not just new ones. Sewing Doc Academy is dedicated to offering a wide range of workshops and experience-building programs ranging from hobby to professional. Expect to see the majority of these workshops available in 2023 and 2024.
Already enrolled in a workshop?
current programs
FREE!
Vintage Sewing Machine Mastery
Our ultimate goal to help those in our VSMM program reach the level of mastery they desire. Mastery of any skill is different for everyone, and it is not a fast or easy process. It is a consistent investment of time to develop a mental library of knowledge, intuition, patience, and creative thinking.
Our hybrid program gives folks new to vintage machines a starting point with our on-demand library, but we also host weekly and monthly sessions to address hurdles specific to each person and machine, dive deep into specific areas of sewing machine issues, and enjoy the company of others with a common interest.
Modern Sewing Machine Maintenance
This program is more than just taking off the needle plate and cleaning around the bobbin - this is permission to SAFELY and properly remove the covers of your modern sewing machine to clean and lubricate, just like service technicians do. This extends the life of your machine and computer components, and when done routinely, your machine should only have to go in for service when something is broken or timing needs to be reset.
Did you know that 90% of "broken" sewing machines are just user errors, and not actually broken? Sewing machines only work when everything is exact and precise, from how you thread it, the thread you use, the bobbin and how it's wound, the needle, type, size, and what thread you are using... the list goes on and one! One minute it's fine, the next you can't make a stitch to save your life.
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This workshop is built for you to self-diagnose your sewing machine, to find the error, correct it, and keep on sewing. It walks you through the EXACT same procedures used in our professional service shop every day to diagnose issues on a customer's machine, correct them, and keep them sewing. This could save you weeks of waiting and money spent on a repair you didn't need.
programs coming in 2023
Sewing Machine Service Mastery
Take your machine maintenance one step further and learn how to adjust timing (needle bar, feed dogs, hook), and other basics in machine service and repair. This is an advanced class and perfect for those looking to machine service as a career. The Machine Maintenance class is a prerequisite.
Business Building
Mastermind
Ready to take your acquired skills to the next level? Offer your cleaning, restoring, and repair services to your friends and neighbors, your community, and your charity! Let us support and guide you through getting started and assist you when machine issues arise.
Serger
Maintenance
Sergers produce more lint and run faster and harder than sewing machines, and need cleaning and lubrication more often. Learn to remove the covers and hand this maintenance on your schedule!
Serger Advanced Adjustments
Take your Serger or coverlock maintenance one step further and learn how to adjust timing and upper and lower looper positioning. We'll teach you about the common issues that arise with sergers and how to correct them. The Serger Maintenance class is a prerequisite.
Other future programs
Viking 6000
Series Repair
Not many repair shops will address specific issues with the Viking 6000 series, and many have been discarded due to lack of knowledge. This class will make a seized machine work again, as we remove the buttonholer and stitch selector mechanisms and get things moving again. This is an Advanced class.
Singer Touch & Sew
Gears & Repair
Those Touch & Sew machines were a brilliant concept, but the gears commonly break and shred. Once replaced, you’ll get another 50+ years of use. This is extremely involved but will save many machines. Also covers the Athena, TouchTronic, Stylist, FashionMate, Merritt and other machines with nylon gears.
CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS & MORE INFO
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private & Group workshops
Yes, we are still offering one-on-one and private group workshops! Due to the pandemic, all classes have been moved to a virtual format indefinitely. But this is great! I promise, you will learn as much or more virtually than you would live in our classroom.
This is the best option if you really want to handle routine maintenance (not major repairs) on your own and don't want to wait for an opening in a class to come available. Private group workshops are great for friends, as it's a very social setting, plenty of time for catching up!
For more information about private or group workshops, please contact us and we'll be in touch!
