Mx. Luna CorbdenJun 4

My son is looking to get into sewing machine repair as a business. There's demand for it up here. But search engines in 2025 are shite.

Does anyone know any good resources? Things like old manuals, online communities, forums, wikis, YouTube channels.

For example, he's got a 1928 Singer that's binding. He seems to have good instincts about what's wrong with it, but he's been unable to find a manual. He's got several others he's tinkering with, and wants understand them and become the go-to person in this area with all the knows.

I've directed him to archive.org but I suspect it might not be organized on this topic and it won't offer much community.

Any resources would be appreciated!

[Tagging him: @bamboy ]

#AskFedi #Solarpunk #RightToRepair #sewing #RepairCafe

Show threadaburtchJun 4
@corbden @bamboy @BlippyTheWonderSlug maybe @ai6yr might know? He knows a lot about old sewing machines…
Show threadAI6YR BenJun 4

@aburtch @corbden @bamboy @BlippyTheWonderSlug @mythlfrythtyg

Here's the resource I found for this, lots of digitized manuals and all. Definitely download them and save them, don't rely on them being there in the future.

There is MOST CERTAINLY a demand for sewing machine repair, although it's a local business. Apparently there was only one shop around here, and they were always backed up (so I hear from the extended female side of the family). I found repairing my machine really was simply keeping it clean and properly lubricated; most issues are gummed up old oil and lack of lubrication. 1928 Singer, it's just lack of oil in all the right places (IMHO).

https://ismacs.net/manuals.html

Sewing Machine Manuals from ISMACS

The International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society's online collection of vintage sewing machine manuals.

International Sewing Machine Collectors Society
Show threadMx. Luna Corbden

@ai6yr @aburtch

You know everything about everything! Yes, this was on the recommendation of my sister, who is a quilter, and the area has a huge sewing scene (lots of Mennonites, Seventh Day, LDS/FLDS). The old go-to guy died recently and sewers now have to travel an hour to get repairs.

Thanks for the link and the tips!

@bamboy @BlippyTheWonderSlug @mythlfrythtyg

Jun 4 at 8:23pmWeb
Show threadAI6YR BenJun 4
@corbden @aburtch @bamboy @BlippyTheWonderSlug @mythlfrythtyg It seems like your son learning this would be a service to the community, for sure, even if only as a sideline, so people don't have to travel so far for repairs.
Show threadWeird SocksJun 4
@ai6yr
Says the dude who has been humble bragging about repairing an old Singer for funnsies.
Show threadAI6YR BenJun 4
@ohmu LOL I try not to brag. I'd fix folks machines locally if I were in a similar situation, but not sure if fixing stuff for people for money is all that fun. (as a favor, sure). Don't think the extended family would trust me to fix their stuff, but that's not a me problem, that's long term suburban Consumer conditioning to Not Fix Stuff Just Buy New Fancy Stuff To Keep Up With The Joneses (probably) LOL.