Sewing Machine Cabinet Restoration

We offer a variety of sewing machine cabinet restoration services, including repair, conservation, and refinishing. Please note that the condition of the original material will affect the outcome of any repair or refinish, and repairs may be visible depending on the ability to match the original wood or hardware. Please contact us to discuss your project and cost.

Treadle Base Repair and Refinishing

For treadle bases, we offer:

Basic Maintenance and Conservation includes gentle cleaning, water mark and surface blemish treatment, moisturizing, and oil or wax finish for wood surfaces, and rust treatment and oiling for iron components. Costs start at $550. For treadle bases that have been exposed to water, heat, or other extreme conditions, additional charges may apply for repair or rust removal.
Complete Refinishing of wood parts, including stripping, sanding, staining and waxing. Cost starts at $850.
Leg Iron Refreshing involves restoring the original black finish, or custom paint colors for leg irons, at $250.
Additional services include:
- Wood component repair, such as replacing missing veneer, repair or replacement of broken components like drawers, pitman, and wood carving details. Cost will vary based on the wood and condition, but generally run between $30 – 100.
- Replacement of missing or damaged hardware like knobs, pulls, and hinges. This cost will depend on the replacement hardware.

Stained Wood Cabinet Refinishing

Basic Wood Cabinet Maintenance and Conservation includes gentle cleaning, water mark and surface blemish treatment, moisturizing, and oil or wax finish for wood surfaces. Costs start at $550. For wooden sewing machine cabinets that have been exposed to water, heat, or other extreme conditions, additional charges may apply.
Complete Refinishing of wood cabinet, including stripping, sanding, staining, and waxing. Cost starts at $850.
Additional services include:
- Wood repair, including fixing wobbly or loose components, gluing loose veneer, replacing missing veneer, repairing drawers, and replacing wood carving details
- Replacement of missing or damaged hardware like knobs, pulls, and hinges

Painted Wood Sewing Machine Cabinet Restoration

Basic Painted Wood Cabinet Maintenance includes gentle cleaning and a polish or new wax top coat depending on the finish. Costs start at $150 and will vary based on the chosen top coat. For painted sewing machine cabinets that have been exposed to water, heat, or other extreme conditions, additional charges may apply.
Additional services include:
- Wood repair, including fixing wobbly or loose components, repairing drawers, and replacing wood carving details
- Replacement of missing or damaged hardware like knobs, pulls, and hinges
- Complete refinishing, including stripping, sanding, staining or repainting, and new top coat

Laminate Sewing Machine Cabinet Restoration

Please note: because of the difficulty in matching the original laminate patterns, we can’t offer laminate replacement or patching.

Basic Repair and Cleaning for laminate cabinets includes gentle cleaning and gluing any loose laminate pieces. Cost starts at $100.
Additional services include:
- Functional repair, including fixing wobbly or loose components and repairing drawers and doors
- Replacement of missing or damaged hardware like knobs, pulls, and hinges

Display Bases

For sewing machines that have become separated from their original bases, we can build and finish a wooden display stand, in your choice of gel stain. Prices start at $85.

Sewing Machine Cabinet Restoration FAQ

What’s the difference between conservation and refinishing?

Conservation means that the cabinet is cleaned with a gentle detergent, and minor cosmetic issues like water rings, cloudiness, and small dents are addressed. Depending on the severity of the condition, cosmetic damage may still be visible. The cabinet is then moisturized, waxed (as appropriate), and polished.

Refinishing means that the original finish is stripped with a chemical stripper and abrasion. Depending on the severity of damage, large gouges or damage may still be visible. These can be repaired for an additional fee, and we’re happy to discuss before work begins on your project. Once stripped, a new gel stain is applied in the color of your choice. Bear in mind that the type of wood and age can affect the outcome and appearance of any new color.

Can you refinish laminate cabinets?

We can repair loose laminate with new glue, but we don’t offer to patch laminate or paint it. Because of the age of most vintage laminate cabinets, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to match new laminate to the original pattern, and any patching required would be obvious in the finished project.

If you do want to paint your laminate cabinet yourself, do a quick search for the right oil-based primer to use to cover the laminate to create a strong base layer for the paint to adhere to, and then paint with your desired paint finish.

Can you provide a base for a treadle machine that’s been separated from the original cabinet?

We can provide a wood display base for an additional fee so you can display the machine on a table or shelf. If you can find a replacement treadle base for the machine and get it to us, we can conserve or restore that as well and attach the sewing machine to get it running.

Can you restore or refinish wood furniture besides sewing machine cabinets?

Possibly. Our ability to take on other furniture projects depends on the complexity of the piece and the current backlog of sewing machine-related work. Email hello (at) revivesewingmachine.com to inquire. Pictures are helpful in this instance.