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 several levels of service depending on the condition of the machine and the desired outcome:
- Basic Treadle Maintenance includes gentle cleaning, and oil or wax finish for wood surfaces, and cleaning and lubrication for iron components. Costs start at $175, and includes a new belt if needed. For treadle bases that have been exposed to water, heat, or other extreme conditions, additional charges may apply for repair or rust removal.
- Treadle Conservation and Reconditioning includes everything in Basic Maintenance. In addition, wood components also get water mark and surface blemish treatment, and rejuvenating stain treatment and touch-up to even up the appearance of the stain. Leg irons will get gold emblems touched-up with fresh metallic gold paint, and leg irons will get reblacked and treated for rust. For later model machines with painted treadle bases (not cast iron), painted surfaces will get touch up paint as needed and fresh clear coat applied. Cost starts at $375.
- Complete Refinishing includes stripping, sanding, staining and waxing the wood components. Leg irons will get gold emblems touched-up with fresh metallic gold paint, and will get reblacked and treated for rust. Cost starts at $850.
- Additional services include:
- Wood 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 – 150.
- 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 includes gentle cleaning, and new oil or wax finish. Cost starts at $125.
- Cabinet Conservation and Reconditioning includes the Basic Wood Cabinet Maintenance plus water mark and surface blemish treatment, and rejuvinating stain treatment and touch-up to even up the appearance of the stain. Costs start at $295. For wooden sewing machine cabinets that have been exposed to water, heat, or other extreme conditions, additional charges may apply to address damage.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.