Sew Fine

I haven’t sewed since fourth grade home ec class, but some recent alteration delays and dissatisfaction led me to buy an old Singer sewing machine, which I wasn’t sure worked. I brought it to Harry, who was incredibly gentle, informative, efficient, kind and affordable. He patiently showed me how to thread the machine and also where to oil it.
I am so honored that Harry agreed to help me with my machine. His main work is medical sewing machines — he seems really ingenious — so glad he made time for my machine.
Thank you very much, Harry!

Thank you many times to Harry of Sew Fine. I bought a 1980s Bernina Bernette 330 from eBay as I wanted a Bernina. First talk with Harry to set up the Saturday appointment he told me the Bernettes are not made by Bernina. He was right — it is a Riccar. Well Harry knows the inner workings of a sewing machine as he builds them for medical use and he collects very vintage Singers. He gave me an immediate appointment for Saturday and I came in with this machine. First he noticed the broken needle plate and that it was zig zag not straight stitch plate. Then he saw that it was run with a timing belt which is critical and when it doesnt work the cost to replace if it could be is $$$. Then he saw two of the gears were melted. He said that it could for now stitch straight and zig zag and with the right tension. It came with one bobbin and case and one general presser foot. His work would be to oil and clean it for $ 125 and I think we all agreed not to do it. His way to oil is to initially remove old oil with a laquer removing various parts to get into the right places.
Harry builds sewing machines for medical use and he showed us some of his mavchines and also he collects very vintage Singers. He had two other mechanical Berninas there for service in his shop
I was able to get a refund from the eBay seller a very honest lady who didnt know as she didnt use the machine. I brought it to a local thrift store Out of the Closet. It will run for a time for somebody.
Thank you Harry
from Judy

Harry is amazing. Very honest and informative. I brought in my old Singer and he was very straight with me about the repair… it wasn’t worth it. He then gave a tutorial in old sewing machines, suggested what I should buy and what I should pay. I would take a machine to him any day. He’s also an amazing craftsman and medical sewing machine designer. He took me on a tour of his shop… I was blown away. Great guy, great service, brilliant and honest man — hard to find these days.

I am honored to have had Harry fix my humble 70’s Singer. He is clearly a master craftsman and mad genius — his workshop is filled with incredible mechanics that sew heart valves and he prototypes million-​dollar medical sewing machines. If you’re lucky, he may tell you a little about what they’re all about… either way, you’re sure to get the best servicing your sewing machine has ever had. He put on a new fiberglass belt, cleaned out and tightened all the gears, and overall it’s never ran or sounded better, plus he gave a me a quick tutorial on how to best USE my machine! I never have had such a better understanding of «tension» in my life.
Be forewarned, my machine is all mechanical, and he prefers it. He is unlikely to take on an electronic machine the last time we spoke. Also, because he has his important medical work as well, I would be flexible/​not in a hurry on when you need it back.

Sewing Machine Repair Parts & Service
My girlfriend and I took our super cheap singer to Harry to replace a lost foot pedal. We probably could have just as easily ordered a new one online but all the positive reviews got me curious. I felt a bit silly when I showed up with our machine. It was like bringing an 86 Honda Accord to the Ferrari pit garage on race day. Harrys shop is very unconventional and in a residential neighborhood in his garage. He is a very cool, smart talented guy who invents the craziest sewing machines ever. Highly recommend a visit to him. Don’t just show up, be sure to call as he is by appointment.

Wow. Harry is a rare, rare find. Not only did he fix my grandmother’s Singer, but put on a new belt (on the machine :0), got the musty smell out of the case, showed me what all the strange feet do that I have never understood. Clearly, we have a unsung genius in our midst. He designs and builds sewing machines for medical use. Amazing!

I took my very vintage Bernina here too, based on the other review. I was bit put off by the reviews of other places.-my friend had been there and felt she was grossly overcharged for the little they did and their apparent lack of skill.
My trusty Bernina had stopped doing any zigzag stitch. Harry was great. I took it to him – after calling him and arranging to go over there– he gave me an estimate and now it works like a dream. A screw had dropped out and it had dried up from lack of use and something else was stopping it from doing any decorative stitches. He made (! !) a new screw. parts are unavailable. The machines he makes are amazing and he says he works with regular sewing machines on the weekends. I’d recommend him for any make of machine.

my vintage 1970’s bernina sewing machine stopped working recently after years of flawless performance and i was desperate to find an affordable repair shop… fast forward to many phone calls and web searches later when i managed to track down harry, the only true vintage sewing machine repairman left in san francisco! he runs a business building industrial sewing machines from scratch out of a very cool little workshop full of complicated looking machinery, but also does repairs on older machines on the side… and he is affordable! did a great job repairing my machine and even gave me a free lesson on sewing button holes :) i’m so glad i found this guy…