Reasonable Sewing Machines

machine was broken they fixed it quickly, good work

I found this place right next to my house and decided to get y scissors sharpened since it was right around the corner. I walked in width two dull pairs of scissors dan I walked out with three sharp ones. He kindly gave me another pair just cause he liked me. Benny is a real gem. We chatted for a bit just about sewing and life. I can’t wait to bring my machines in to get tuned up and maybe even buy a new machine!

I couldn’t get an answer on the phone number listed here. I talked to Benny about it and hopefully it’s fixed by now… I’m really glad I ended up just walking into the storefront. It was quite an experience.

Benny is an old school professional workman and works out of a small store-​front. He is not YOUR old-​school (early 90s through 00s) but the real old school. He can figure out the problem with your machine based on his experience and not the funny sounds we make trying to describe the problem.
I dropped off a over-​30 year old Kenmore sewing machine on a Friday at 6p. It was ready for pickup 24 hours later. Sixty-​six dollars total for the repair, parts and service on the entire machine. The Kenmore is now good as new.
Not expensive at all.

So, my sewing machine stopped sewing and despite all my research on the internet, I couldn’t get the thing to work. So I picked this place because it was close and seemed decent from the reviews on here.
I popped in on a Saturday. First off, be aware that the place is old school, and so is the owner, Benny. He’s got random sewing machines and parts scattered about and it smells like smoke (but I don’t mind – my mom smokes, I get it). He greets me and tells me to bring the machine to the back for him because he has a bad back. Not a problem, because I need my baby fixed and I’m hoping this gentleman is the Sewing Machine Whisperer.
So, I explained the situation and then we exchanged some small talk. He’s from Syria, and recommended I check out what I think is this (
) from his directions. Well, cool!
A few days later he calls and says it’s ready. I asked what’s wrong with it, and he only says «many, many, things» and reminds me he’s cash only. I stop in to grab it shortly thereafter and he’s in the back at his desk and invites me to sit down. He offers me sesame cookies in the shape of an S (which, he tells me, are just called «S-​cookies») and fresh orange juice, which I accept, and he begins to explain to me that the root of all the problems with my machine is that it is cheap and plastic. He knows I have been using heavy materials on it and tells me that’s not what this particular machine is supposed to sew. He has me pull up the machine to his desk and shows me a bit of fabric with a bunch of stitches on it to prove that it works now. Yay!
«So, what’s a better machine, then, for heavy materials?» I ask. And he tells me if I don’t want to go get a commercial machine, go to garage sales and look for an all-​metal Singer. SINGER. METAL.
Got it.
Thanks Benny! And also for the snacks!

After reading the reviews, I decided to take my sewing machine here to be repaired. I really, really want to give this place a chance, it seemed like the old kind of shop with people who actually know what they’re doing.
Except not. I took in my machine for a bobbin problem. The owner lent me a machine to use while he worked on mine, awesome. I took my machine home, and waited for his call.
Week and a half later, I call him. He says, «Come get it.» I come, and find my machine is still sitting there exactly as I left it. He tells me that he can’t work on it, and he’ll trade me the (low end, basic model) he lent me for my broken machine (for parts.) Seriously? I took my machine back and took it to the Singer dealer. $ 50 later, they fixed it.

My sewing machine started getting the top thread tangled in the bottom bobbin in the middle of a project, so I brought it over to Reasonable. Since I’d spoken to someone on the phone before I drove over, I was a little confused that the door was locked and the doorbell broken, but a few minutes later someone came to the door.
Benny told me he would take a look at my machine and give me a call when he knew what needed to be done. I was surprised that about an hour after I dropped it off, I got a call saying it was ready!
I drove back over, and he had a swatch of fabric on which he had already tested out every stitch that my machine can do. I tested it out myself, and while I proceeded with caution with lingering fear that the threads would tangle, Benny animatedly urged me to sew as fast as the machine could go, and it worked beautifully. This was back in May I think, and my machine is still in perfect condition. I will definitely go back if anything goes wrong on my machine in the future.

I drive past this place all the time, and never needed my machine fixed until now… bummer. I called he told me to bring it in and he would check it out.
He fixed my machine in a jiffy, seriously in about 45 min. Runs like new now! And the guy who owns the place is super nice! I would def. recommend this place!

I have been a designer and seamstress in Chicago for over 25 years, and I have used pretty much every repair service in town, and Benny is by far the most helpful, skilled, trustworthy, and reasonably-​priced repair guy I have ever met. Goldblatt’s wanted over $ 200 to repair my favorite Bernina (Linda Z’s price was even higher) — Benny made me a new part from a few pieces he had laying around, and charged me $ 25. He gave me a fantastic deal on a reconditioned industrial zig-​zag, delivered and set it up for free, and, when I broke the thread guide, he scavenged me a new one, replaced it, and didn’t charge me anything. I highly recommend Reasonable for repairs or purchases.
Benny’s shop now shares space with a dry-​cleaners and has been remodeled (doesn’t look like the photo anymore) but he’s still there! Be sure to call ahead as well, as his hours vary.

Just ok sewing machine repair. $ 75 and less than 24 hours to fix the broken feeder dogs on cheap little singer, but it works now. The owner was nice enough and very responsive. The cigarette smell did linger on my machine for about a day, but that doesn’t bother me.
Also it’s right across the street from Kuma’s. mmm.

The Great Halloween Costume Escapade of 2009 continues! Drama! Intrigue! Broken sewing machines! Tears! Anger! The throwing of bobbins!
Crap, I need a sewing machine or perish. What to do? Walk it on over to Reasonable Sewing Machines, tell Benny my tale of woe and am then promptly shown a newer model Singer in my price range. After a quick tutorial on threading this particular machine and the exchange of money and compliments, as well as a promise to return if only to just say hi, I skipped home, machine in hand.
I’ve found a new machine, a new repairman and a new friendly face in the neighborhood in under 30 minutes. Cash only though. The man is no sucker.

Truth in advertising — that appeals to me! And Reasonable Sewing Machines does just that.
It’s not Super Sewing Machines, it’s Reasonable Sewing Machines — sewing machines that are used, reconditioned, repaired and sold at a reasonable price.
Reasonable Sewing Machines has a reasonable selection of table-​top machines, sergers, and industrial machines and they also provide scissor sharpening services at — you guessed it — a reasonable price!
Ahhhh, the Age of Reason… I guess there’s still some evidence it still exists!