Sewing Machines in Lebanon: Domestic, Industrial, and Repair Shops

Lebanon imports sewing machines mostly from Japan (Juki, Brother), China (Jack, Typical), and Italy. Bourj Hammoud is the historic sewing-machine district — many shops have been there for three generations and still service machines older than the shop owners.

Domestic Machines

• Mechanical (Singer Heavy Duty, Brother basic): $150-300 — repairs, hems, school uniforms.
• Computerized (Brother, Janome): $400-900 — embroidery patterns, buttonholes, quilting.
• Embroidery only (Brother PE): $700-1,500 — for boutique monograms.

Industrial Machines

• Single-needle lockstitch (Juki DDL-8700): $700-1,200 — daily workhorse.
• Overlock 4-thread (Juki MO-6714): $900-1,500 — finishes seams.
• Coverstitch: $800-1,400 — t-shirt hems.
• Bartack/buttonhole: programmable, $2,000+.

Buying Tips

• Always test on the fabric you actually use — denim, satin, jersey behave differently.
• Used industrial Juki from a workshop closing — half the price, usually solid.
• Confirm spare-parts availability (needles, bobbins, feet).
• Voltage: 220V industrial 1HP motors need a dedicated breaker.

Repair Network

• Bourj Hammoud and Sin el Fil have decades-old technicians who repair anything.
• Tripoli and Saida have local sewing-machine shops with field service.
• Average tune-up: $25-50 (clean, oil, time the hook).