Former tailor finds new groove fixing sewing machines

James McLean had an affinity for sewing from a tender age, but for past three decades, there has been a significant decline in the garment manufacturing.

However, he has found a new skill as a sewing machine repair man. McLean plies his trade in the Cross Roads area as the sole proprietor of James Sewing Machine Sale and Service. He was deep in concentration, not distracted by the honking horns from public passenger vehicles, as he made final touches on the latest machine he is repairing.

The 67-year-old is a self-styled sewing machine mechanic. A tailor by training through the Alpha Boys' Home, McLean started fixing machines two decades ago when he encountered problems with his own.

"I fixed machines by myself, and I watched persons who had knowledge of fixing theirs and that's where I started," he explained. The father of one said tailoring brings him immeasurable pleasure, not only profitable gain, but satisfaction from creating garments. He noted that since swapping his scissors for screwdrivers and pliers, there has been a steady demand for sewing machine mechanics.

"Persons are working machines more so there is always going to be a need to fix them as they burn out. I don't think I will go out of business soon because sewing will always be a predominant sector in Jamaica," McLean shared. In his shop, scores of machines lay on the ground awaiting his fixing touch. He said it is easy to diagnose the issue as he first checks the heart of the machine, starting at the needle gauge.

"Check the needle's timing, because everything goes off the timing. If the timing is not right, everything is not right. Sometimes it takes me a half a day, maybe two days to fix it and I can fix up to 10 machines in a day, sometimes I do even one," he said. He acquires machines both for repairing and reselling.

McLean told THE STAR that there is a need for more persons to be trained in tailoring and machine repair, as the work is too much for him to complete on his own.

"The trade is dying out as tailors are being replaced by industrial machines. More persons are going for ready-made, while others still like custom pieces, built to fit. I think a course should be offered so that people can train themselves, because it is coming down to dying. People are hardly sewing," he said, pointing to his warehouse filled with broken machines.

He shared that he has plans to expand his business, starting his own manufacturing factory in the future. He already has the name picked, James' Garment Manufacturing. He also intends to expand his business to begin repairing irons, fans and other appliances.