I know there can be a time in your life that you might want to gift a sewing machine to someone. Perhaps your mom, grandma or even a friend needs a first or new machine. Although purchasing a machine for someone else can be daunting, let’s look at what you need to know. For the purpose of this article, the sewing machines I am referring to are for quilting.

What to Consider When Buying a Sewing Machine for Someone Else

You can use any sewing machine for quilting. Yes, there are Quilter’s Edition machines on the market, however, they are often just regular machines that have been packaged with a few quilting tools or add-ons.

The most important sewing machine add-on for quilting is a quarter inch presser foot. All the rest is fluff.

Be the Detective

Talk to your person and try to find out what type of machine they are looking for without coming straight out and asking them. There are ways to be sneaky and try to get the information. I know when I was looking for a machine, there were a couple of candidates that checked off all the boxes for me. Your person may have bookmarked a few sites. I am not suggesting that you break into someone’s computer.

Find a Dealer

Google “sewing machine dealers near me.” Yes, I am serious. Please do not purchase a sewing machine on Amazon or at a Big Box Store.

Amazon cannot help your person learn how to use their machine, and there is a learning curve with every machine. Amazon also cannot fix the machine when it breaks. Big Box Stores and Amazon carry bottom of the line machines. These machines are not meant to be fixed because they are full of plastic gears. When they break, and they will, they are as good as a doorstop or will end up going to landfill. Do you want to be more of a burden on Mother Earth?

If you Google sewing machine dealers near you and find none, please buy from an online dealer instead. Nova Sewing in Canada and Sewing Machines Plus in the U.S. are great options.

Return Policy

If you have decided to make a purchase, ask the store about their return policy. Will they take machines back? If they will, does the box have to be unopened and the machine still in the shrink wrap. Can you open it and try it, etc. Better to be safe than sorry.

Buy a Gift Card

Another thing to consider would be the purchase of a gift card instead. However, make sure you review the policy. Some gift cards expire and have other policies.

My Final Thoughts

Buying a sewing machine for someone else is a challenge. I do not want you to be the person whose loved one hates the machine that you bought, and you don’t have a return option. Take your time and try to find out what your person is looking for. Make sure you check the dealer’s return policies and/or gift card policies.

A Freebie for You

Before I end for today, I also have a Free Guide that will help you as you get started quilting, or even if you have been quilting for a while.

Click here to grab The Top 5 Tools Every Beginner Quilter Needs. You don’t need a lot to get started quilting and you definitely don’t need a $2,000+ sewing machine. So grab your freebie and let’s get quilting.

I hope you have found this helpful. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me here.

For more helpful quilting tips and tricks, make sure you follow me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Until Next Time,