Is 2024 your year to finally get started quilting, but you don’t have a sewing machine? Let me help you find your way through the maze of sewing machines which I know can be overwhelming. This starts by purchasing from the right place.

How to Find the Right Sewing Machine Dealer for You

My first piece of advice in buying a sewing machine is to shop from a sewing machine dealer. They are skilled in sewing machines and are not intimidating people, like many believe.

Start off by doing a simple Google search for “sewing machine dealers near me.” If you have nearby dealers, please pay them a visit. They can help you make the best choice for you based on your budget and the features you need. Make sure to let them know you will be using your machine for quilting.

If you do your Google search and find there are no dealers nearby, you can choose to drive further, or purchase your machine online. PLEASE do not buy a sewing machine from Amazon or a big box store. If purchasing online is your only choice, please purchase from an online sewing machine dealer instead.

Trust your Gut

My biggest piece of advice is to trust your gut. If you get a bad vibe from a dealer, please leave and purchase from someone else. If they are trying to push the sale irregardless of what you are saying, please leave.

There isn’t a lot of margin in the sewing machine business, and this is why sometimes dealers push for the sale. Some dealers are more willing than others to undercut the small profit they make on machines.

Can you Haggle?

If you have a stronger personality and haggling is part of your nature, you can try to haggle the price with a dealer. However, remember, there isn’t much margin in this business. As a result, the dealer you like the most may not offer the lowest price.

Price Shopping

I realize there are people in this life that are more frugal than others. Paying MSRP is not in their vocabulary. I also realize that we want to feel like we didn’t get ripped off.

However, the biggest thing to consider when purchasing a machine, way past the price, is the support you will receive after your purchase. Will the dealer take the time to teach you how to use your new machine? There is a learning curve to every machine and learning from a dealer will lessen the time for you to become comfortable with your new machine, particularly if you are new to sewing.

Do they offer in house repairs or do they ship your machine out to be repaired by another technician, therefore lengthening the amount of time you will be without your machine? Do they offer service at all?

Price is just one part of the equation you need to consider when purchasing a sewing machine. Price shopping may end up with paying a lower price, but there is no help when something goes wrong.

Final Thoughts

As stated above, please trust your gut. If you’re getting bad vibes before you even buy a machine, it probably won’t get better once you do.

When I was moving to the Bernina brand I visited multiple dealers. One dealer offered me $400 off a floor model which was clearly well used. In one case, two different sales people were offering me different things and one of them was very pushy. One dealer refused to take my year old Janome as a trade-in.

The dealer I ended up choosing didn’t pressure me, took my Janome as a trade-in, taught me how to use my Bernina and has been there for me ever since. I went on to purchase my smaller Bernina I use for classes, and my Bernina long arm from him because he offers me great value for my money and amazing service.

In the end, you’re not just buying a sewing machine, you’re buying a relationship.

A Freebie for You

Before I end for today, I 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 of tools or notions 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,