The main places to buy a sewing machine
You can buy a sewing machine at fabric and craft stores, big-box retailers, specialty sewing shops, online marketplaces, and from used-goods sellers. Each option has different prices, selection, and support available after you buy. Where you shop depends on whether you want to see and touch the machine first, how much you want to spend, and whether you need help learning to use it.
The choice also matters because some sellers offer in-store lessons, free threading help, or repair services—things that matter more if you are new to sewing. Other sellers compete mainly on price and ship to your door. Understanding what each type of store offers helps you pick the one that fits your needs and budget.
Key Takeaways
- Fabric and craft stores like Joann and independent sewing shops let you test machines before buying and often include free lessons or setup help.
- Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target carry basic machines at lower prices but offer limited selection and no in-store sewing support.
- Online retailers including Amazon, eBay, and brand websites have the widest selection and often the lowest prices, but you cannot test the machine first.
- Used machines from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist cost less but may need repair or come with no warranty.
- Specialty sewing shops are the most expensive option but provide informed information, repair services, and classes that justify the higher cost for serious sewers.
Fabric and craft stores: Joann and similar chains
Joann Fabrics is the largest fabric chain in the United States and carries sewing machines from brands like Brother, Singer, and Janome in most locations. Prices typically range from $100 to $600 for machines that work for beginners and intermediate sewers. The advantage is that you can hold the machine, test the foot pedal, and see how the needle moves before you pay.
Joann stores often run sales and coupons—check their website or app before you go, because a 20 or 30 percent discount is common. Many locations offer free basic lessons on the machines they sell, and staff can show you how to thread, wind a bobbin, and load fabric. If something breaks in the first year, Joann's return policy usually covers defects, though you should ask about the specific machine's warranty before checkout.
Other regional fabric chains like Hobby Lobby and local independent fabric stores also sell machines, though selection is smaller. Independent shops often have deeper knowledge of repair and maintenance, which can be valuable if you plan to keep a machine for years.
Big-box retailers: Walmart, Target, and Costco
Walmart and Target stock basic sewing machines—usually Singer, Brother, or store brands—in the $80 to $300 range. These machines work for straightforward projects like hemming pants or sewing straight seams. The main draw is price and convenience: you can pick one up while shopping for other things, and return it easily if it does not work.
The trade-off is selection and support. Big-box stores carry only a few models, usually entry-level machines with fewer features. Staff are not trained in sewing and cannot help you learn to use the machine or troubleshoot problems. If you need lessons or repair information, you will have to find it elsewhere.
Costco occasionally stocks sewing machines at competitive prices, but inventory changes and availability depends on your location and the time of year. Check your local Costco's website or call ahead before making a trip.
Online retailers: Amazon, eBay, and brand websites
Online shopping gives you the widest selection and often the lowest prices. Amazon carries hundreds of machines from every major brand, eBay has both new and used options, and brand websites like Brother.com and SingerSewing.com sell directly. Prices can be 10 to 30 percent lower than in-store, and you can read customer reviews before you buy.
The main drawback is that you cannot test the machine before it arrives. If it does not work or feels wrong when you unbox it, returning it takes time and shipping costs money. Some online sellers offer free returns, but others do not—read the return policy carefully before you order.
Shipping can also be slow or expensive for a heavy item like a sewing machine. Check the total cost including shipping before you assume online is cheaper. Some retailers offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, or free shipping to a local pickup point, which can save money and hassle.
Specialty sewing shops: informed help and repair services
Independent sewing machine shops focus entirely on machines and sewing. They carry a deeper range of brands and models than chain stores, including professional-grade machines you will not find at Joann or Walmart. Prices are higher—often $400 to $1,500 or more—but the cost includes informed and long-term support.
Specialty shops offer free lessons, free setup and threading help, and in-house repair services. If your machine breaks in five years, you can bring it in for diagnosis and repair instead of buying a new one. Staff can also recommend a machine based on what you actually plan to sew, rather than selling you the cheapest option.
To find a specialty shop near you, search "sewing machine repair" or "sewing shop" plus your city name. Call ahead to confirm they sell new machines, because some shops focus only on repair. Many specialty shops also host sewing classes and have a community of regular customers, which can be valuable if you want to learn from other sewers.
Used machines: Thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist
Used sewing machines cost 30 to 60 percent less than new ones and often work perfectly if they have been maintained. Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army carry machines for $20 to $100, though selection is random. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you search by brand and price in your area and contact the seller directly.
The risk is that you do not know the machine's history. It may have a worn-out motor, a bent needle bar, or internal damage that is not obvious until you try to use it. Many used machines come with no warranty, so if something breaks the day after you buy it, the cost of repair is yours. Ask the seller if the machine runs, if they have the manual, and whether they will let you test it before you pay.
Estate sales and auctions sometimes have vintage machines in excellent condition, often at lower prices than Facebook Marketplace. Vintage machines from the 1970s and 1980s are often more durable than cheap new machines, though they may lack modern features like automatic needle threading. If you buy used, budget an extra $50 to $150 for a professional cleaning and tune-up at a repair shop, which can add years to the machine's life.
What to compare when you are deciding where to buy
Price is one factor, but not the only one. A machine that costs $50 more at a specialty shop but includes free lessons and repair services may be a better deal than a cheaper machine from an online seller with no support. Consider how much help you think you will need, how long you plan to keep the machine, and whether you have a repair shop nearby if something breaks.
Return policy matters too. Joann and big-box stores let you return machines within 30 days if you change your mind. Online sellers vary—some offer 30-day returns, others do not. Used machines are almost never returnable. If you are not sure whether sewing is for you, buying from a store with a generous return policy reduces the risk.
Warranty length is another difference. New machines usually come with a one-year manufacturer's warranty that covers defects. Some retailers extend the warranty for an extra fee. Used machines rarely have any warranty. If durability matters to you, a new machine with a warranty is worth more than a used machine at half the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a new machine or a used one?
Buy new if you are just starting out, because you get a warranty and can return it if you do not like it. Used machines are cheaper and often durable, but you cannot test them first and repair costs are your responsibility. If you find a well-maintained used machine from someone who can show you it works, it can be a good deal.
What is the difference between buying at Joann and buying online?
Joann lets you see and test the machine, includes free lessons at many locations, and has a straightforward return policy. Online is cheaper and has more models to choose from, but you cannot test it first and returns take time. If price is your main concern, online wins. If you want support learning to sew, Joann is better.
Do I need to go to a specialty sewing shop?
No, if you want a basic machine for straightforward projects and do not mind learning from YouTube videos. Yes, if you plan to sew regularly, want informed information on which machine fits your needs, or want access to repair services and classes. Specialty shops cost more upfront but save money over time if you keep your machine for years.
Can I return a sewing machine if I do not like it?
Most new machines sold at Joann, Walmart, Target, and other retailers can be returned within 30 days if they are unused or defective. Online sellers have different policies—check before you order. Used machines sold on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are almost never returnable, so inspect them carefully before you pay.
What should I ask a seller before buying a used machine?
Ask if it runs, if the needle moves smoothly, if all the feet and attachments are included, and if they have the manual. Ask why they are selling it and how often they used it. Request to test it before you pay. If the seller seems evasive or will not let you test it, look for a different machine.