It’s no secret that if you take the time to compare prices you’ll save money but these slick tips will show you how to find the best sewing machine deals anywhere whether you are a beginner looking for the basics or an experienced sewer after something more advanced.
The variance in price online for a single model can be as much as 30%. On sewing machines for beginners under $200 that 30% equates to a potential savings of $60!
Following are six shopping tips to help you find the best possible deal and keep as much money in YOUR pocket as possible.
(You’re going to want that money for fabric and thread, right?!)
I’m using the Brother CS6000i 60 Stitch Computerized Free-Arm sewing machine as an example throughout most of this article mostly because it’s the top selling sewing machine on Amazon and widely popular.
Multiple Listings for the Same Sewing Machine
Best Sewing Machine Deals Tip #1:
Type only the model number in the Amazon search bar to look for all listings and price options.
Millions of shoppers use Amazon to buy online because of their strong reputation for low pricing, free shipping on many orders, and broad product line. What you might not realize, however, is that some products have multiple listings on Amazon and those listings may have different prices and offers.
Why would there be multiple listings? Because other retailers besides Amazon use the Amazon platform to sell their merchandise. If two or more licensed sewing machine retailers are using Amazon to sell the same machine, there will be multiple listings. You want to make sure that if this is the case, you are finding the listing that has the lowest price and best offer.
The screen shot below was taken the date this post was written and shows two listings for the Brother CS6000i Computerized Sewing Machine – each with slightly different pricing details:
As you can see:
- Retail price is different by 52 cents (I realize this isn’t significant but keep reading for the more important details).
- Used models that can be purchased differ in price by $26.00.
- One listing notes Free Shipping and the other does not. The one without the shipping offer is a listing from an external website that uses Amazon to help list their products online
(To see what these listings look like today, click on this link to mirror my search results: Brother CS6000i Search Results)
Had I just typed in a search for sewing machines and used the filters on their site to find the Brother CS6000i, I might have missed these multiple listings and alternate deals.
Additional Sewing Machine Buying Options on Amazon
Best Sewing Machine Deals Tip #2:
Don’t hesitate to read through used and refurbished sewing machine listings.
Obviously, if I’m shopping for the Brother CS6000i sewing machine, I’m going to bring up the listing that has the lowest price and comes with free shipping. Here’s what I see:
Note the used and refurbished options? Those refurbished Brother CS6000i sewing machines didn’t show up in the original listing results. (Although it may have since changed, here’s the link to get to the same listing: Brother CS6000i with Used and Refurbished Buying Options)
Some people may skip the Used listings because they’re not interested in used sewing machines, however, never skip over options to buy for less because look what I found:
One of those used Brother CS6000i sewing machines is actually a warehouse deal. It is factory sealed but has blemishes. Now, I don’t know exactly what those blemishes might be but the condition is listed as being Very Good, the price is $15.48 cheaper than buying a new one through the regular listing AND it still comes with free shipping. That’s about 10% off of the lowest priced listing! If the sewing machine isn’t a gift and you’re looking to save money on a beginner sewing machine, that’s not a bad deal at all.
Compare Popular Online Shopping Sites for Beginner Sewing Machines
Best Sewing Machine Deals Tip #3:
Compare Amazon and Walmart prices.
Walmart and Target are two other great sources for sewing machines for beginners. They carry a wide selection of popular Singer and Brother sewing machines online and in their retail stores. Walmart, in particular, is widely known for beating almost any other store for price. Here’s their listing for the Brother CS6000i Free-Arm sewing machine (click the image to visit the store listing directly).
They beat Amazon by a couple of dollars on this machine. Click the image above to check the price and for online or in-store availability.
Target, on the other hand, currently has the Brother CS6000i listed for $199.99!!!
Go Directly to the Source
Best Sewing Machine Deals Tip #4:
If the Amazon listing is an external website, visit the external website directly to compare sewing machine prices.
Every now and then, an online retailer will offer a better price than Amazon like this listing for the Brother HS2000 Computerized sewing machine. The current price on Amazon is $199.99 and no free shipping offer is shown:
Notice the seller name? If you go through their online store directly at AllBrands.com, the same machine is currently listed for $169.99 with free shipping – a savings of $30.00 not including the savings on shipping expense.
Finding Refurbished Machines
Best Sewing Machine Deals Tip #5:
Search by a shorter version of the sewing machine model number.
Buying online is easier if you are familiar with the website and trust its reputation. Overstock is a popular shopping website and a great source for refurbished machines. Going back to the Brother CS6000i Computerized sewing machine example, follow this link: Overstock.com and type in “Brother CS6000i” to check for new and refurbished prices. (Yup! Another screen shot!)
A message pops up saying there are no results for the Brother CS6000i. Try again with just a portion of the model number. I used “Brother 6000” and found one refurbished listing I would have missed:
Negotiating a Deal with Sewing Machine Retail Stores
Tip #6:
Take proof of the lowest online price you find to your local sewing machine store and negotiate for a better deal.
If you would prefer to buy your sewing machine at a retail store, attempt to negotiate with the store by bringing in a print out of the lowest price you find online. Keep in mind, retail stores are not likely to match a refurbished price (although it wouldn’t hurt to bring in a copy of that price, either) so take a screen shot of the lowest online price you find, visit your local sewing machine store and see if they’re willing to meet (or beat) the online price.
Depending on how hungry they are for a sale, you may find that’s the best deal. Call ahead to make sure they have the model you want in stock before you make the trip, though.
In just this example, we’ve found the Brother CS6000i Computerized sewing machine ranging in price online from $199.99 at Target to a slightly blemished model on Amazon at $143.99 – a difference of 28%. A new, in the box model at Walmart was a great deal at only $157.54 for a savings of 21%.
That’s a big discount even for a beginner sewing machine but when you start looking at machines that cost more than $500, there’s no reason not to take the time to comparison shop. It’s like writing yourself a big, fat check.
There you have it – six top tips for finding the best bargains. Actually, for finding a great price on just about ANYTHING you want to buy.
I am looking for a sewing machine to do simple alterations such as taking my husband’s shirts in and shortening the hem on jeans and pants. What 3-5 machines would you recommend?
Thank you.
Jo – I’d take a look at the following:
Brother XL2600i
Brother CS6000i
Brother CE5500PRW
Brother LX3125
Singer Curvy 8763
If you click on any of the machine names it will take you to my review of that machine. These are all well rated machines capable of handling simple alterations. All of them are also under $200 and can handle denim (just make sure to buy the right denim needles for the machine).
All but one has a drop-in bobbin, too, which is the easiest to use, in my opinion.
Let me know if you need more information or have any questions.
Sincerely,
Erin
Thank you so much for the selections.
I’m trying decide between the CS600i or the LX3125.
I don’t know if the $100 difference is worth it for what I am planning to use it for primarily.
But I’m worried that the 3125 will jam-up or have problems more often.
What do you think?
Also, could you number your choices of these 5?
Thanks again.
Jo – I wouldn’t worry too much about thread jams with the LX3125 over the CS6000i. The LX3125 is actually on my top 5 list of machines under $100. It has solid reviews and ratings from lots of other users.
The two machines are different enough that choosing between them probably does come down, as you mention, to the type of sewing you’re going to use it for. The CS6000i can do a lot of different things and it comes with lots of stitches and extra accessories as a result. If you’re only going to do some light sewing and mending, the LX3125 would certainly suffice. If, however, you’re going to get into some quilting or you want to make lots of clothes, I’d go for the additional functionality.
Here’s how I’d rank those 5 sewing machines:
Brother CS6000i
Brother XL2600i
Brother CE5500PRW
Brother LX3125
Singer Curvy 8763
I rank the CS6000i #1 because of the exceptional value for the price. It just has so many options thrown in and when you consider the value of those items purchased separately, it’s hard to find a better deal.
#2 for me would the XL2600i – even over the LX3125 – because it has even higher ratings and drop-in bobbin instead of the front-loading bobbin. (My dislike for front-loading bobbins is a personal thing that goes back to my childhood. 😉 )
The CE5500PRW comes in at #3 because it has some great functionality for making clothes and is the lowest priced Project Runway sewing machine you can find.
Then the LX3125 and finally the Curvy 8763.
For the sewing you outlined, I’d look at the XL2600i and the LX3125 and then the CS6000i only if you think you’d do more kinds of sewing down the road.
Glad to see you back again, btw! Happy New Year!
Erin
Erin,
Happy New Year to you also
Well, I’ll be getting the XL2600i then. Now to find out where I can get the best price.
Thanks again for your help.
Have a positive and productive day.
Jo
Jo – Good choice. 😉 So far, the best price appears to be Amazon or Walmart. The two often compete against each other but at the moment they have the same price.
Have fun!
Erin
I’m getting ready to order the XL2600i. What other items should I order at the same time? Extra needles, different color spools of thread, pins, etc?
If I don’t order these from the same company where I buy the machine, where is the best place to get the above items?
Again this will be for “taking in” shirts so they’re not so baggy and shortening the hem on jeans and pants and other minor repairs/alterations.
Thank you.
Jo
Jo – Extra bobbins are handy and you can get a pack of 10 for just a few dollars. Make sure you have good fabric scissors on hand, a measuring tape, maybe some tailor’s chalk or wash-away fabric marker, certainly pins, a pin cushion, and an assortment of thread. To hem jeans you’ll want a supply of size 90/14 or 100/16 needles and 30-50wt cotton thread. If you don’t buy these at the store you get them from check your local paper for a sale at a Joann’s near you or check out the Best Sewing Notions on Amazon. Time after time, they have the best prices unless you catch a deal at Joann’s. 😉
(You’ve reminded me I have a pile of my own “fixes” to get to that I wanted done before Spring Break which is now rushing at me…!!) 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin,
I am looking at getting the Brother CS6000i that you recommended, but I have a question. Amazon has it for $162.54 with Free Shipping with Prime (which I have). BUT Amazon Warehouse Deals has it for $132.99 with Free Shipping, and the condition says USED – MINT and it says “Item may come repackaged, packaging may show signs of wear.” in the comments. So is it new and just a damaged box or is it used? Would you recommend buying it from Amazon or Amazon Warehouse Deals? Thanks so much for your help!
Pam
Pam – The Amazon warehouse deals are supposed to be items that Amazon sold that were returned from the buying customer for any number of reasons. They may have been used but, if so, it’s not supposed to be much. It’s kind of a mixed bag. Some of these are going to be brand new, in the box and never opened – like if someone returned one they got as a Christmas present because they got one from someone else, too, but they could also be returned because someone opened it, used it, didn’t like it and then returned it. I don’t know what to tell you…I probably wouldn’t risk it only because my luck stinks that way. 😉 My sister, on the other hand, would go for that deal and she’d manage to get one that also included a diamond ring in it or something (I’m kidding – there are NO diamond rings in the Amazon warehouse deal sewing machines!). 🙂
I guess I’d want to know if the original warranty was still good or not and I’m going to have to do some digging on that point. (I’ll let you know when I find out for sure one way or the other.) If the warranty isn’t valid, you can buy a warranty through Amazon’s warehouse deals program but that’s another $40-50 which then makes the purchase not a deal at all. Make sense?
Sincerely,
Erin
Thank you so much Erin!
This is the link to the Warehouse Deals site: http://www.warehousedeals.com/Brother-CS6000I-Sew-Advance-Sew-Affordable/M/B000JQM1DE.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=froogle
It does say on the page Limited 25- year warranty.
I guess my next question is If it is a returned machine, It should still be in working condition and work properly, correct? I mean if they returned it for defect, it would have to be noted.
Thank you for your help on this. I am a beginner and this will be my first machine. I have found your site soooooo helpful. I was between this one and the LX2600i but when I saw you rank them in order and this one is only a little more, I decided this one would grow with me more.
Pam
Hello Erin,
I recently decided to look into buying a sewing machine and I plan on taking a few beginner classes. I have been looking all over to figure out the best machine for beginners that is not too expensive and have narrowed it down to the CS6000i or the sq9000. I really like the CS6000i but the sq9000 has the option of doing letters. I plan on using the machine to make little girls clothes such as skirts and dresses, pillows, totes, blankets, alterations, and possible quilting once I become more skilled and I think adding little touches such as my girls names on things would be great. So my question is which would you suggest and if you know of any other good machines that will allow me to add names to the clothing or whatever?
Shannon – Between those two I’d go with the SQ9000 ONLY because the letter font is important to you. The functionality is close enough in all other respects and you can’t add fonts to the CS6000i so you might as well get the one you know has the font you’ll use. There’s one machine that might suit you even better but it would cost more than twice the price and that’s the Brother SE400. It’s more machine than you might need as it’s a combination sewing and embroidery machine but it comes with five fonts and the ability to download more as embroidery patterns. The one font on the SQ9000 is a box style and the SE400 comes with that style along with more flowing, decorative fonts, too. Any of the three are well rated machines, though, and will serve you well. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Thanks Erin,
I saw the Brother SE400 and was considering that also but I was told that it is better for embroidery rather than sewing. I also looked more into the SQ9000 and the font seems smaller than what I need so right now I am leaning more towards the CS6000i and once I become good at using it I may just practice practice practice until I am good at monogramming with just the sewing machine. If that doesn’t work out and I am still into the sewing hobby (which I am pretty sure I will be) then I will probably buy the SE400 just for the embroidery part and make designs onto the cloths I make. As of right now though I believe I will be purchasing the CS6000i then when income tax comes around next year I will look into getting the SE400 or any other less expensive embroidery machine!!
Once you get it down, I think it will look even prettier than the box font you would have had on the SQ9000 so I think you’re on the right path. You can always print fonts off of the internet and trace the outline onto your fabric as a guide. Just take it slow to start with and soon enough you’ll be a pro! 😉
Hi!
you have a great blog!
I want to buy a sewing machine around $150. I want to re-fashion some clothes that we have, sew new ones / costumes, make crafts, be able to sew denim,duck, fleece,wool, but also light and delicate fabrics.
I want it to be either a Janome or a Singer, have the ability to free-sew, and to take off the area near the needle, to be able to sew cuffs. I want to be able to use overcasting foot, and mini-serger foot, and to adjust a big table to it.(it doesn’t have to be a part of the original set, but I want to be able to add it later). I want to be able to control the speed with the pedal too.
Which models would you reccomend? and is it worth waiting for Black Friday? are there deals on sewing machines then?
Thanks!
Shiri
Shiri – Aw! Thanks for the compliment on the blog! 😉
Yes, there are Black Friday specials on sewing machines. Last year I put up a post to track them and I should be doing the same this year. However, last year there was no special that was such a great deal that I felt like shouting it from the rooftops. I don’t remember any of the more popular machines having any significant savings. I do recall there was a rebate on the Brother SE400 sewing & embroidery machine last December but that was really the only stand-out deal. That doesn’t mean this year won’t be different. In light of the economy and a few new machines that are making a name for themselves, anything is possible.
You mentioned Janome and Singer but was there a reason you left Brother out of the mix? I only ask because there are two models that would really fit the bill – the Brother CS6000i and the Brother CP6500 (identical machines, great features and very affordable).
Janome machines in the $150 price range are going to be mechanical instead of computerized (which is still good) but will have fewer stitch selections. The Janome Magnolia 7318 would probably be the closest choice but is still almost $200.
Singer has a great model in that category: Singer 7258 Review
All of these machines allow free-arm sewing for cuffs, can handle a variety of fabrics (with the right needle and thread), and can handle an extra wide table when you’re ready. All of them come with a foot pedal that controls the speed of the machine.
Because you mentioned a great deal of thick fabrics, you might also consider the Singer 4411 HD. It has only a few stitches to choose from but is built to stand up to lots of heavy fabrics. I am not sure, though, that you can add an overcasting foot or a serger/side cutter foot. The maximum stitch width is 5mm instead of 7mm but it is one of the sturdier options for under $200.
Probably still a lot to think through but you can use this tool on my site to compare the details of up to 3 sewing machines side by side: Sewing Machine Comparison Wizard. Might help you zero on in some key differences between these choices.
Let me know if you need more detail. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin,
Thanks for the detailed answer.
I left Brother out of the game, because I’m an Israeli citizen, living in the US, planning to return to Israel in the next couple of years. at the moment, there is no Brother sewing machine agency in Israel, which means that if I have problems with my machine, I won’t be able to fix it…
Another feature I’m looking for and wasn’t clear about it, is the ability to sew free designs (either with a walking foot or without).
I’ll look up the machine you’ve mentioned.
I have another question – what is the basic difference between the mechanical machines and the electronic ones? If something doesn’t work, which one is easier to fix?
Thanks,
Shiri
Shiri – Makes sense to leave Brother off, then, in light of the repair center locations.
As long as the machine you are looking at has the ability to drop the feed dogs OR comes with a feed dog cover then the machine can sew free designs. Either option keeps the feed dogs from making contact with the fabric so that you can be in charge of the fabric direction.
The biggest difference between mechanical and computerized machines is that the computerized ones do contain computer programs/chips which means the introduction of more parts which increases the chances that something could break in a machine. The more complex the machine, the more expensive and complicated it could be to fix.
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin!
another thing I wanted to ask… I looked at the three machines that you suggested. I don’t understand completely what you ment by saying: “Presser foot pressure is not adjustable, but is automatic.” in the review of the singer 7258.
I also don’t understand about the speed control in that machine. I want my 9 years old daughter to ba able to sew on the machine. Until now she sawed on a slow machine (janome Sew Mini). It’s important to me that she would be able to control the speed by the foot pedal, is it possible in this machine? if you use the pedal, can you go faster and slower without changing the speed control slider ?
Thanks for all the answers!
Shiri
Shiri –
Some sewing machines include the ability to adjust the pressure of the presser foot so that you can fine-tune the pressure for specialty fabrics. Other machines can sense how much pressure should be applied and automatically handle the pressure being applied by the presser foot. Experienced sewists – especially those that sew with very thin fabrics – have been used to having that extra control and prefer machines that have the adjustable feature. Most beginners won’t notice the difference at all and will do just fine with the automatic presser foot pressure control.
Yes, your daughter will be able to use the foot pedal to sew and control the speed of the machine. The speed control slider only controls the maximum speed of the machine when the foot pedal is attached. You can leave it at the max speed and use the foot pedal from slow all the way up to the fastest speed or you can limit the maximum speed to keep your daughter from going full speed and cap the foot pedal at something slower than the max speed. If the foot pedal is not attached and you sew with just the start/stop button, then the speed control slider caps the speed at which the machine will sew when you push the start button.
What this means is that if you set the speed control slider to the max then the foot pedal will operate just as it would with any other machine.
Sorry for the delay in answering – our Halloween threw me off schedule yesterday!
Thanks,
Erin
Wow Erin,
Thanks for the detailed answers! all that’s left for me is to decide…
Thanks again,
Shiri
You’re more than welcome and good luck! 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin!
It’s me again…
While trying to look for a good deal on the singer 7258, I found a deal on the singer 6199 at Costco… you don’t have this machine on your blog, but it looks quite similar to the 7258. can you tell me what are the pros & cons of that machine? and how is it compared to the 7258?
Thanks again!
Shiri