Southern Tier Sewing Center

I have been a customer of STSC for over 10 years. Just bought my 3rd Bernina sewing machine. Great store with very helpful and knowledgeable staff. Owners and staff is always willing to help you with any questions about machines and any sewing project you are working on. The store has a large variety of items to purchase and if they do not have what you want, they will order for you. Great customer service.

I have been a customer of STSC for many years. I have purchased 2 sewing machines, had yearly maintenance checks for cleanings and repairs, bought yards of fabrics and goods, had countless quilts quilted by Justine, and taken several great classes. It is a wonderful store with terrific staff! A+

I have enjoyed my sewing experience for years at Southern Tier Sewing Center. They have open sewing and we are able to meet friends to sew. The staff is there to help us if we need help. If we are having a problem with our machine they are willing to help find out what the problem is. They are there to help us pick out just that right fabric to go with a project we are working on.

I have been a customer since 2016 have taken several classes. Employees very personable. Have had service on my sewing machines yearly and if I have a problem I just give them a call and they talk me through my problems.

Terrific service, knowledgeable staff (even about older Bernina machines); always willing to provide guidance. Wonderful classes, with excellent instructors. Love STSC

I just took a sewing machine in for repair, their prices are very reasonable. I appreciate that they will work on any brand of machine!

I am new to quilting so I appreciate all the guidance that I have received. I am taking classes which are always busy, fun and loaded with information.

Employees seem to be irritated when customers come in and need help. Employees ripped my thread off my machine. I was told they didn't need it to service my machine. Drop the machine off on November 28. I was told they were very busy for the holidays and it will be a couple of weeks to one month. Had to put a down payment of $30. Got the machine back in December 18. 4 months later, the machine is jamming and breaking threads again. Had to have it serviced again. Took it to a different place. This place said Southern really screwed up my machine. The lubricant that Southern had used turned very sticky. And they had reset/ fixed everything Southern did. They had my machine done in one day. Ugh, $130.00 down the drain.

My vintage Singer sewing machine needed repair. I called the Southern Tier Sewing Center and was told to dismantle the machine from the cabinet and bring it into their shop. I explained I didn’t know how to do this, her response “remove 2 screws”. The machine was attached to cords, but with help, I was able to get it out of the cabinet and trudged up a snow-covered hill with a 50 lb machine. Upon arriving I was told I needed to go back home and get additional parts to the machine. I guess I assumed a sewing machine repair shop would have these items. I was told they don’t have Singer parts, only Bernina. I was given a sticky note with the missing items needed and sent home. Many years ago, I had my machine repaired by the Endicott Sewing Center on the George F Highway, their staff were friendly, helpful and not condescending
like this shop. I will do my own repairs and will not ever return to this shop. The staff needs some major attitude adjustments. I wish I could give it zero stars.

It has been years since I have visited this store. I wanted to look at sewing machines to purchase a new one. I went into the store and there were 2 customers at the counter being waited on by 2 employees. I walked over to the sewing machine area and looked around for almost 15 minutes. During that time one of the customers chatted with one of the clerks for 5 or 6 minutes after I got there and she left the shop. I browsed around for almost 10 minutes more while she stayed at the counter. Since she wasn’t coming over to wait on me, I left the store. After I walked down the hill and was getting in my car, that clerk came out and asked If there was anything I wanted. I told her “not anymore, I was looking for a new sewing machine.” She said “Oh, I thought you were with that lady”. Referring to the woman that was completing her purchase, chatted with for a while, and left the store. Mind you I was still waiting for help for 10 minutes after that woman she thought I was with left the store and had driven away!! I told her “ that I was sorry I wasn’t a woman, apparently because men apparently aren’t customers.” I was going to complain about the ice covered walk way up the hill from the parking lot to the store, but wasn’t interested spending any more time at that place.

More recent visit earlier this week, 6 months from my last comment, I stopped in to buy a new machine. They didn’t have what I wanted, but they said they were expecting some new machines. Today, I got a call that they have just gotten 2 new machines. So I took some (Moda) light weight cotton quilt fabric that I use, to see how they would sew. When I walked in, she showed me the machines and I said I would like to try them out to see how they sew. She said no, I couldn’t use those machines but I could try a much more expensive machine that is their demo unit. I said I want to try the one I want to buy. I was not able to try out the new machines. I have been sewing for over 60 years and I have purchased many machines over the years. I have never been told I couldn’t try out a machine before I buy it! Since I couldn’t try it, I didn’t buy it, and I am never going back to that place again! I certainly hope nobody else will ever go there. I don’t know if they just don’t like men, or they don’t like to sell machines! I sure wish I could fill this out without giving less than one star rating!

Owner knows it all. Poor service won't return. Will make sure to tell friends to steer clear.