Bonny’s Sewing & Fabric

Participated in Quilt Quest Last Year at the Stafford location. Quilt was taken by owner and never returned even after multiple requests and visits to the shop.

I was looking forward to exploring Bonny’s, but there was little fabric, and what they had was beautiful, but expensive. The salesperson was otherwise occupied, I was obviously a bother, though she did answer any specific questions I asked. It was clear that the purpose of the store is to sell the top of the line, expensive machines, and only offer classes for those who purchase new machines. It’s probably a decent place to go if you are willing to part with $ 2000 for a new machine.

Bonny’s is the cutest sewing shop you will see in Northern Virginia! I have been there only a handful of times but have always had a pleasant experience. I am new to sewing and quilting and do not own an expensive, high quality machine (mine is a Brother Laura Ashley that I just LOVE), but that did not stop this small business from trying to help me find just the right piping foot I needed. Though they could not find one in the end, they must have checked several different avenues for over half an hour. While they were doing that, I was browsing through the store and made a few purchases. During my most recent visit, which was on Black Friday, I purchased a few things and chatted with Bonny about quilting. She made a few suggestions to me and I ended up also purchasing a new quilt book. She even suggested I bring in my quilt to show her when I was finished with it! To top it all off, I did not realize until I got home that she gave me quite a discount (Black Friday??) on all of my purchases. Thank you Bonny! I can’t wait for an excuse to shop at your store again soon!

If you’re in the mood for poor customer service that includes condescension and disrespect, then this is the place for you.
Let me start out by indicating that I really do not like giving small business poor ratings, but my experience needs to be documented and shared.
I specifically avoided Amazon (I normally LOVE Amazon because it’s easy and fast) so that I could try a local store out to purchase some basic components for hemming my son’s pants. I am a novel seamstress and my mother just purchased a very basic machine for me so that I could learn how to sew. I went on Youtube to help me with sewing and to give me suggestions for supplies. It was pretty simple really and I knew basically what I needed from those videos and after suggestions from friends. I went to a mom and pop store to help THEM. I believe in small businesses and I want to see them thrive in the community.
For starters I walk into the store with a stroller. There were two men at the counter who were talking and neither of them stopped to help me through the door. After I get inside and pass the two men I wait at the counter to be helped. There were NO other customers in the store at this time and the men were having a conversation that was unrelated to the store/​sewing/​customers, etc. Finally after several minutes a gentleman approaches me and asks if I need help. I explain what I need (thick orange/​yellow denim thread and a denim needle) and he begins to question why I want to use the orange thread. I explained and he showed me what I needed after scoffing at my choice of color thread. He then asked me what kind of machine I had (a basic Brother machine) and scoffed (Nope, I don’t own a fancy machine because I can’t afford one and because I’m brand new at sewing). I was trying to ignore the behavior and just chalked it up to him having a bad day or that just being his personality. Once I was at the register I asked if they accepted Amex. He said no so I gave him a new Discover card. Once the card was in his hand he IMMEDIATELY shoved my card back to me, raised his voice and said he wouldn’t accept the card because it wasn’t signed. I responded politely and told him that I’d never had a problem with it not being signed and that I do it on purpose, but I would gladly sign it. He explained angrily and accusatorially– the business owner would be charged for any CC fraud starting October 1^st and that if I was a thief he would have to pay. ALL of this I understand and I did not cause a stir about this. I understand that he has to watch out for his business, but what I don’t accept was the DELIVERY of his message. It is NOT okay to raise your voice or speak in a threatening and condescending manner. There is a way that you can talk to your customers without making them feel inferior or like a criminal. All the gentleman would’ve needed to say was, «maam, I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I am required to have a signature on the card because X, Y, Z.» After I signed it he didn’t even look at my signature until I mentioned it. Then he proceeded to tell me that my signature didn’t match my ID perfectly THEN he began to badger me on why the yellow strip was still on my card. After that I’d had it. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so disrespected by a store owner, ever. As I was leaving I even started to tear up and explained that I intentionally came to this location and avoided online shopping to give his small business a chance. Instead of apologizing he just said, «you’re probably right, but you wouldn’t have been able to get any help on Amazon.». Well, he’s wrong. I can get EVERYTHING I needed answered on
.
My advice to the owner and manager, which I suspect is the gentleman who I encountered today, is to treat your customers with respect and to apologize if you know you’re wrong and even if you don’t feel your wrong. It goes a long way and shows that you care. As for me, I’m going to continue my sewing journey and I will continue to purchase supplies, but I will not ever do business at this location because of my experience today.

I have no hesitation in giving this business a five-​star rating.
When I need my Pfaff sewing machine or serger fixed, I take it to Bonny’s. The staff is courteous, knowledgeable, and efficient. The employees charged with the responsibility of repairing sewing machines and sergers are up to date on the latest home sewing equipment technologies.
In addition to selling top-​of-​the-​line sewing machines and overlockers, Bonny’s has a nice selection of sewing notions, books, and quilting fabric. The prices are a bit high, but the buyer gets totally great quality.
They also have quilting classes on the premises.

I was looking for fabric and this is the closest one to my house. The fabrics are definitely ones I could have found at Walmart, poor selection.