In “Vintage Sewing Machines Were Built to Last a Lifetime,” I discussed how vintage sewing machines were engineered to be passed down from generation to generation. Many of them still sew beautifully and have many future years of sewing pleasure to give.

But how do you choose a vintage sewing machine, and where should you look for one?

I have purchased many dozens of vintage sewing machines since I started sewing nearly 10 years ago. Most of my experiences have been positive, but I’ve had a few disappointments, too. There are definitely risks involved with buying vintage, but the potential pleasures greatly outweigh them.

Vintage sewing machines are easy to find; at one time, nearly every family owned a sewing machine. Here is a list of the best sources along with their respective pros and cons.

eBay sells everything. Auctions as well as fixed-price, buy-it-now sales for vintage sewing machines…