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Are you searching for the best cash register for your retail store — specifically one that fits the needs of a fabric or sewing business? Modern cash registers have come a long way from the bulky machines of the past. Today, they’re often built into all-in-one point of sale (POS) systems that combine payment processing, inventory tracking, and customer management into a single, convenient setup.
For fabric and sewing shop owners, these systems can make daily operations noticeably easier. Selling fabric in fractional yardage, organizing products sold in kits or bundles, and keeping class schedules in order all become far more manageable with the right tools in place.
In this blog, we’ll compare the top six POS providers based on the cash register hardware and software they offer, highlighting the systems that work best for fabric and sewing retailers.
Let’s dive in.
Types of Cash Register Systems for Fabric and Sewing Stores
Cash register systems, or hardware, generally fall into two categories: all-in-one systems and modular (or traditional) setups. The difference isn’t just technical — it can impact how easily you run your shop day to day, especially given the unique needs of a fabric or sewing store.
1. All-in-One Cash Register Systems
All-in-one systems bundle everything you need into a single, preconfigured solution — including hardware, software, and payment processing. Many combine essential tools like a barcode scanner, card reader, receipt printer, and touchscreen display into one compact device, reducing clutter and simplifying checkout.
These systems often arrive ready to use, with POS software preinstalled and payment processing fully integrated — no third-party setup required. Some also support mobile or handheld registers, giving you flexibility to ring up sales at events, workshops, or anywhere in your store.
This kind of mobility and simplicity is rarely possible with older standalone register setups or pieced-together systems.
Pros:
- Quick, plug-and-play installation
- Single vendor for support and troubleshooting
- Built-in hardware and software compatibility
- Easy for staff to learn and use
- Tailored options for fabric and sewing shops
- Unified updates and maintenance
- Optional handheld hardware adds flexibility without extra complexity
Cons:
- Less hardware flexibility due to preset packages
- Higher upfront cost, though often offset by time savings and reduced support needs
Related Read: 6 Best Payment Processors for Fabric Stores
2. Modular or Traditional Systems
Traditional systems require you to assemble your register setup by purchasing separate components — often from different vendors. You might pair a tablet or touchscreen device with a standalone receipt printer, cash drawer, card reader, subscription-based POS software, and an independent payment processor. While this approach offers more choices, it also demands more effort in setup, maintenance, and support.
Pros:
- Fully customizable hardware and software
- Lower initial cost — buy only what you need
- Easier to upgrade individual components over time
Cons:
- More complex setup, potentially requiring IT support
- Possible hardware and software compatibility issues
- Multiple vendors for support
- Generic POS software lacking support for fractional yardage, fabric bundles, or class scheduling without alternative solutions
With the pros and cons of different setups in mind, let’s look at what fabric and sewing store owners need to prioritize in a cash register system.
What Fabric and Sewing Stores Really Need in a Cash Register
If you run a small fabric or sewing store, an all-in-one system is often the best choice. It means fewer moving parts and less setup time. A full register and POS system can handle more tasks for you. This is especially helpful if you work alone or have a small team.
Below are the most important features to look for in a cash register system. These are the tools that support real fabric and sewing businesses:
- Built-in payment processing: Customers expect to pay with chip cards, tap-to-pay, gift cards, and mobile wallets. Your system has to handle all of it smoothly.
- Fractional inventory tracking: You need to sell fabric by the yard, half-yard, and quarter-yard. Your register is expected to track those quantities without manual fixes.
- Product bundles and kits: Quilt kits, block-of-the-month (BOM) programs, and thread sets are common. You can group and sell these products easily with the right system.
- Reliable hardware setup: Cutting counters get busy. Make sure your touchscreen, scanner, printer, and card reader work well together and hold up to daily use.
- E-commerce integration: If you sell online, your system needs to be designed to update inventory automatically to prevent overselling or stock confusion.
- Customer tracking and management: Use a comprehensive system to keep track of purchase history, class sign-ups, and loyalty programs in one place.
- Responsive customer support: When tech problems come up, you need quick, helpful support. Choose a provider known for reliable service and easy troubleshooting.
Now that the must-have features are covered, let’s explore the best cash register and POS providers for fabric and sewing stores.
Top 5 Cash Register Options for Fabric and Sewing Stores
The right hardware and software combination keeps your checkout smooth and inventory accurate while supporting your store’s growth. Here are the top five cash register options built to fit sewing retailers of all sizes.
1. Like Sew
Like Sew is a complete cash register and POS system built specifically for fabric, quilt, and sewing stores. It combines industry-tailored hardware and software to handle fabric by the yard, bundles, and classes with ease.
Hardware options: Like Sew follows a bring-your-own-hardware (BYOH) model, giving you the flexibility to choose the register setup that fits your shop. It supports standard retail hardware like touchscreen terminals, receipt printers, barcode scanners, cash drawers, and EMV card readers.
Software: The software supports fractional yardage tracking, BOM programs, kit and bundle management, class registration, loyalty programs, and real-time e-commerce sync. Payment processing is fully integrated and secure.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for fabric and sewing retailers
- All-in-one solution reduces juggling multiple apps
- Excellent industry-specific inventory and customer management features
- Expert onboarding and ongoing support
Cons:
- Limited hardware flexibility outside of provided bundles
- Possibly more than necessary for very small stores or those with limited product lines
Related Read: Fabric Inventory Management: 4 Tips & Software Tools
2. Square
Square is a popular all-in-one POS and cash register system for small to medium retail shops, including fabric and sewing stores. It’s easy to set up and use, which makes it great for solo owners or small teams.
Hardware options: This provider offers compact, sleek devices like the Square Stand and Square Register that fit well on cutting counters or small checkout spaces. Accessories consist of scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.
Software: Basic inventory and customer management features are included. Payment processing supports all major cards, mobile wallets, and gift cards, with flat-rate pricing and no monthly minimums.
Pros:
- Affordable, easy setup
- Intuitive interface
- No monthly fees
- Good fit for precut fabrics and notions
Cons:
- No native support for fractional yardage or complex bundles
- Lacks class and event management
- Limited support for fabric-specific workflows
3. Clover
Clover is a flexible, modular cash register and POS system ideal for fabric stores wanting customizable hardware and payment options.
Hardware options: Choose from Clover Station, Mini, or Flex devices, with accessories like barcode scanners and receipt printers to fit your space.
Software: They have general retail POS software with inventory tracking suitable for patterns, notions, and standard SKUs. Fractional fabric yardage and kits require manual workarounds or third-party apps.
Pros:
- Hardware customization options
- Supports multiple payment processors
- Expandable app ecosystem
Cons:
- Lacks fabric-specific features
- Inconsistent app integrations
- Support varies by vendor
4. Lightspeed
Lightspeed offers a powerful POS system with scalable hardware options designed for growing fabric and sewing stores with higher inventory volumes or multiple locations.
Hardware options: Lightspeed is compatible with iPads and supports a wide range of peripherals — like scanners, printers, and cash drawers — to build a full POS setup.
Software: This provider has strong e-commerce integration and reporting tools. Inventory management handles variants and reordering, but it does not natively track fabric by fractional yardage or bundles.
Pros:
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Excellent for multichannel sales
- Scalable for growing shops
Cons:
- More complex and expensive
- Lacks built-in fabric-specific inventory and class management features
5. Shopify
Shopify is ideal for fabric stores already using Shopify’s e-commerce platform, offering unified management of online and in-store sales.
Hardware options: Portable card readers and the POS Go device provide mobility and convenience in busy shop environments.
Software: They support common payment types, but inventory and product management are unit-based. Fractional yardage and fabric bundles require third-party apps or alternative solutions.
Pros:
- Seamless e-commerce integration
- Easy payment reconciliation
- Mobile-friendly hardware
Cons:
- Limited native fabric-specific features
- Less suitable for brick-and-mortar-only stores
Before committing to a cash register or POS system, be sure to read reviews and ask about free trials or demos to find the best fit for your sewing store.
Power Your Sewing Store With Like Sew
The best cash register setup starts with software that actually understands your business. Like Sew is built specifically for quilt and sewing retailers, so it speaks your language right out of the box. It supports quarter-yard fabric sales, kit management, class sign-ups, customer rewards, and BOM programs — all in one clean, unified system.
You also get flexible hardware options, so you’re not locked into a rigid system. Bring your own equipment or build the setup that fits your space — Like Sew adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.
Curious what Like Sew might cost for your setup? Explore our Good-Better-Best pricing tool to put together the features you need — and get a tailored estimate.
