Table of Contents
In a Hurry ? Quick Look at Our Top Picks:
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional sewist or a total amateur. The one question that will plague you throughout your sewing journey is: which brand should I stick with? Further complicating this seemingly straightforward question is how there are countless brands out there, all promising to provide the best machine your money can buy and all proportion to do pretty much the same thing.
From Singer to Janome to Elna to Brother, at the end of the day, it can be a little confusing to distinguish their products from each other. After all, aren’t they all just providing a similar product with just a slight twist?
Regardless, today we’re here to sell you on what we think is the absolute dark horse of the sewing world: Bernette. As part of a line of high-end machines manufactured by Bernina, Bernette operates under the watchful gaze and ownership of Bernina but produces a slightly different breed of sewing machines. They produce a specialized product: affordable sewing machines that combine the cutting edge technology of Bernina but dedicated especially for the household sewist.
Don’t be fooled though while we say the word affordable. Bernette machines are still some of the best in the market in terms of quality. So if you find yourself wanting a sewing machine to kickstart your sewing journey, we invite you to continue reading. Right down below you’ll find our reviews on some of the best Bernette sewing machines in the market right now.
Best Bernette Sewing Machine
Bernette 38 Swiss Design Computerized Sewing Machine
Offering a highly computerized sewing experience to the domestic sewist, Bernette’s B38 kicks start off our little list by setting the bar extremely high. Despite its highly affordable price point, you’ll be getting everything you might expect in a premium, professional-grade sewing machine. Across its 19.5 x 16.1 x 11.1 inches, you’ll find a product that has been meticulously crafted with the highest-quality metal and plastic that’ll easily weather the long years of long usage to come.
Now onto the actual sewing. The B38 offers a fully automatic double-needle sewing experience that can further adapt to your needs via its presser foot to prevent any accidental breakages. It also features a key double-needle safety function which sets a cap on how wide a stitch is. This is to further insulate against the risk of the sewing needle from hitting the presser foot.
Now you’ll also be able to easily adapt your sewing machine to accommodate the needs of whatever materials you work with the presser foot. Whether you’re dealing with thin fabrics or the thickest of the lot, you’ll be comfortably able to work with everything here. Shaving wasted time off your day is guaranteed thanks to its automated thread cutter and tie-off capabilities which totally eliminates the need for using any manual scissors.
Best of all, the B38 includes an in-built extension table. For the sewists among you who have their sights set on ambitious and more spatially demanding projects, you’ll be grateful for this table. And for those of you not interested in working on large-scale projects, note that the extension table is totally detachable if need be.
Bernette Sew and Go 1 Swiss Design Sewing Machine
Returning to simpler times, the Bernette Sea and Go 1 still does not fail to offer everything you might need for almost any type of project. Don’t be turned off by the lack of fancy computerization and LCD displays – this is still in every way, a solid product. It perhaps even is the most economical sewing machine on our list as well.
That being said, when it comes to this little mechanical machine, we’d strongly recommend this for the more inexperienced and novice of sewists among you.
Structurally, if you thought of the SINGER Simple when looking at this machine, you wouldn’t be too far off. The Sew and Go 1 takes what’s been done before to great success by other rival companies and offers a fresh, more modern take that’ll benefit any sewist, no matter how traditional.
Here, you’ll be able to work with a range of projects with its 10 in-built stitches. You’ll be able to select the stitch of your choice by simply turning its dial which you’ll find on the side. Stich widths here can span up to a maximum width of 5mm. While this is perfect for the vast majority of sewing projects, some of the more complex and intricate projects may be slightly out of your reach.
Again, we emphasize that usability and simplicity are the core features of this machine. Beyond this, you’ll find everything else you’d expect in a standard Bernette. This includes a -step presser foot lift, a presser foot to play around with pressure, and a needle threader.
Bernette 340 Deco Swiss Design Embroidery Machine
If the idea of working on embroidery projects appeals to you then there is absolutely no reason why you should not get a machine dedicated for that purpose. This is where the Bernette 340 Deco steps in. Designed specifically for the embroiderer in mind, you’ll immediately notice how finetuned the 340 deco is.
With a more than adequate embroidery area spanning 7.9 x 5.5-inches, you’ll have more than enough space for even the most intricate patterns and motifs. This also means that you’ll be able to seamlessly work on larger projects without needing to worry about running out of space in one go which rewards the sewist twofold in terms of time saved and accuracy.
Better yet, Bernette claims that thanks to the unique design of the 340 Deco, even the most complex of designs can be easily resized and even rotated with its unique micro-rotational function. It doesn’t just stop there though. You’ll even be able to completely mirror the pattern of your choice on the LCD touchscreen display!
And yes. Having a touchscreen-only makes it easier to work on your project as you’ll be able to position each design within mere seconds without much fiddling around. You’ll also find a free arm attached to the 340 Deco which will further ensure that you’re working with the maximum level of precision possible. Before we forget, thanks to digitization, this sewing machine is totally USB usable too. Just load up a 2.0 flash drive that contains the designs of your choosing, connect it to the machine, and you’ll be all set to sew.
Bernette 33 Swiss Design Sewing Machine with Exclusive Bundle
Another great deal especially for the less experienced sewists amongst you readers, the Bernette 33 will serve as a great steppingstone machine for the wannabe sewist. Featuring everything you may need for a wide array of sewing projects, you’ll quickly find that this compact little machine packs a powerful punch.
With 15 in-built stitches along with buttonholes and featuring a maximum width of 5-mm, this machine is extremely straightforward to use as almost everything when it comes to setting is controlled with just the turn of one of two knobs.
The Bernette 33 also features a 2-step presser foot lift which will make threading a far easier experience even with unstable hands and along with its manual thread cutter and included semi-automatic threader, all the needless stress, and hassle from traditional sewing is kept out of sight and out of mind.
You will even be able to work with the thickest of fabrics here (e.g. denim) and if you’re dealing with multiple layers as you might with say, a corset, you’ll be set up for success thanks to its phenomenal piercing strength. Adding honey to an already sweet deal, the Bernette 33 comes with a range of other complimentary amenities which include 5 presser feet and even an accessory storage box.
Unfortunately, if you’re an experienced sewist, there is a small chance that you’re personal goals and what this machine is capable of doing will misalign here. Just temper your expectations before forking out any money!
Bernette B37 Sewing Machine
Combing a fine blend between affordability and functionality, the Bernette B37 is our favorite pick for those operating on a tighter budget. Don’t get us wrong – while its price point certainly is a key factor, the B37 is still in every way, a quality Bernette. A cursory glance will immediately reveal that the B37 is built with simplicity and straightforwardness in terms of its operation.
Here, any sewist will find themselves equipped with over 50 unique stitches which include 17 utility stitches, 19 decorative stitches, and even 7 quilting stitches. It’s certainly no stretch to claim that with a tool like this, the only limit to your sewing project is your ability to think creatively. Quilts, jeans, blankets, curtains are all within reach here.
Now when it comes to the actual sewing, you’ll be able to easily adjust the pressure applied by the machine via the presser foot to adapt the sewing machine to the material you are working with. Surprisingly, you’ll also find that the B37 is more than capable of working with even the thickest fabrics across multiple layers thanks to its more than respectable piercing power. Beyond this, you’ll also find a lovely built-in thread cutter that may seem unassuming at first but will go a long way in making your sewing experience all the smoother.
Ergonomics isn’t ignored here too. Down below, the two steps that are required to lift the presser foot will give more space than normal between the presser and the transporter, allowing any sewist to position their fabrics right beneath their feet.
Now with the B37 sitting in at just 17.5 pounds, we’d go as far to say that while this Bernette is designed to be placed in a stationary manner, you might be able to get away with using it as a travel sewing machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Bernette exactly?
Bernette is simply a sewing machine producer that operates under Bernina, the parent company. While they both produce high-end sewing machines that are loved by countless sewists across the globe, Bernette’s vision is slightly different. They aim to be the ideal choice for domestic sewist.
This means that their machines are usually more affordable than their parent, Bernina. To that end, Bernette’s make a fantastic choice for either those working on a shoestring budget or sewists who are looking to start out and just need something to kickstart their sewing journey.
Are there any negatives to owning a Bernette sewing machine?
Now we strongly believe that when it comes to negatives, the only conceivable negative is strange, your skill level. Bernettes are great in every aspect. From build to functionality to price and to weight, they offer what you’d expect from the most prestigious of companies. But here’s the kicker.
Because, as we’ve emphasized, they’re targeted for domestic sewists and are suitable for novices, for the more experienced veterans on you who have set your sights towards the most intricate, grandiose, and ambitious of sewing projects, there is a small chance that you’ll find the Bernette slightly lacking in terms of functionality when compared to other brands, say Bernina or even SINGER.
This isn’t to say that if you’re experienced you shouldn’t get a Bernette but just look to your own needs and goals before settling on a Bernette to avoid any potential disappointment.
How long can I expect my Bernette to last?
There isn’t a universal answer for this but on average, under a normal workload, you can easily expect your machine to last up to 5 years without fault. It’ll even last longer if you take proper care of it and conduct maintenance and repairs when needed.
How can I care for my Bernette?
There’s nothing special about Bernette that’ll require unique methods of care. Simply store it with a proper cover when not in use to avoid dust accumulation, clean it on a regular basis, unplug it when not in use once in a while, and ensure that the thread you use is of sufficiently good quality so as to minimize the buildup of lint on the inside of your Bernette sewing machine.