One of the questions we hear a lot at Frank Nutt Sewing Machines is: "I like the idea of Bernina, but is the price right for me just yet?" And that's exactly the conversation that leads people to bernette.
Bernette is Bernina's sister brand — designed and engineered with the same Swiss heritage, but positioned at a more accessible price point. The range starts well under £300 and reaches into the four figures, covering everything from a capable first sewing machine to a feature-rich sewing and embroidery combination. If you want Bernina-quality thinking behind a machine without necessarily Bernina prices, bernette is where to look.
Here's what you actually need to know to choose the right one.
What bernette is — and what it isn't
It helps to understand where bernette sits before you start comparing models. These are not cut-down machines with the Bernina name borrowed to add credibility. The bernette range has its own genuine identity: Swiss design, solid build quality, and an interface that will feel familiar to anyone who has used a Bernina. The stitch quality is noticeably good, and the machines are built to last in regular use.
What bernette doesn't do is replicate the very top end of the Bernina range. You won't find the Bernina Hook system, the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator), or the seven-year guarantee on a bernette. The guarantee on bernette machines at Frank Nutt is two years parts and labour — still a solid commitment, and backed by our in-house servicing team.
For the right person at the right stage of their sewing journey, bernette is a genuinely smart choice.
Step one: What kind of sewing do you mainly want to do?
Learning to sew — and growing with a machine
The thing most beginners don't realise when buying their first sewing machine is how quickly they outgrow it. A machine with 10 stitches and basic controls will serve you well for the first few months, but by the time you're tackling different fabrics and more varied projects, you'll often find yourself wanting more.
This is worth thinking about when you're deciding how much to spend. Buying a machine that's slightly beyond where you are today — but well within reach of where you'll be in a year — often saves money in the long run.
For general beginners, the mechanical machines in the bernette range offer a reassuringly simple experience. All settings are controlled by physical knobs rather than a screen, which some people genuinely prefer — there's nothing to navigate and nothing to accidentally tap. They're also robust, with a solid build that handles everyday wear and tear without fuss. A 2-step presser foot lift, which gives extra clearance under the foot for thicker fabrics or multiple layers, is useful from the very beginning and is included across the lower models.
As you move up slightly, the Bernette 05 series introduces electronic speed control and a wider set of stitches for more varied projects. The Bernette 05 Crafter has a stainless steel sewing bed and a strong motor, making it genuinely capable of working through heavier fabrics — thick denim, canvas, and craft materials that would strain a lighter machine. It also converts to a free arm for sewing tubular items like cuffs and collars, and has a view-through bobbin cover so you can see at a glance when the thread is running low. The Bernette 05 Academy steps this up further with 30 stitches, up to 1,100 stitches per minute (spm), and an impressive 12 presser feet included — a particularly generous package for a machine at this price.
Dressmaking and general garment sewing
Once you're making garments regularly, the features that matter most shift from simplicity to precision and versatility. Stitch variety becomes more important, as does the ability to adjust settings on the fly and save combinations for repeat use.
The Bernette b38 (£599) is where the range steps into fully computerised territory, and the difference is tangible. It has 394 stitches — including 67 decorative stitches, eight 1-step buttonhole styles, and three alphabets for adding lettering to your work. The 7mm stitch width opens up decorative possibilities, and the memory function lets you store stitch combinations for future projects. An automatic thread cutter means you're not stopping at the end of every seam to manually cut, and the adjustable presser foot pressure means the machine can be properly set for lightweight fabrics that would otherwise be pushed around rather than fed smoothly.
The b38 also has a double needle safety function — a small but thoughtful feature that limits the stitch width automatically when you switch to a double needle, preventing the needles from striking the presser foot. It's the kind of detail that comes from a brand that thinks about the full range of things sewists actually do.
Quilting
Quilting asks specific things of a sewing machine that aren't always obvious until you're mid-project and struggling. The biggest are workspace and fabric feed.
On workspace: the amount of room to the right of the needle determines how freely you can manoeuvre a large quilt top. The lower bernette models offer around 6.7 inches of space, which is workable. The b77 and b79 both offer 9 inches — a significant step up that makes managing large quilts noticeably easier. When you're wrestling a king-size quilt through a smaller machine, those extra few inches are felt immediately.
On fabric feed: the bernette b77 (£1,195) includes Dual Feed as standard. Dual Feed — sometimes called a built-in walking foot system — feeds the fabric evenly from both above and below simultaneously. For quilters, this is particularly valuable: it prevents the top layer of a quilt sandwich from creeping forward relative to the bottom layers, which causes uneven stitching and frustration. It also handles jersey, velvet, and other slippery or stretchy materials that a standard single-direction feed can struggle with.
The b77 also has a 5" colour touchscreen, 500 stitches including 133 decorative and 35 quilting stitches specifically, a knee lifter so you can raise the presser foot without removing your hands from the fabric, and sews at up to 1,000 spm. For a quilter who wants a capable, well-featured machine that genuinely supports the craft, it's an excellent option.
Embroidery
Bernette takes a clear approach to embroidery in the range. The b70 Deco (£1,295) is a dedicated embroidery machine — it doesn't sew in the traditional sense, but focuses entirely on embroidery with a 260 x 160mm embroidery area, 208 built-in designs, a 5" colour touchscreen for editing and positioning, and an embroidery unit with three hoops included. It automatically cuts threads between colour changes, which saves the constant stopping and snipping that manual thread management requires. For someone who already has a sewing machine they're happy with and wants a dedicated embroidery tool to sit alongside it, the b70 Deco is a focused, well-considered choice.
For those who want sewing and embroidery in a single machine, the b79 (£1,695) is bernette's most complete model — it combines the full sewing and quilting capability of the b77 with the embroidery module of the b70 Deco. The embroidery unit slides on and off, so you can use it as a pure sewing machine at any time. It has 500 stitches, 208 embroidery designs, Dual Feed, a 5" touchscreen, knee lifter, and a Stitch Designer for creating your own custom stitches. The b79 also comes in a Harry Potter Special Edition (£1,795), which includes exclusive themed embroidery designs and a distinctive look — worth knowing about if you or someone you're buying for has an interest in that kind of personalisation.
High-speed straight stitch sewing
The bernette b08 (£1,399) sits in its own category and is worth flagging separately, because it's not a machine for everyone — but for the right sewist, it's exactly what's needed. It's a straight-stitch only machine, which immediately tells you something: this is built for speed, precision, and volume rather than versatility.
At up to 1,600 spm, it's one of the fastest domestic sewing machines available. It has a metal body that eliminates vibration at high speeds, an extra-large bobbin for longer uninterrupted sewing, an independent bobbin winding motor, and an automatic thread cutter. For dressmakers who produce a high volume of work, people doing repairs and alterations professionally, or anyone who does long straight-seam sewing regularly, the b08 is a machine that earns its place. It's not a replacement for a general-purpose machine, but a specialist tool that does one thing exceptionally well.
Step two: What's your experience level?
Complete beginners
The mechanical machines — the b33 and b35 — are honest, no-fuss starting points. Simple knob controls, a small but capable stitch selection, and a build quality that will last through a learning curve. The b33 (£199, currently on special offer) is one of the most affordable entry points in the range; the b35 (£269) adds seven presser feet and a few extra stitches. Neither will overwhelm you, and both will do what you need them to do.
If you want to invest a little more upfront and avoid running into limitations too quickly, the b05 Crafter or b05 Academy are both worth the extra spend. More stitches, more presser feet, and machines that will stay relevant as your skills develop.
Intermediate sewists
If you've been sewing for a while and feel the limitations of a basic machine, the b38 is typically the point at which bernette starts to feel like a proper upgrade. The computerised controls, the 394 stitches, the memory function, and the automatic thread cutter all make a real difference to how efficiently you can work.
Confident and enthusiast sewists
For regular sewists who want a machine that keeps up — whether that's the b77 for sewing and quilting, the b70 Deco for focused embroidery, the b79 for sewing and embroidery combined, or the b08 for straight-stitch speed — these are machines with real capability that reward proper use.
Step three: Features worth understanding
Dual Feed
Found on the b77 and b79, Dual Feed feeds fabric from the top and bottom simultaneously. Think of it as a built-in walking foot system that you can engage and disengage easily. It makes a genuine difference on multiple layers, stretchy fabrics, velvet, and quilts — and it saves you needing a separate walking foot attachment for everyday use.
The 5" colour touchscreen (b77 and b79)
Rather than scrolling through categories to find a stitch, the touchscreen gives you direct visual access to the full stitch library, shows you exactly what each stitch looks like as you adjust it, and includes a Creative Consultant that suggests the right stitch for your chosen fabric and technique. For sewists who use a wide variety of stitches regularly, this is considerably more efficient than dial-based selection.
Stitch Designer (b79)
The b79 includes a Stitch Designer — a tool that lets you create and customise your own stitches from scratch. If you find yourself wanting stitches that don't exist in the standard library, this opens up a significant amount of creative scope.
Mechanical vs. electronic vs. computerised
It's worth knowing the distinction, because it affects how the machine feels to use day to day. Mechanical machines (b33, b35) use physical knobs for everything — straightforward and tactile, nothing to learn. Electronic machines (b05 Crafter, b05 Academy) add electronic speed control and convenience features while keeping the control layout simple. Computerised machines (b38, b77, b79) use a screen and digital controls — more features, more precision, and a short learning curve that most people find intuitive within a session or two.
Step four: Budget
Bernette sewing machines at Frank Nutt currently start from £199 and cover a wide range. Here's the full picture:
- Bernette b33 — £199 (on special offer)
- Bernette b35 — £269
- Bernette b05 Crafter — £329
- Bernette b05 Academy — £399
- Bernette b38 — £599
- Bernette b77 — £1,195
- Bernette b70 Deco — £1,295
- Bernette b08 Straight Stitch — £1,399
- Bernette b79 — £1,695
- Bernette b79 Harry Potter Special Edition — £1,795
A note on after-sales support
All bernette machines bought from Frank Nutt come with a two-year parts and labour guarantee. Our in-house servicing team handles bernette as part of the wider Bernina family, so you're in good hands if anything needs attention after the sale. All repairs carry a six-month guarantee.
If you ever have a question about your machine — whether that's a week after buying it or two years down the line — you're welcome to call us on 0121 444 3978 and speak to someone who knows the range.
Still not sure?
We have the bernette range on display at The Old Stables, Poplar Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Come in and try the machines you're considering — it's always worth sewing on one before you decide, and there's no pressure to buy on the day.
Browse the full bernette sewing machine range at franknutt.co.uk or call us on 0121 444 3978 and we'll help you find the right one.