Bernette79

I wanted to use the b79 for a few weeks before writing my review. It’s a beast of a machine. Far more functionality than I was expecting. I will probably never use more than ¼ of its sewing capabilities. I plan to use it a lot more for embroidery. I’m still trying to figure out how Bernette managed to get the price so low. Here’s a list of the likes and dislikes for me.Likes• Large cast aluminum internal frame.• Lots of stitches.• Fast for a consumer machine.• Presser Foot Hover. This can be turned off if you don’t like it.• Good LED lighting.• It can read multiple embroidery file types.• It can be programmed to pause during embroidery to cut tails.• On board help menus. They help me but YMMV.Dislikes• Snap in presser feet. Nothing mechanically wrong with them. I just don’t like them.• Slow startup time. It’s over 40 seconds. It has a big computer inside.• Function menus are not very intuitive.• Lots of menu’s to memorize.• User manual is pretty vague. Find a local dealer to help you understand all the menu’s.• It is a new model so accessories are hard to find. Bernina is working on improving support.• Threading the lower bobbin. You need to be careful to make sure you catch the tiny tension hook on the front edge of the bobbin cup. Took me several tries until I figured out why it was occasionally “bird nesting” the lower thread. I works great if you do it right.• What came in the box was a little off from what was listed in the user manual when I inventoried everything. Only had one large spool disk instead of two. Came with four bobbins instead of the three listed. This was trivial to me so I didn’t take points off for it.• It should have come with a non-stick foot. This is me being picky.

If you enjoy having to know everything about your machine to the point that you spend more time troubleshooting why its doing crazy things than sewing -- you'll enjoy this time suck and money pit. I cannot believe I spent close to $2000 on a machine that I constantly have to stop down and figure out -- does it hate the needle, not like the thread, need to be rethreaded AGAIN, the bobbin isn't to it's liking...it is literally just one thing after another. I use all Bernina needles, Bernina bobbins - have spent a fortune trying make sure that it gets materials and threads that it likes (because it isn't like your Singer -- you can't go change threads without readjusting everything). My most recent issue is that it sews by itself...YES...I do the finish knot, walk away and it just keeps on sewing. I turn it off, I reset it -- it comes back on sewing on it's own. I get so angry I just want to take a hammer and crush it -- and it takes some time for me to get this frustrated. I am generally patient and don't mind taking the time to learn things within reason. I've been sewing for 20 years - operating a machine should not be an issue. This machine literally has a mind of its own. You set it up per the manual and it completely ignores the settings and sews on it's own -- I hate this machine so much and am so disappointed. I suppose at this point I'll have to lug the thing to a shop and sink more money into it to figure out why nothing works the way it should. I'm seriously considering just throwing it in a closet and going back to my old Singer that puts this machine to shame. Unless you enjoy maintenance and troubleshooting between every project -- often several times during projects - DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE!UPDATE: I bought a Singer Heavy Duty machine and the Bernette has a new home in the back of the closet. I like to sew bags and purses and I have come to the conclusion the Bernette is just not meant for layers or heavy duty fabrics I like to use on my backpacks and traveling bags. It just cannot handle it. My last attempt, I purchased the Bernini brand leather needles (which aren’t cheap - nothing with this machine is), did all the cleaning and oiling (and yes, you will be taking this machine apart at least once every 6 months to oil it - and the little screwdriver that comes with the machine won’t work - so get your toolbox out and look for a YouTube video because the manual - as is the case with much of this machine- won’t tell you what you need to know). With recommended heavier thread, a leather needle, and a freshly cleaned and oiled machine, i tried again (this is the 6th attempt with this bag - a laptop case made with a heavy canvas). First it shredded the thread several times. I re- threaded more times than I can count before changing back to a regular thread. Next it started bunching up the new thread in the bobbin (I just cleaned this). So just to be certain I wound a new bobbin that I pulled right out of the Bernini packaging. Then it completely stalled going over a thicker area where the bag strap crossed a pocket and zipper. I gave up. Couldn’t even sew from the top to the bottom of this bag with all recommended settings, accessories, and a clean machine.My final thought is that this is an embroidery, quilting and light sewing machine. I was hoping for an all in one - but this machine simply is not that. I have done successful embroidery and that’s what this machine is really made to do. Although, again with the embroidery— if you want to do your own designs, be ready to make an additional software purchase and go through a lot of trial and error - watching YouTube videos while burning through pricey supplies.This machine cannot handle thick layers or projects that include heavier fabrics. If you do lots of bindings or layers….find another machine.The Singer Heavy Duty that I just got is handling my bag project like a champ. Unlike the Bernette, I haven’t broken needles, had my thread tighten or bunch, or had to stop and watch YouTube videos to troubleshoot strange behavior. It’s nice to be able to sew hassle free and without breaking the bank on specialty supplies.

I admit I got frustrated at first. After a week of messing around with the program module that comes with it and the settings I was able to do what I originally bought this for.... Embroider everything LOL. The machine itself is nice, heavy but nice. It recommends this expensive embroidery thread but I use simthread, which I bought on Amazon, and haven't had any problems. The machine itself only lets you edit motifs or letters up or down 20%. If you need smaller or larger than that then you have to use the program and design it to fit your needs. Lots of fonts to choose from. The edit module let's you edit/create anything and everything. Both programs that come with it value around $1100. So essentially it comes with everything you need. I was highly disappointed that it didn't come with a manual. You have to download it from their website then print it off (170 pages) if you want a copy (which you need). All in all I love this machine LOL.Update: 6/25/2022I make a lot of teady bears and embroider a lot of stuff. The special embroidery bobbin case holder (with the red triangle) broke. I could not find a replacement. No one stocks parts for these machines. It differs from the regular one in tension. The regular one will not work for embroidery. After 3 months of searching I finally found one and bought the last and only one they had.

I just received it and haven't tried it out yet, but I'm going to be sewing on a quilt as soon as I get it set up!!

Ordered this as a gift for my fiancé and the standard sewing worked fine for her. The embroidery aspect of the machine is why I gave 3 stars. We needed to bring the machine to a local repair shop to have it tuned because of complications with (I believe) tension on the machine. Not sure why the machine wasn’t all set to begin with - might be an issue with Bernina (Bernette) themselves. Just something to be aware of. I wouldn’t totally let this deter you from buying on Amazon.. however, it does seem that local sellers really prefer you to buy through them (one woman at another shop we visited was very upset we bought through Amazon). Anyways- great machine and easy to use besides this issue!