Sewing Machines

Mechanical or computerised?

Mechanical machines set the stitch, width and length with knobs or dials. There is less to learn and less to go wrong. The sew&go 1 has 10 stitches, the b33 has 15 with a free arm and a 4-step buttonhole, and the b35 has 23 with a one-step buttonhole and 7 snap-on feet.

The b05 Academy is the mechanical machine to look at if you plan to keep sewing. It has 30 stitches, up to 1,100 stitches a minute with a speed limiter, and a feed dog that drops for darning and free-motion quilting. Twelve presser feet and an extension table come in the box. The b05 Crafter is the same machine with 6 feet.

Computerised machines start with the b37: an LCD screen, 50 stitches, a 7 mm stitch width and a start/stop button, so you can sew without the pedal. The b38 goes to 394 stitches, 8 automatic buttonholes and 3 alphabets for names on school uniforms.

Bernette or Bernina?

The Bernina machines here are the Swiss 4 and 5 Series, built around the Bernina Hook, with a jumbo bobbin that holds about 70% more thread and a knee lifter that raises the foot so both hands stay on the work.

• B435: the compact 4 Series model. 650 stitches, 5.5 mm width, 900 stitches a minute and 178 mm to the right of the needle.
• B475 QE: the Quilter's Edition, with 40 quilting stitches and the #37 patchwork foot for quarter-inch seams.
• B535: the 5 Series, with automatic thread cutter and tension, and a Sewing Consultant that suggests stitch, foot and tension for your fabric.

The step up makes most sense if you sew most days or quilt. For hems, repairs and simple dressmaking, a bernette does the job.

Quilts, embroidery or straight seams?

The b77 has 500 stitches and dual feed, which moves the top layer as well as the bottom so quilt layers, velvet and stripes stay in line. The b08 sews straight stitch only, at up to 1,600 stitches a minute, with 230 mm of space to the right of the needle. Quilters and bag makers choose it on purpose. The b79 sews and embroiders in one body, with a 260 x 160 mm embroidery area. The b70 DECO embroiders only and does not sew seams.

The overlockers listed here finish seams alongside a sewing machine, not instead of one. See overlocking and coverstitch machines.

Try before you choose

We sell and service these machines in our shops, and you can sit down and sew on one before you decide. Bring a piece of the fabric you sew most, so you can feel how each machine handles it.