Bernina Sewing Machines: Brand Overview, History, and Models

Brand overview

Bernina is a family-owned Swiss sewing machine company founded in Steckborn in 1893 by Fritz Gegauf and named after Piz Bernina, a mountain in Switzerland. It remains one of the largest privately held sewing machine companies in the world. The lineup focuses on home sewing, embroidery, quilting, and related software, with a reputation for premium build quality and dealer support. In the US alone, Bernina works with hundreds of independent dealers trained on the machines.

Headquarters stay in Steckborn, a small Swiss town of roughly 5,000 people, many of whom work for the company. Machines are designed, developed, and tested there. Not everything is built in Switzerland, though. Some models are produced in Thailand. Worldwide, Bernina employs more than 1,200 people, with around 300 in Steckborn in R&D, product development, and corporate roles.

Brief history

Karl Friedrich Gegauf founded the business in 1893 around a hemstitch sewing machine. By 1900 the workshop had grown into a small factory with more than 70 employees. Karl Friedrich led the technical side while his brother Georg handled the business. After his death, his sons continued the company. The Bernina trade name was used as machines moved into broader production in the early 1930s. The first zigzag sewing machine arrived in 1938, followed by a portable zigzag model in 1945. In 1989 the company launched Bernette, which continues today as a separate, more accessible brand. In the mid-1990s Bernina introduced its first computerized sewing machine with the artista 180. More detail is on Bernina’s own history page.

What the brand is known for

Bernina is known for premium sewing, embroidery, and quilting systems, plus sergers and embroidery software. The company slogan is “Stepping into the future with the quality of the past.” Family ownership has continued since the founding. Buyers often choose Bernina when they want a long-term machine with strong dealer training and a clear step-up path through the numbered series.

Bernette: related brand, different positioning

Bernette is a standalone brand and a Bernina subsidiary. The name was created in 1989 when the Odette line was renamed Bernette, combining Odette Ueltschi-Gegauf’s first name with Bernina. It is positioned below full Bernina models for beginners and intermediate sewists. See our Bernette brand page for the full lineup.

Where Bernina machines are made

Bernina once built everything in Switzerland. After 1990 it also opened a plant in Thailand for lower-range models.

Switzerland

Top-of-the-line sewing machines are made in Steckborn, including Series 7 and 8 models and longarm quilting machines. The Swiss plant also produces spare parts for series products.

Thailand

Entry-level through mid-range Bernina sewing machines are made in Thailand, along with Q Series models. The Thailand plant opened in 1990 and has been expanded three times, including a newer factory opened on 12 January 2015 for higher volume and more advanced machines.

Product lines and machine categories

Below are Bernina sewing, quilting, embroidery, and overlocker machines commonly referenced in the US and related markets. Where we have reviewed a model, the name links to that review. Lineups change over time, and availability varies by dealer. Letter suffixes on model names usually mean:

• E: Embroidery. Includes an embroidery module and a larger embroidery area.
• QE: Quilter’s Edition, with extra quilting features.
• QE E: Quilter’s Edition with an embroidery module.
• Kaffe Edition: Special edition designed with Kaffe Fassett, with vibrant colors inspired by the Millefiore fabric print.
• Plus: Extra features such as a larger sewing or embroidery area, or an extra-large bobbin.
• Crystal Edition: Top-tier version that includes a Crystal Suitcase with Swarovski crystals for sewing onto projects.

Computerized sewing machines

Bernina’s main sewing lines are organized by series number. The 3 and 4 Series are popular entry and mid-range computerized machines for everyday sewing and light quilting.

Bernina 3 Series

• Bernina 325
• Bernina 335

Bernina 4 Series

• Bernina 435
• Bernina 480

Bernina 5 Series

• Bernina 500
• Bernina 535
• Bernina 535 E
• Bernina 590
• Bernina 590 E
• Bernina 590 Crystal Edition

Quilting and large-workspace machines

Quilter’s Edition (QE) and larger-workspace Bernina models for quilt piecing, free-motion work, and bigger projects.

• Bernina 475 QE
• Bernina 475 QE Kaffe Edition
• Bernina 570 QE
• Bernina 570 QE E
• Bernina 770 QE
• Bernina 770 QE E
• Bernina 770 QE PLUS
• Bernina 770 QE PLUS Kaffe Edition

Sewing and embroidery machines

Higher-end Bernina machines that combine advanced sewing with embroidery options, including 7 Series and 8 Series models.

Bernina 7 Series

• Bernina 700 E
• Bernina 740
• Bernina 790 PLUS
• Bernina 790 PLUS SE
• Bernina 790 PLUS Crystal Edition

Bernina 8 Series

• Bernina 880 PLUS
• Bernina 880 PLUS Crystal Edition

Embroidery machines

Dedicated and multi-needle embroidery options for sewists focused on embroidery production.

• Bernina E 16 PLUS

Overlockers and coverstitch machines

Bernina L Series overlockers and combo machines for finishing seams and coverstitch work.

• Bernina L 450
• Bernina L 460
• Bernina L 850
• Bernina L 860
• Bernina L 890

Older and discontinued models

Older entry Bernina models that are no longer the main current lineup in many markets.

• Bernina 215 Simply Red

Frequently asked questions about Bernina sewing machines

• Where are Bernina sewing machines made?
  Entry-level through mid-range models (up through parts of the 7 Series range, depending on the model) are manufactured in Thailand. Top-of-the-range Series 7 and 8 machines are made in Steckborn, Switzerland.
• Are Bernette and Bernina the same brand?
  Bernette is a subsidiary of Bernina. They are two brands under the same company.
• Is Bernette made by Bernina?
  Yes. Bernette sewing machines, overlockers, and coverstitch machines are made by Bernina.
• Is Bernina better than Janome?
  It depends on what you sew. Bernina is a strong choice for many regular sewing and quilting needs. For a serger or overlocker, Janome is also a brand many sewists consider.
• When was Bernina founded?
  Bernina was founded in 1893 by Fritz Gegauf in Switzerland.
• Is Bernina the best sewing machine brand?
  Bernina is widely regarded as one of the top premium brands. Other well-known quality brands include Pfaff, Brother, Janome, and Singer. The best choice depends on your projects and budget.
• Is Bernina the most reliable brand?
  Bernina builds solid machines, especially the higher-end models produced in Switzerland. Reliability also depends on maintenance and how you use the machine.
• What is the best Bernina sewing machine to buy?
  It depends on your main sewing type (garment sewing, quilting, embroidery, and so on) and which series features you need.
• What is the cheapest Bernina sewing machine?
  Among models listed here, the Bernina 215 Simply Red is the basic entry machine and typically the lowest-priced option in the lineup.