The Bernette 68 AIRLOCK combines overlock and coverstitch in one machine. It is the top model in Bernette‘s 60 series, aimed at sewists who want both seam finishing and knit hems without owning two separate units. Bernette sits under the BERNINA umbrella, and this model lands in the mid-to-upper range for home combo machines.
If you finish garments, sew knits, or use coverstitch hems often, the b68 is built for that kind of work. Air threading for the loopers, a freearm, and a useful amount of space to the right of the needle make it practical rather than just feature-heavy on paper. In the US it usually sells in the higher end of Bernette’s serger lineup, so check the product box below for the current dollar price.
Key Features of the Bernette 68 AIRLOCK
What sets the b68 apart in the 60 series is the dual role: overlock, coverstitch, chainstitch, and combo stitches on one bed. After running it on mixed fabrics and projects, it feels like a real work machine, not just a convenience gadget.
Main points at a glance:
- 31 built-in stitches (overlock, cover, chain, and combo)
- Automatic air threader for looper threads
- About 130 mm (5 in) of space to the right of the needle
- Integrated freearm for sleeves, cuffs, and other tubular pieces
- 5 LED lights over the work area
- Knee lifter (Free Hand System)
- Micro Thread Control (mtc)
- Up to 1,300 stitches per minute
- Overlock width about 3 to 7 mm; coverstitch about 2.8 / 5.6 mm; combo about 7.8 to 12.6 mm
Looper threading is the usual pain point on sergers. On the b68 you push a lever and air pulls the looper thread into place, which helps beginners and anyone who finds wire threading awkward. The 5 in (130 mm) of space to the right of the needle is especially useful for coverstitching larger pieces. For the full list, see the Feature Table at the bottom of this review.
Stitches and Sewing Options
Stitch quality stayed clean and secure across the fabrics we tried. You get the everyday seams plus enough specialty options for decorative edges and knit hems.
Overlock stitches
The overlock side covers the essentials:
- 4-thread overlock: Strong, flexible seam for everyday garment construction
- 3-thread overlock (wide/narrow): Clean edge finishes, especially on woven fabrics
- 3-thread flatlock (wide/narrow): Decorative seams or flat joins
- 3-thread rolled hem: Narrow hems on light fabrics such as chiffon or voile
- 2-thread overlock (wide/narrow): Lower-bulk finishes on finer fabrics
Coverstitches
Coverstitching is where this machine earns its keep on knits:
- 4-thread coverstitch: Extra strength and stretch for activewear and high-movement fabrics
- 3-thread coverstitch (wide/narrow): Narrow for finer details, wide for more coverage
- 2-thread chainstitch: Flexible seams or a decorative straight-stitch look
Combo stitches
Combo stitches apply cover and overlock elements in one pass. Widths run from about 7.8 to 12.6 mm (roughly 5/16 to 1/2 in), so you get room for structural seams and decorative work. Being able to change stitch types without fighting the machine makes it easier to try different finishing methods on the same project.
Bernette also publishes a workbook for cover and chain stitches that is worth reading if you want to get more out of those modes.
Setup and Ease of Use
Color-coded threading paths and the air threader make setup much less intimidating than a fully manual serger. Needle threading is still manual, but the loopers are the part most people struggle with, and that is the part air threading solves. A safety switch stops the machine when the cover is open.
Bernette includes a clear manual and a quick-start guide. The manual is useful for both initial setup and learning stitch settings. You can download the user manual and the quick start guide if you want to preview them before buying. Warranty coverage varies by US dealer, so confirm parts and labor terms with the seller.
Included Accessories
The accessory kit is practical and gets you sewing without an immediate trip to the store:
- Standard overlock/coverstitch combo foot
- Knife cover
- Coverstitch inserts (including one for the slide-on table)
- Slide-on table
- Freearm cover
- Knee lifter
- Spool stand with needle pad
- Decorative thread guide
- BERNINA CS Lock Tool (for securing coverstitch ends)
- Needle set and tweezers
Performance
On garments and knits, the machine stays consistent. Overlock seams look even when tension and mtc are set, and coverstitch hems hold stretch without looking loose or wavy when differential feed is adjusted properly. The bright LEDs help when you are watching the cut edge or aligning a coverstitch hem. The knee lifter keeps both hands on the fabric for curves and bulky joins.
Switching between overlock and coverstitch modes takes a few setup steps (upper looper on/off, knife, coverstitch insert), so it is not instantaneous. Once you learn the sequence, it becomes routine. Top speed of 1,300 spm is enough for long seams; you will still want a slower pace for coverstitch hems and fine fabrics.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Air threading speeds up looper setup and lowers the frustration barrier
- 31 stitches cover overlock, cover, chain, and combo work in one footprint
- Freearm, knee lifter, slide-on table, and good lighting support real projects
- Color-coded paths and a clear manual make the learning path manageable
Limitations
- There is a lot to learn; combo machines take time to explore fully
- Higher price than a basic overlocker; casual sewists may not need the coverstitch side
- Mode changes between overlock and coverstitch are not one-button swaps
- Needle threading remains manual
Ideal User
The b68 fits sewists who regularly make garments or stretch-heavy items (activewear, knits, T-shirts) and want overlock plus coverstitch without two machines. Newer sewists can manage it because of air threading and color coding, but you should expect a learning period. If you only need edge finishing, the b64 is the simpler, lower-cost path. If cover hems matter to your work, this is the 60-series model to look at.
Manuals, warranty, and registration
Manuals: Download manuals from bernette.com support resources or your regional dealer.
US: US warranty and registration typically run through authorized bernette / BERNINA dealers. Keep your dated receipt.
UK / EU: Confirm warranty length and registration with your local bernette dealer or national distributor.
Official site: bernette.
Verdict
The Bernette 68 AIRLOCK is a well-designed, reliable combo machine for sewists who want overlocking and coverstitching in one unit. It performs consistently across a range of fabrics, and the convenience features (air threading, knee lifter, lighting, freearm) make a real difference in daily use. It is an investment, but the build quality and stitch variety make it a strong upgrade if you are ready to expand beyond a basic serger. Check current US pricing below, and confirm warranty details with your dealer.
Have you tried the Bernette 68? Feel free to share your experience below.
Feature Table
The table below lists the Bernette 68 AIRLOCK features in one place: stitch options, comfort functions, and the main accessories that ship with the machine.
| Model | 68 Airlock |
|---|---|
| Stitches | Combo |
| Total number of stitch patterns | 31 |
| 4-thread overlock | ✓ |
| 3-thread overlock (wide/narrow) | ✓ |
| 3-thread super-stretch stitch | ✓ |
| 3-thread flatlock (wide/narrow) | ✓ |
| 3-thread narrow seam | ✓ |
| 3-thread rolled hem | ✓ |
| 3-thread picot stitch | ✓ |
| 2-thread overlock (wide/narrow) | ✓ |
| 2-thread flatlock (wide/narrow) | ✓ |
| 2-thread rolled hem | ✓ |
| 2-thread wrapped overlock (wide/narrow) | ✓ |
| 4-thread coverstitch | ✓ |
| 3-thread coverstitch (wide/narrow) | ✓ |
| 2-thread chainstitch | ✓ |
| 5-thread safety stitch | ✓ |
| 4-thread safety stitch | ✓ |
| Comfort features | |
| Automatic air threader for looper threads | ✓ |
| Freearm with freearm cover | ✓ |
| Color-coded threading paths | ✓ |
| Stitch length adjustable while sewing | ✓ |
| Accessories under the looper cover | ✓ |
| Sewing light | 5 LEDs |
| Safety switch activated when cover is open | ✓ |
| Micro Thread Control (mtc) | ✓ |
| Free Hand System (FHS) including knee lifter | ✓ |
| Technical data | |
| Space to the right of the needle | 130 mm |
| Manual thread cutter | ✓ |
| Overlock stitch width 3-7 mm | ✓ |
| Coverstitch width 2,8 / 5,6 mm | ✓ |
| Combo stitch width 7,8-12,6 mm | ✓ |
| Maximum sewing speed (stitches per minute) | 1,300 |
| Standard accessories | |
| Standard overlock foot | – |
| Standard coverstitch foot | – |
| Standard overlock/coverstitch combo foot | ✓ |
| Deco thread guide | ✓ |
| Slide-on table | ✓ |
| Coverstitch insert for slide-on table | ✓ |
| Cut-offs bin | ✓ |