Choosing between the Bernette 05 Academy and the Bernette 37 comes up often for sewists who want a solid home machine without jumping into a high-end model. Both sit in the more approachable end of the Bernette lineup (see also bernette.com). The Academy is part of the newer Bernette 05 series, while the 37 belongs to the Bernette 30 series. A full feature table is at the bottom of this page.
Neither machine is trying to be a do-everything embroidery combo. They are practical options for getting started, classroom use, or light home sewing where you still want decent build quality and useful accessories.
Overview: Bernette 05 Academy
Key features of the Bernette 05 Academy:
- Sewing speed up to 1,100 stitches per minute (spm)
- 30 essential stitches
- Super stretch (Lycra) stitch and blanket stitch
- Finger guard
- 2 LED sewing lights
- Power switch with speed limitation
- High-quality extension table
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
The Bernette 05 Academy is a mechanical machine that shows up a lot in classrooms and beginner courses for a reason. Dial controls keep stitch length and width easy to set, the needle threader removes a common frustration, and the box usually includes a good set of feet plus an extension table. That table matters when you are piecing larger panels or simply want fabric to sit flat instead of hanging off the free arm.
You also get adjustable presser foot pressure, which helps when you move between thin cottons and thicker layers. The finger guard and speed-limited power switch are small touches that make sense in shared or teaching spaces. The tradeoff is clear: fewer decorative stitches and no computerized conveniences such as a start/stop button or needle stop up/down.
Overview: Bernette 37
Key features of the Bernette 37:
- LCD screen
- Sewing speed up to 700 spm
- Stitch overview and Quick Start Guide
- Five different buttonholes
- 50 stitches, including decorative and quilting stitches
- 7 mm stitch width
- Start/Stop button
- Speed regulator
The Bernette 37 is a computerized model from the Bernette 30 series. Stitch choices live on an LCD rather than dials, and the built-in decorative and quilting stitches give you more options for garments, home decor, and light quilting. Front speed control, a start/stop button, and a tie-off function make piecing and detailed work less dependent on the foot pedal.
It is slower than the Academy at a maximum of 700 spm, and it does not include the Academy’s extension table or adjustable presser foot pressure as standard. For many home sewists, the extra stitch variety and computerized helpers matter more than raw speed.
Bernette 37 vs Bernette 05 Academy: How They Differ
These two machines serve different preferences more than different skill labels. Here is how the main differences play out at the sewing table:
- Machine type: The b05 Academy is mechanical, so settings stay on knobs and levers. That can feel more direct and durable for teaching or occasional use. The b37 is computerized, which makes stitch selection and some helper functions easier once you are past the learning curve of the screen.
- Hook system: Both use a drop-in bobbin system, which is usually easier to load and check than a front-loading bobbin case.
- Workspace: The b37 offers slightly more space to the right of the needle (170 mm / about 6.7 in) than the b05 Academy (165 mm / about 6.5 in). The difference is small, but it can make larger pieces a little easier to manage.
- Screen and controls: The b37’s LCD helps with stitch selection and adjustments. The Academy has no screen and relies on manual dials.
- Sewing capabilities: The Academy is faster (1,100 spm vs 700 spm). The b37 offers more stitch patterns (50 vs 30), a wider maximum stitch width (7 mm vs 6 mm), and a longer maximum stitch length (5 mm vs 4 mm). That wider decorative range is the main reason many sewists prefer the 37 for varied projects.
- Computerized helpers: The b37 includes features the Academy does not, such as a start/stop button, needle stop up/down, twin needle capability, a speed regulator, and a 2-step presser foot lifter. Those matter when you are pivoting at corners, sewing without a pedal, or working with twin-needle hems.
- Presser foot pressure: The Academy lets you adjust presser foot pressure manually. The b37 does not, which can be a drawback on very thin or very thick fabrics.
- Accessories: The Academy ships with more presser foot soles (12 vs 5), plus an extension table and finger guard that are optional or unavailable with the b37. If you want more feet and table space out of the box, the Academy is ahead.
- Automatic conveniences: The b37 includes an automatic bobbin winder and automatic securing function that the Academy lacks, which can speed up everyday sewing.
Both are sensible starter or secondary machines. If you want simple dials, a lower budget, classroom-friendly extras, and higher top speed, the Bernette 05 Academy is the better fit. If you want more decorative stitches, an LCD, and computerized helpers for garment and project sewing, the Bernette 37 is the stronger pick. Check current pricing in the product boxes below, since street prices move with retailer stock.
Comparison Table
The table below lists the features of the Bernette b05 Academy and Bernette b37 side by side, from machine type and sewing speed through stitch options, adjustable settings, and included accessories.
| Model | 05 Academy | Bernette 37 |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Mechanical | Computerised |
| Hook system | Drop-in | Drop-in |
| Space to the right of the needle | 165 mm | 170 mm |
| Screen | – | LCD screen |
| Manual thread cutter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Presser foot pressure manually adjustable | ✓ | – |
| Upper thread tension manually adjustable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic thread cutter | – | – |
| Thread tension manually adjustable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Semi-automatic needle threader | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sewing light | 2 LEDs | LED |
| Sewing | ||
| Maximum sewing speed (stitches per minute) | 1100 spm | 700 spm |
| Start/Stop button | – | ✓ |
| Maximum stitch width | 6 mm | 7 mm |
| Maximum stitch length | 4 mm | 5 mm |
| Needle stop up/down | – | ✓ |
| Twin needle capability | – | ✓ |
| Speed regulator | – | ✓ |
| 2-step presser foot lifter | – | ✓ |
| Electric foot control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total number of stitch patterns | 30 | 50 |
| Retractable feed dog | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1-step buttonhole | ✓ | 5 (1 step) |
| Stitch width manually adjustable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stitch length manually adjustable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Super-stretch stitch/Lycra stitch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blanket stitch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Needle position manually adjustable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Retractable feed dog | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standard accessories | ||
| Total presser foot soles | 12 | 5 |
| Memory | – | – |
| Automatic bobbin winder | – | ✓ |
| Automatic securing function | – | ✓ |
| Height compensation tool | ✓ | – |
| Extension table | ✓ | Optional |
| Finger guard | ✓ | – |
| BERNINA needle set | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dust cover | – | Softcover |