The Bernette 68 Airlock brings together two powerful functions—overlock and coverstitch—into one well-built, thoughtfully designed machine. It’s part of Bernette’s 60 series, which is known for offering solid, user-friendly machines that appeal to both newer sewists and those with more experience. Backed by BERNINA’s reputation for precision and durability, this model sits comfortably in the mid-to-high-end range and delivers plenty of value for the price.
Whether you’re finishing garments, working with knits, or exploring decorative hems and seams, the 68 Airlock provides a reliable and efficient sewing experience.
Bernette 68 Overview
At first glance, the bernette 68 Airlock stands out thanks to its dual functionality. A machine that combines both overlocking and coverstitching—plus air threading—sounded promising. After spending time putting it through its paces on a variety of fabrics and projects, it’s clear this is more than just a convenience machine. It’s built to handle serious sewing with minimal hassle.
Key Features
One of the main highlights here is the air threading system. Loopers can be notoriously tricky to thread, especially for beginners or anyone with dexterity challenges. With the 68 Airlock, threading is quick and frustration-free—just push a lever and the machine uses air to guide the thread into place.
In terms of workspace, there’s about 5 inches to the right of the needle, which makes a noticeable difference when working on larger projects, especially during coverstitching. It also comes with:
- 31 built-in stitch options
- An integrated freearm (great for sleeves and cuffs)
- Bright LED lighting across the workspace
- A knee lifter to raise the presser foot without using your hands
Altogether, these features contribute to a smoother, more comfortable sewing experience, especially when working on more complex tasks. For a full list of features that the bernette 68 Airlock has, see the Feature Table at the bottom of the page.
Sewing Features and Stitches
This machine is equipped to handle a wide range of sewing needs, thanks to its extensive stitch options. From basic seams to detailed finishing, the stitch quality remains consistently clean and secure.
Overlock Stitches
The overlock stitch options are well-rounded and cover the essentials:
- 4-Thread Overlock: Offers a strong, flexible seam—ideal for everyday garment construction.
- 3-Thread Overlock (Wide/Narrow): A reliable choice for clean edge finishes, especially on woven fabrics.
- 3-Thread Flatlock (Wide/Narrow): Useful for decorative seams or when you want the fabric to lay flat.
- 3-Thread Rolled Hem: Great for lightweight fabrics like chiffon and voile, providing a neat narrow hem.
- 2-Thread Overlock (Wide/Narrow): A lighter option, useful for fine fabrics or lower-bulk finishes.
Coverstitches
Coverstitching is essential for knits, and this machine handles it well:
- 4-Thread Coverstitch: Adds strength and stretch—great for activewear or any fabric with a lot of movement.
- 3-Thread Coverstitch (Wide/Narrow): Offers versatility based on the project. Use narrow for finer details, wide for more coverage.
- 2-Thread Chainstitch: Perfect for seams that need flexibility or a decorative straight stitch look.
Combo stitches
Combo stitches let you apply both cover and overlock elements in one pass. With widths ranging from 7.8 to 12.6 mm, you get a lot of flexibility for both structural seams and decorative work. Being able to switch stitch types quickly without sacrificing quality makes this machine a good fit for anyone who likes experimenting with different sewing techniques.
Bernette also includes a helpful workbook specifically for cover and chain stitches, which is worth reviewing if you want to get the most out of these features.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Air Threading: Makes setup much faster and more beginner-friendly.
- Stitch Variety: Wide range of stitches covers everything from lightweight silks to heavier knits.
- User-Friendly Layout: Color-coded threading paths and a spacious layout help with ease of use.
- Lighting: Bright LEDs keep the workspace well-lit and reduce eye strain.
Cons:
- Initial Learning Curve: There’s a lot this machine can do, which may take some time to fully explore.
- Higher Price Tag: This is a premium machine, so it may be out of range for casual sewists or those on a budget.
Pricing
The Bernette 68 Airlock sits at the higher end of the price range, but considering the combination of overlock and coverstitch capabilities, plus features like air threading, it delivers solid value. If you’re someone who regularly works on garments or crafts with knits and stretch fabrics, this could easily become a workhorse in your sewing space.
Warranty and Manual
Bernette includes a clear, well-structured manual with the machine, which is helpful for both setup and learning the various stitches. The warranty offers standard coverage for parts and labor, adding peace of mind to your purchase. A quick-start guide is also included, which can be especially helpful when getting used to the machine’s threading and settings.
User manual can be found here and the quick start guide is available here.
Accessories Included
The included accessories are thoughtful and functional, making it easier to get started right away:
- Standard Overlock/Coverstitch Combo Foot: Versatile and efficient for switching between stitch types.
- Knife Cover: Keeps the blade safely out of the way when not needed.
- Coverstitch Inserts (including one for slide-on table): Helps stabilize fabric during coverstitching.
- Slide-on Table: Adds working space for larger projects.
- Freearm Cover: Handy for tubular projects like sleeves or cuffs.
- Knee Lifter: Allows hands-free presser foot lifting—especially helpful when handling tricky fabric.
- Spool Stand with Needle Pad: Keeps supplies organized.
- Decorative Thread Guide: Ensures smooth feeding of thicker or specialty threads.
- BERNINA CS Lock Tool: Helps with securing coverstitch ends neatly.
- Needle Set and Tweezers: A practical touch—especially useful for threading or swapping needles during projects.
Summary
The Bernette 68 Airlock is a well-designed, reliable machine for sewists who want the flexibility of both overlocking and coverstitching in one unit. It performs consistently across a variety of fabrics and offers convenience features that genuinely make a difference, like air threading and the knee lifter.
While it may be an investment, the build quality and stitch variety make it a strong choice for anyone ready to upgrade or expand their sewing capabilities. Whether you sew garments, home decor, or stretch-heavy items like activewear, the 68 Airlock offers the tools to get professional results with less setup hassle.
Have you tried the Bernette 68? Feel free to share your experience below!
Feature Table
Below is the Bernette 68 Airlock’s feature list, that shows all the features on this exceptional machine. This table is your helps to understand the full scope of what the Bernette 68 Airlock offers, covering its advanced functionalities, design innovations, and the comprehensive set of accessories included.
| 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 | ✓ |