Bernette B38

Description

A big jump up from a starter machine

Most people come to us for the b38 for the same reason. Their first machine has done its job, but they keep bumping into its limits, whether that is a stitch it does not have or a buttonhole that never quite comes out right. The b38 clears all of that in one go. It is the flagship of bernette’s 30 series, which means you get the complete stitch library and the comfort features rather than a cut down version of them.

394 stitches, including the ones you will actually use

There are 394 stitches on board: 20 practical stitches for everyday construction, 67 decorative stitches, and 8 different one step buttonholes. That buttonhole range is the part people notice first. You choose the style, the machine measures it against your button and sews both sides to match, every time, so shirts and jackets look finished rather than homemade.

Maximum stitch width is 7mm, which gives your satin stitch and decorative work real presence on the fabric.

Three alphabets built in

Label your quilts, add a name to a bag, date a christening gown. Three alphabets are stored in the machine, and the memory function lets you save a stitch or letter combination so you can sew it again later without setting it up from scratch.

Comfort features that make long sessions easier

The automatic thread cutter trims top and bobbin threads and ties off at the touch of a button, which sounds like a small thing until you have sewn fifty seams without reaching for scissors once. There is also a manual cutter on the machine head, a needle threader, needle stop up or down, and a start and stop button so you can sew without the foot control if that suits you better.

Speed is set on the LCD display, so you can slow the machine right down for tricky corners and open it up to its full 820 stitches per minute on long straight seams. The LED light sits right over the needle and stays cool.

Happy with stretch and heavy fabrics alike

Presser foot pressure is adjustable, which is the feature that quietly solves most fabric problems. Wind it down for jersey and fine fabrics so they feed without stretching, wind it up for canvas and denim. Paired with the machine’s stretch stitches, jersey T shirts and knitwear come out looking shop bought rather than puckered.

There is also double needle safety built in, so the machine limits the stitch width and protects your needles when you switch to twin needle work.

Room to work

You get 170mm of space to the right of the needle, plenty for most quilting and dressmaking, and the extension table is included as standard rather than sold as an extra. Slide it off and you have a free arm for cuffs, sleeves and trouser hems. The drop in bobbin sits under a clear cover so you can see your thread level at a glance.

Specification

What’s included

• Eight snap on presser feet: zigzag (A), overlock (C), zipper (E), satin stitch (F), open toe (F2), blind stitch (G), buttonhole with slide (R), button sew on (T)
• Extension table
• Hard cover
• Foot control
• Four bobbins
• Needle assortment
• Spool pins and discs
• Seam ripper, brush and screwdriver
• Instruction manual