Sewing for beginners

Discover the joy of sewing

Find your perfect beginner machine, tips and first projects

Have you ever wondered which BERNINA sewing machine you should buy as a beginner? Or which sewing projects are considered suitable for sewing beginners? Look no further, because BERNINA has it all covered!

BERNINA sewing machines for beginners Find a dealer to arrange a testdrive

Sewing machine for beginners – start your sewing journey with BERNINA

So you have decided to buy a sewing machine. What a great idea! You will be able to perform your own sewing projects easily and efficiently at home in the near future. Get all the information you need to begin sewing and discover our machines for beginners and start creating.

First of all, what makes a good sewing machine for beginners?

First of all, what makes a good sewing machine for beginners?

Ideally, a good sewing machine for beginners

  • is robust, sturdy and manufactured under high standards
  • offers features that make sewing easier
  • is user-friendly and intuitive
  • offers many practical stitches, but also decorative ornate stitches
  • grows with you and your skills

Let's have our expert Tiffany Pratt explain in the video, why she thinks that BERNINA is a good brand for beginners.

Watch Tiffany's testimonial
Tips to consider for purchasing a sewing machine

Tips to consider for purchasing a sewing machine

  • Budget: Consider your budget, remembering that higher-priced machines typically offer more features and greater durability.
  • Project Types: Consider the projects you will tackle; some machines cater to specific hobbies like quilting with specialized included accessories.
  • Space Requirements: Consider the space you have available for your sewing machine and your sewing area.
  • Frequency of Use: Assess how often and how intensively you will be sewing. 
  • Materials: You can sew any fabric with BERNINA, but certain functions make sewing specific fabrics even easier.
  • Creative Goals: Think about your creative aims. If you enjoy embroidery or quilting, seek machines with these capabilities or room for expansion.


Maybe you think that as a beginner you do not need all the different features and functions. That may be true, but would it not be great that your machine gives you pleasure and fits your standards and creative requirements even after many hours of sewing? And, that the machine has accompanied you all the creative path way? 

After all, as our expert, Annika Victoria says: "I know I have a new best friend with my BERNINA".

Watch Annika's testimonial


Why should you buy a BERNINA sewing machine as a beginner?

Maybe you were wondering if BERNINA machines are worth the money?
Or if BERNINA is good for beginners? Yes, absolutely!
Read more about what you can expect.

 

You'll get a robust machine

A durable machine ensures consistent performance and longevity, allowing you to handle various fabrics with ease, from delicate silks to heavy denims.

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You'll get support

BERNINA remains available to provide support and advice after purchase. Many of our dealers offer beginner classes and instructions, which will make it easier for you to get started.

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You'll have precise stitches

BERNINA machines handle thin, thick and experimental materials and sew several layers of fabric with a breeze. Thanks to unique BERNINA features, you will get optimal thread tension for perfect stitch quality.

You'll have an intuitive use

You can easily find all stitches and functions on the centrally located Color Touch Screen. Semi-automatic or automatic features, like buttonhole creation, simplify the sewing process.

You'll love the large sewing area

Modern BERNINA machines feature an included a slide-on-table which increases your sewing area. But even without the table, the sewing area gives you a good visibility of the sewing area.

You'll have a sewing companion

Whether you're stitching your first hem or crafting intricate designs, your sewing machine supports and grows with you, ensuring each creation reflects your unique vision.

You'll have a presser foot for any occasion

Every BERNINA sewing machine comes with a thought-through set of included presser feet which offer tremendous versatility right from the start.

Checklists for sewing beginners

Are you ready to embark on your sewing journey? If yes, there are a few tools you will need along the way. Or are you wondering what is the best way to get to know your BERNINA machine? We have an answer to that too! 

 

Basic sewing equipment checklist

Sewing with a sewing machine does not require much at all. There are, however, some really necessary tools that we recommend for starting your first sewing project that include: 
 
  • Fabric scissors
  • An iron
  • Fabric marker or chalk pen
  • Pins
  • Clear ruler
  • Hand sewing needles

If you want to read about the different equipment in more detail and to see our recommendations, head to the article on the BERNINA blog!

To the Blog article

Learning to sew for beginners

Here you’ll find a series of different articles with tips and tricks for sewing beginners as well as useful knowledge about different sewing techniques, patterns and sewing equipment.
Read about:

  • Sewing machine threading and thread tension
  • Different sewing materials
  • Basic techniques
  • Sewing patterns 
To the article series

Tips and resources for sewing beginners


 What would you say to exclusive tips and a workbook that guides you through the different creative options of BERNINA sewing machines?
That's what this section is exactly made for!

Start sewing successfully


Avoid common mistakes when starting to sew with the help of the exclusive tips from the BERNINA Training & Education Team. It tackles beginner's questions like why the thread is bunching or why the sewing machine is eating fabric.
 

To the tips

Workbook for sewing beginners

Learn to master your BERNINA Sewing machine as you work step-by-step through hands-on activities from the My BERNINA Sewing Mastery Workbook. You will learn to use the most important utility stitches on your machine. Also, you will learn about the many creative options of your machine. The best part about the workbook? It contains many video tutorials and is available for free!

To the sewing workbook

Free projects for sewing beginners

Get ready to have some fun learning to sew with these free patterns for sewing beginners. From coasters to shirts, this selection has it all!

 

Learn & Create

The BERNINA Learn & Create section offers ideas, free instructions, downloads and creative tips and tricks. Have a look at our selection of projects suitable for newbies and free sewing patterns for beginners from the Learn & Create section:

Find other projects

BERNINA Blog

The BERNINA blog brings creative people together! Find ideas and tips as well as instructions, advice, beautiful things and a one-of-a-kind sewing family. There you will also find many projects and how-tos for sewing beginners, including:

Find other projects on the blog

Curious to experience the magic of BERNINA sewing machines firsthand?

Come by for a consultation and try out various BERNINA machines yourself.
Find your nearest dealer in the store locator.

Where would you like to go from here?

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