The Ideal Mechanical Sewing Machine for Beginners
Bernette might not be the most well-known brand, but they’ve got their niche. They have some nice innovative design, quality construction and their machines are affordable to the average consumer.
They also lean more towards re-inventing some more retro ideas which can be seen in a few of their products and this is one of them.
The Bernette 33 uses a spin on the traditional mechanical design to deliver a modernized version of a mechanical sewing machine which stands shoulder-to-shoulder with computerized sewing machines.
How does it manage to do that?
Well, keep reading to get to my complete Bernette 33 review and find out!
The Bernette 33 at a Glance
If you want to know the basics of this machine, this chart is where you’ll get all the info on its specs.
To find out more about it, keep reading and make sure you don’t miss my full Bernette 33 review!
The 4 Most Important Features of the Bernette 33
Even mechanical machines have a ton of features these days, and it might be a bit difficult to go through them all. Here, I’ll highlight 4 of the most important features that this machine has to offer.
15 Built-in Stitches
This machine comes with 15 built-in stitches which might not seem like a lot compared to some machines which have hundreds, but for a machine like this, it’s plenty.
Among these are some utility stitches as well as a buttonhole.
5 Different Sewing Feet
This machine comes with five different sewing feet included, covering all the basics. There’s a zigzag foot, a buttonhole foot, a blind stitch foot, a zipper foot, and a button-sew-on foot.
That’s more than enough to get started with some of the basics, and you can do a lot without those sewing feet.
Semi-automatic Needle Threader
This threader doesn’t work completely independently, but it does make things easier. It catches the thread and pulls it through the eye of the needle for you; you only need to direct it a bit. It’s easy to do, and there are detailed instructions included in the manual.
Good Accessories
Besides the sewing feet, you also get a few other accessories with this machine. This includes 3 bobbins, a seam ripper, a needle set and a foot controller. It’s not a lot, but all of it is good and useful.
Other Features of the Bernette 33
While the features I highlighted are the most important ones, that doesn’t mean that the rest are insignificant. Here’s everything else that the Bernette 33 can offer:
- Manual thread-cutter
- 2-step presser foot lift
- Built-in storage compartment
- Adjustable stitch width
- Auto reverse lever
- 10-year warranty
My Complete Bernette 33 Review
The first thing to note about this machine is that it’s not a computerized sewing machine, but a mechanical one. It’s operated with a foot pedal, and the speed is a bit more difficult to control, but with time it offers better control.
Other controls are managed through dials instead of something like a touchscreen, and you don’t have as many options to choose from.
However, that can be beneficial – this machine is definitely easier to use than most computerized models, which is one of the things that makes it an ideal sewing machine for beginners.
It’s got 15 built-in stitches which is more than enough to cover the essentials of sewing, along with the 5 included sewing feet. You can also adjust the width and length of the stitches for added versatility.
Even though this is a machine best-suited for beginners, that doesn’t mean it lacks power. It’s a real heavy-duty sewing machine, and it can easily rip through multiple layers of fabric as well as things like jeans and leather.
This, combined with its 2-step foot lift feature, makes it great for doing things like quilting and sewing thick fabrics since it provides more space under the sewing foot.
It’s fast as well, with a maximum speed of 860 stitches per minute, which you can manage with the foot controller.
The downside to this is that it is a bit noisy while working, though it doesn’t vibrate too much and it won’t ‘walk’ around the table if it’s not bolted down.
The construction is sturdy, which is to be expected from a machine like this with a middle-of-the-road price point, but it’s still worth noting. I’ve bought too many overpriced hunks of plastic that fell apart within months.
There are a few other nice quality-of-life features worth mentioning here. The auto reverse lever works well and allows you to reinforce your stitches with ease. The manual thread cutter is sharp and easy to access. The built-in storage compartment has a decent amount of room.
The best thing is probably the semi-automatic needle threader, which works a bit differently than most but I found it to be more consistent than completely automatic threaders.
It will take a hold of the thread and put it through the needle but you’ll still have to guide it a bit along the way. It’s fine and there are instructions on how to use it in the manual.
It’s all well and good, but there’s one huge downside to this machine. No matter the type of thread that you use, this machine manages to get it tangled up which jams it completely. You’ll have to clean up bird’s nests made out of thread all the time.
It’s a real problem but it isn’t a deal-breaker in my eyes, and this is still one of the best beginner mechanical sewing machines out there.
If you’ve never had a sewing machine before, this one will offer more than enough options to start with, and it will definitely stay in good shape for years and years to come.
The Pros and Cons of the Bernette 33 Sewing Machine
I understand that you’d want to get the basics about the machine, even if you can’t read the full review. So, in short, here’s what I think is good and bad about the Bernette 33 sewing machine.
Pros
- Solid, durable construction
- Easy to use for anyone
- The stitch width is adjustable
- A good selection of built-in stitches
- Strong and fast
- Comes with all the basics you will need
Cons
- Thread often bunches up and jams it
- Quite noisy when working
The Conclusion
Now, with all that said there’s only one thing left – to tell you whether I think Bernette 33 Sewing Machine is worth buying.
Well, I think that it’s definitely worth buying if you’re a beginner since it offers all the options you might need, it’s easy to use, and it will easily survive some common beginner mistakes. It’s sturdy, so it will last for a long time to come.
There are some kinks you will have to work out while using it, but you’ll surely find a lot of good use for it, and it won’t be too much of a hassle. None of the negatives are complete deal breakers, in my opinion.
However, no matter what I think, the final decision should be yours. So, what do you think? Does this machine seem good to you? Tell me in the comments and ask any questions you might have – I’ll answer them soon.
Thank you for reading and until next time, keep sewing!