Bernina 560 E Sewing and Embroidery Machine Review

Fully computerized machine for sewing and embroidery

Swiss products are renowned for their precision and durability, and Bernina sewing machines are not an exception. BERNINA International AG has a tradition that is 120 years long. Moreover, this Swiss family-owned company is one of the most appreciated sewing and embroidery machine manufacturers in the world. It is also the only sewing machine manufacturer that has kept its production in the western hemisphere.

Bernina 560 E justifies the renowned name of the BERNINA company. It is an ultra-modern machine that will help the contemporary people with a passion for sewing put their creative ideas into practice.

If you are a multi-talented person looking for a high-end, feature-packed, and fully computerized machine that is suitable for sewing, quilting, and embroidering, you must read my Bernina 560 E review as it might be what you have dreamed of!

The Bernina 560 E Sewing Machine Specs Table

The Bernina 560 E sewing machine is a serious investment in your creativity and sewing business not only due to its high price but also for all the time you have to put into discovering everything it can be used for.

If you want to take a quick look, here is some basic info about this Bernina sewing machine:

If you’re interested in learning more, take a look at my detailed Bernina 560 E review below. It lists all the positives and negatives so that you can make an informed decision.

The Top Features of The Bernina 560 E Sewing Machine

I am afraid that with so many features Bernina 560 E provides, it can be a little intimidating to potential buyers, especially beginners. For this reason, I have decided to break things down for you and create a list of its most prominent features.

An Amazing Range of Stitches

Whatever your main interest is, be it to sew, quilt or embroider, the Bernina 560 E has a varied range of stitches for you to try out. When it comes to sewing, there are as many as 676 stitches to choose from. If you prefer embroidery – you have 160 embroidery stitches at your disposal.

The maximum stitch width is 9 mm while the maximum stitch length is 5 mm. Thanks to all this you can complete almost any sewing, quilting or embroidering project thrown at you and be as creative and decorative as you wish.

Stitch Regulator

This machine features a patented Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) that serves to keep all the stitches you make the same length. It works for both zig-zag and free-hand stitching.
The best news is that this presser foot works even when you do not feed the material at a constant speed. As a result, your stitches will always be of equal length, no matter your experience.

Computerized Features & Colorful Touch Screen

The Bernina 560 E sewing machine offers an array of computerized features. The good news for all of you technophiles out there is that you can access all of these features by an easy-to-operate touch screen.

Several tutorials can help you start using this machine and complete your projects. The patterns can be customized to your preference too. Once you master all the options, you will be able to not only set the size of a certain pattern but also rotate it or mirror it. I am sure all the craftspeople will like this.

Once you adjust the stitches or embroidery design to your liking, you can use the memory function to save the changes in the computer or download them to external memory (USB or your computer).

Automatic Needle Threader & Thread Cutter

Automatized features are always beneficial even if you are an expert sewist. Hence, you will be pleased to hear that Bernina 560 E comes with an automatic needle threader and thread cutter

An automatic needle threader is, in essence, a lever that guides the thread through the eye of the sewing needle and saves you from the trouble of having to that yourself. As a bonus, the automatic thread cutter automatically cuts the thread after locking a stitch and saves even more of your time and effort.

Free-Hand Presser Foot

Bernina 560 E is a real cake with a cherry on top – and that cherry is the free-hand presser foot. In combination with all the automatized features, the free-hand presser foot allows you to complete your sewing projects almost effortlessly.

The Knee lifter/Free-Hand System (FHS) allows you to operate the machine with your knee and thus leave your hands free. It is most helpful when you work with delicate fabrics or extra heavy ones that you need to control with both your hands.

How does this FHS work?

It raises the presser foot and lowers the feed dog, thus creating more space and allowing for even stitch pattern on garments you are sewing.

Accessories

The Bernina 560 E sewing, embroidery, and quilting machine is bound to have a plethora of accessories to be able to do all that it is designed to do.

First of all, there is a slide-on free-arm table and a choice of sewing feet for you to use including the overlock foot for perfect seams and hems, buttonhole foot for identical buttonholes, reverse-pattern foot, zipper foot, blindstitch foot, and open embroidery foot.

The embroidery module that comes with this unit is what transforms the Bernina sewing machine into the embroidery machine and allows for breathtaking embroidery results. There is a selection of embroidery hoops of different shape and size that are compatible with this machine and can help you become an embroidery expert.

You also receive two stylish carrying bags – one for the sewing machine an one for the precious embroidery module. They allow for safe transport but also protect these units at home. The well-thought-out compartments enable you to organize the accessories such as needles, thread, templates, and scissors.

The Rest of the Bernina 560 E Features

Besides the already mentioned features, the Bernina 560 E also offers:

• One-click switch to alternate between sewing and embroidering
• Start/stop button to stitch without the foot control
• Memory function
• Bobbin winding while sewing or embroidering
• 70 embroidery patterns and five alphabets
• Tutorials
• USB interface for PC connection and USB data stick
• Accessories box with everything you need to get started
• Two hoops: the medium hoop (approx. 4″ x 5″) and the large oval hoop (approx. 5.7 ” x 10″)
• 20-year limited warranty.

My Complete Bernina 560 E Review

The Bernina 560 E sewing, embroidery, and quilting machine is simple enough to be used by the beginners but, at the same time, it offers enough features for the experts.

The tutorials help the newbies get into the game quickly, but the written manuals could be a bit simplified as they may feel a bit intimidating and overwhelming, especially for the first time users.

The freedom to adjust or create your own patterns and designs paired with a wide range of tools make this machine suitable for people who are creative, proactive, and innovative. If you are not such a person, Bernina 560 E can easily turn you into one as it sparks interest and inspires users to become a better version of themselves.

The price is not low by any means, but if you consider the quality of making, all the innovative features and new technologies, as well as all the accessories, you will surely realize that the price tag is more than reasonable.

Bernina 560 E is a great tool even if you work on big projects thanks to the slide-on free-arm table. This add-on table is excellent for quilting as well, and when you are done, you can simply slide it right back off.

I have already listed most of the accessories you will receive with this computerizes sewing machine. You will even receive bobbins and needles to start sewing right away. No additional investment required!

Is Bernina 560 E perfect?

It is close to perfection. It is a luxury machine, well built and feature-packed. The best thing is that it is made to last and 20-year guarantee is there to back that up. Who knows, you might even pass it on to your son or daughter one day!

Although some of you (the lucky ones) might not agree with me, the high price is the biggest fault of this machine as it is pricier than many. There is one more minor fault I have already mentioned – the overly complicated instruction manual.

The Pros and Cons of The Bernina 560 E Sewing Machine

Conclusion

If you are searching for a sewing machine that can help you shine in all your sewing, embroidering, and quilting art projects, but you do not want it to be overly complicated, the Bernina 560 E might be perfect sewing and crafting machine for you.

Although it costs a small fortune, it is actually a bargain as it offers an amazing array of features and accessories. If you can afford it, I recommend it! If not, there is no need to despair; there are many budget-friendly options that do a great job too!