Product · Bernette
Bernette 38: thread cutter and automatic tie-off
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The Bernette 38 is aimed at people sewing garments and home furnishings who are tired of snipping threads and backstitching by hand at every seam end. Its defining feature is the pairing of an automatic thread cutter with an automatic tie-off, two jobs that usually separate a basic computerised machine from a more comfortable one. It also arrives with an extension table, which is useful for wider projects.
- Type
- Computerised sewing
- Stitches
- Not stated
- Buttonhole
- Not stated
- Key extra
- Thread cutter, auto tie-off
- Weight
- 9.82 kg
In its favour
- An automatic thread cutter and tie-off finish each seam neatly at the press of a button.
- Adjustable presser foot pressure suits fabrics from fine to thick.
- An extension table and a full accessory set are included.
Good to know
- The listing does not give the stitch count or buttonhole styles.
- Some listing text mentions embroidery, but it has no embroidery unit.
Our take
What the listing actually describes
Bernette presents the 38 as a computerised machine with an LCD display for choosing stitches and adjusting settings. The bullets name an automatic thread cutter, an automatic tie-off function, adjustable presser foot pressure, LED lighting and a basic serger-style stitch for finishing raw edges.
What it does not give is a stitch count or a buttonhole description. For a machine sold partly on dressmaking, that is a real gap, so check the stitch chart with a dealer if you need a particular buttonhole shape.
Thread cutting and tie-off in daily sewing
On a dress or shirt you might finish forty or fifty seams. A cutter that trims the threads at the push of a button, plus a tie-off that locks the stitch without reversing, saves time on every one and keeps seam ends neat. It also means fewer thread tails caught under the next seam.
Adjustable foot pressure helps when you move from a fine lining to a heavier cotton drill, because you can lighten the foot on slippery cloth and increase it on thicker layers.
Accessories and workspace
The listing mentions needles, bobbins, spools, several presser feet and a foot hoop, along with the extension table. The table widens the bed for curtains and quilt blocks. The spec table gives the weight as 9.82 kg and the material as metal, so this is not a featherweight to carry to class each week.
Against the b35 and the dressmaking alternatives
Within the Bernette range, the b35 is the simpler sibling with a one-step buttonhole and a lighter 7.15 kg body, but its listing names no thread cutter. For dressmakers who want stated feed help, the Pfaff Passport 3.0 has built-in IDT dual feed and the Juki HZL-G220 lists box feed with 8 automatic buttonholes, both clearer on paper than the 38.
The Brother Innov-is F420 is another dressmaking option worth a look, since its listing pairs a thread cutter with box feed for jersey. If you sew a lot of knits, that stated feed system may matter more than the 38's tie-off.
Verdict
Choose the Bernette 38 if trimming threads and locking seams automatically matter more to you than a long, published stitch list. If you want buttonhole and feed details spelled out before you buy, the Juki HZL-G220 or Pfaff Passport 3.0 give you more to go on, and the Bernette b35 suits a lighter, simpler setup.
Compared with alternatives in: Bernette sewing machines compared, Best sewing machines for dressmaking
Amazon listing title: Bernette 38 Swiss Design Computerized Sewing Machine