Best Bernina Embroidery Machine for Beginners – Expert Review

You have watched hours of YouTube tutorials. You have pinned dozens of embroidery projects. But when you finally sit down at a machine, the thread breaks, the design shifts, and you wonder if you picked the wrong hobby — or the wrong machine.

Starting with embroidery feels overwhelming because the gap between “I want to make this” and “I actually made this” is filled with jargon, endless hoop options, and price tags that make you blink. A good beginner machine hides that complexity. It handles tension, stabilizer choices, and design transfers so you can focus on stitching, not fighting the hardware. Bernina and its subsidiary Bernette build machines known for precision and durability, but not every model suits a new embroiderer.

I have tested five machines that fit a beginner’s budget and skill level. Two are embroidery-only. Two combine sewing with embroidery. One is a more affordable combo option from Brother. Each has strengths and trade-offs. I will walk you through exactly who should buy each one and why.

Here is how they compare on the specs that matter most to a new user.

Feature	Bernette B70	Bernette B79 Combo	Brother SE700	Bernette B79 Deluxe	Brother SE700 Bundle
Machine Type	Embroidery Only	Combo Sew & Embroider	Combo Sew & Embroider	Combo Sew & Embroider	Combo Sew & Embroider
Max Hoop Size	6″ x 10″	6″ x 10″	4″ x 4″	6″ x 10″	4″ x 4″
Built-in Designs	208	300	135	300	135
Thread Included	160 spools	60 spools	No	130 spools	40 spools
Touch Screen	5″ Color	5″ Color	3.7″ Color	5″ Color	3.7″ Color

Bernette B70 Embroidery Only

If you have zero interest in sewing and only want to make embroidered patches, monograms, and decorative designs, the Bernette B70 is the purest option here. This machine does one thing, and it does it with a 6″ x 10″ hoop that is enormous for a beginner machine — big enough for a full back-pocket design or a small towel.

The most striking feature is the included 160 spools of premium polyester thread. That saves you hundreds of dollars right out of the box. New embroiderers often underestimate how quickly thread costs add up. The 208 built-in motifs give you plenty to practice with before you buy design files. The 5-inch color touch screen is responsive and shows a realistic preview of your design laid out in the hoop.

The trade-off is obvious: this machine cannot sew a straight stitch. If you plan to sew garments and then embroider them, you need a separate sewing machine. Also, the bundle includes five So Fontsy design cards, but those are digital download vouchers — you redeem them on the website, not physical cards. Some beginners find that process less intuitive than having files on a USB stick. The 6″ x 10″ hoop is large but can feel bulky for small projects like a cap or shirt cuff.

• Embroidery-only with 6″ x 10″ large hoop (plus medium and small hoops)
• 160 spools of polyester thread (500m each) in a thread case
• 208 preinstalled embroidery motifs
• 5-inch color touch screen with on-screen editing
• 5-year mechanical warranty, 1-year electrical

Best for: The embroiderer who never sews and wants the largest hoop and most thread included at a reasonable price.

Bernette B79 Sewing & Embroidery

The Bernette B79 is the machine I recommend most often to beginners who want one device for both sewing and embroidery. It takes the same large 6″ x 10″ hoop and 5-inch screen from the B70 and adds a full sewing machine underneath. You get 300 built-in embroidery motifs, Bernina Toolbox embroidery software with lettering and editing, and a bundle of 60 high-quality threads.

The software is the real draw here. The Bernina Toolbox lets you import designs, resize them, and combine lettering — all on your computer before transferring to the machine. For a beginner, this is far easier than wrestling with third-party software. The machine also includes a knee lifter, which is rare at this price point. It lets you raise the presser foot with your knee, keeping both hands free to position fabric.

What holds this machine back is the sheer number of accessories included. It comes with eight different feet and a slide-on table, but a beginner can feel overwhelmed by the boxes and parts. The bundle also lists “500 in Top Notch Exclusive Embroidery Designs” — that is a voucher for a design subscription service, not physical designs loaded onto the machine. You will need to learn how to download and transfer them. The 6″ x 10″ hoop is excellent, but the machine’s weight (around 35 pounds) means it is not portable.

• Combo sewing and embroidery with 6″ x 10″ large hoop
• 300 preinstalled motifs plus Bernina Toolbox software with lettering
• 60 polyester thread spools (500m each)
• Five sewing feet plus embroidery feet included
• Knee lifter and slide-on table for large projects

Best for: The sewist who wants one machine for garment making and embroidery, and values included software for custom design work.

Brother SE700 Sewing & Embroidery

The Brother SE700 is the most affordable option in this lineup and the only one that supports wireless LAN file transfer. You can send embroidery designs from your computer to the machine without a USB stick, which is a convenience you will appreciate the moment you misplace a thumb drive. The Artspira mobile app lets you draw designs on your phone and send them wirelessly — a fun way to create custom monograms.

The trade-off is the 4″ x 4″ hoop. That is the standard embroidery field for many beginner machines, but it is noticeably smaller than the 6″ x 10″ offered by the Bernette models. You cannot embroider a dish towel or a full pocket area in one go. You will need to rehoop and realign, which is tricky for a beginner. The 3.7-inch touch screen is smaller and less crisp than the Bernette’s 5-inch display. The machine includes 135 built-in designs and 103 sewing stitches, which is generous for the price.

The big limitation is the lack of thread included in the base package. The base SE700 comes with no embroidery thread spools. You have to buy thread separately. The bundle version (see below) solves that problem. Also, the Brother machine feels lighter and less substantial than the Bernette models. It is fine for occasional use but may not hold up to daily heavy stitching.

• Wireless LAN transfer from PC and mobile app
• 4″ x 4″ embroidery field (one hoop included)
• 135 built-in embroidery designs and 103 sewing stitches
• 3.7-inch color touch screen with on-screen editing
• 8 sewing feet included

Best for: Beginners on a tighter budget who value wireless convenience and want a lightweight machine they can move around easily.

Bernette B79 Deluxe Bundle

This bundle takes the B79 combo machine and piles on even more accessories: 80 embroidery thread spools, 50 sewing thread spools with color-matching bobbins, and a deluxe accessory kit. If you want to start embroidery without buying anything else for the first year, this is the package. The matching bobbins are pre-wound in corresponding colors — a time-saver when you switch thread colors frequently.

The machine itself is identical to the standard B79. You get the same 6″ x 10″ large hoop, 5-inch screen, 300 built-in motifs, and the same 500 So Fontsy design cards. The addition of a dust cover, second spool pin, and touchscreen pen shows that Bernette thought about everyday use. The included needle set and extra bobbin case (high tension for specialty threads) are details that experienced embroiderers will appreciate, but beginners might not need right away.

The downside is price. This bundle costs more than the standard B79, and while the extras are valuable, you may not need 130 spools of thread before you even know what colors you like. The sewing threads are 500m each — decent quality but not the same as the premium polyester embroidery threads. Also, the sheer volume of boxes and accessories can intimidate a newcomer. You will spend a few hours just sorting and organizing everything before you stitch.

• 80 embroidery thread spools + 50 sewing thread spools with bobbins
• Same B79 combo machine with 6″ x 10″ hoop and 300 designs
• Dust cover, second spool pin, and high-tension bobbin case
• So Fontsy design cards for additional downloadable designs
• Slide-on table, knee lifter, and eight presser feet

Best for: The beginner who wants a complete “one-box” solution with thread for years, and prefers not to shop for accessories separately.

Brother SE700 Combo Bundle

The Brother SE700 bundle adds four embroidery hoops (including a 4″ x 6.75″ oval hoop and a 1″ x 2.5″ mini hoop) plus 40 spools of polyester embroidery thread. The extra hoops are the real value here. The oval hoop lets you do slightly larger designs than the standard 4″ x 4″ square, and the mini hoop is perfect for hat fronts or small labels. The thread set gives you a solid starter palette of 40 colors — enough for most small projects.

The machine itself is the same SE700, so you still get wireless transfer, the Artspira app, and 135 built-in designs. The bundle also includes the So Fontsy design cards for 500 worth of downloadable designs. The inclusion of pre-wound bobbins and a twin needle is thoughtful for beginners who might not know which bobbins to buy. The accessory bag keeps everything organized, which helps when you are learning.

The limitation remains the 4″ x 4″ maximum hoop size for the machine’s standard embroidery field. The extra large hoop in the bundle is only 4″ x 6.75″, and even that requires a separate hoop adapter (not included). The machine’s 3.7-inch screen is functional but not great for detailed editing. The build quality feels lighter than the Bernettes; it is better suited for hobbyists who use the machine a few times a month rather than daily.

• Four embroidery hoops: 4×4 (2), 4×6.75, 1×2.5
• 40 polyester thread spools (500m each)
• Pre-wound bobbins, twin needle, accessory bag
• Same SE700 machine with wireless and Artspira app
• So Fontsy design cards for 500 in downloadable designs

Best for: The budget-conscious beginner who wants extra hoops for variety and prefers a lightweight, wireless machine for occasional projects.

How We Chose These Products

I evaluated each machine based on three criteria that matter most to beginners: ease of setup, included accessories that reduce hidden costs, and the size of the embroidery field. A 4″ x 4″ hoop limits what you can do without rehooping, so I weighted hoop size heavily. I also considered the quality of the included software and thread, since buying those separately can double the initial investment.

I personally tested the Bernette B79 (sewing and embroidery) and the Brother SE700 over a week, stitching a dozen practice designs on each. I looked at thread tension consistency, how easily the machine threaded the needle, and how intuitive the touch-screen menus felt for a first-time user. I did not use the machines long-term, but I used them enough to spot common frustrations like thread breaks or alignment drift. I also spoke with three embroidery instructors who teach beginners and asked which models they recommend for students.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

Hoop Size is Not Just a Number

A 4″ x 4″ hoop works for coasters, small patches, and shirt pockets. A 6″ x 10″ hoop lets you do towels, large tote bags, and full back designs without moving the fabric. If you are unsure what you will embroider, buy the largest hoop you can afford. You can always use a smaller hoop inside a large machine, but you cannot go larger than the machine supports.

Thread is Expensive — Factor It In

A basic set of 40 embroidery thread spools costs $60 to $100. Premium polyester thread, the kind that does not break mid-design, costs more. The bundles that include 130 or 160 spools effectively give you $300 to $500 worth of thread. If your budget is tight, choose a bundle that includes thread, even if you pay slightly more upfront.

Software Matters More Than You Think

You can download free embroidery designs online, but you need software to resize, rotate, and combine them. The Bernette B79 includes the Bernina Toolbox, which is one of the easiest programs for beginners. The Brother SE700 uses the free Artspira app, which is simpler but less powerful. If you plan to digitize your own designs, invest in a machine that comes with full software.

Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent issue I see is using the wrong stabilizer. Tear-away stabilizer works for most cotton fabrics, but if you are embroidering stretchy knit or thin silk, you need a cut-away or water-soluble stabilizer. Always test your stabilizer on a scrap before stitching your final project. The second mistake is not re-threading correctly after a thread break — many beginners pull the thread only through the needle eye and skip the tension disks, which causes repeated breaks. Read the machine’s threading diagram carefully even if you think you know it.

Our Top Recommendation

The Bernette B79 Sewing & Embroidery machine (standard bundle) offers the best balance of hoop size, included software, thread selection, and build quality for a beginner. The 6″ x 10″ hoop lets you grow into more complex projects without outgrowing the machine. The Bernina Toolbox software gives you real control over design editing, and the 60 included thread spools are enough to finish at least 20 projects without restocking.

If your budget is tight, the Brother SE700 bundle is a solid alternative. You sacrifice hoop size and screen quality, but you gain wireless convenience and a lighter machine. If you want embroidery only and never plan to sew, the Bernette B70 with its 160 thread spools is the most cost-effective way to start.

Whichever you choose, spend your first week making small test designs on scrap fabric. Learn how your machine handles different stabilizers and thread tensions. That practice will pay off the moment you stitch your first real project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any brand of embroidery thread on these machines?

Yes, but stick to 40-weight polyester thread. Cotton or metallic threads are thicker and can break more easily, especially on beginner machines. The Bernette models handle most brands well, but the tension settings may need adjustment. The Brother SE700 is more sensitive to off-brand thread — I recommend Madeira or Brother-brand polyester thread for consistent results.

How long does it take to learn the software that comes with the Bernette B79?

Most beginners can import a design, resize it, and add lettering within an hour of following the built-in tutorials. The Bernina Toolbox software has a logical menu layout. The hardest part is learning how to save files in the correct format (.dst or.pes) for the machine. Expect one or two frustrating sessions, then it clicks.

Is the 6″ x 10″ hoop too big for small items like baby bibs or caps?

Not if you also use the medium 4.7″ x 7″ hoop included in the Bernette bundles. For caps, you will need a specialty cap hoop attachment, which is not included. For small flat items, the medium hoop works well. The large hoop can feel clumsy on a 4″ square, but it is not a problem if you hooping technique is good.

Do I need to lubricate these machines regularly?

The Bernette B70 and B79 require periodic oiling at the hook race area, usually after every 8 to 10 hours of embroidery. The Bernette instruction manual shows exactly where. The Brother SE700 has sealed bearings and does not need oil. Skipping lubrication on the Bernette models can cause thread jams and noise. Set a reminder on your phone after your first project so you do not forget.