Brand

Bernina sewing machines

Karl Friedrich Gegauf founded the company in Steckborn, Switzerland, in 1893 after inventing a hemstitch sewing machine, and his family still owns it. The first household machine named Bernina came in 1932, and the first Bernina zigzag in 1938. The Record line began with the 530 in 1954, which introduced the clip-on presser foot Bernina still uses. The 730 of 1963 brought the knee-operated presser-foot lifter, the 830 of 1971 became the best seller, and the 930 of 1982 added stretch stitches. The vintage machines were made in Steckborn. Bernina's feet have changed over the decades, so check which family a machine takes before you buy extras.

5 models we cover.