Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine Review

Product Description

The Bernette B05 Academy is a heavy-duty mechanical sewing machine designed to cater to both beginners and experienced sewers. Known for its robust construction and high-speed performance, this machine is ideal for a wide range of sewing tasks, from basic garment construction to more complex quilting projects. The Bernette B05 Academy is equipped with a powerful motor that can achieve speeds of up to 1100 stitches per minute, making it one of the fastest machines in its class. Its extensive range of features, including a variety of stitches, multiple presser feet, and an included extension table, ensure optimal results on various fabric types and tasks.

Key Features Of The Bernette B05 Academy Sewing machine

1. High-Speed Performance

The Bernette B05 Academy boasts a maximum sewing speed of 1100 stitches per minute, allowing users to complete their projects quickly and efficiently. This high-speed capability is particularly beneficial for large projects and professional sewing tasks.

2. Extensive Stitch Selection

The machine offers 30 built-in stitches, including utility stitches, decorative stitches, and a one-step buttonhole. This variety ensures that users have the right stitch for any sewing task, whether it’s basic garment construction, hemming, or adding decorative details.

3. Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure

The adjustable presser foot pressure feature allows users to customize the pressure applied to the fabric, ensuring even feeding and preventing fabric puckering. This is particularly useful when working with different fabric types, from delicate silks to heavy denims.

4. Retractable Feed Dogs

The retractable feed dogs make it easy to switch between regular sewing and free-motion sewing or darning. By simply moving a lever on the back of the machine, users can lower the feed dogs for free-motion quilting or embroidery.

5. Large Extension Table

The included large extension table provides additional workspace, making it easier to handle large projects such as quilts or home décor items. The extension table helps level the workspace to the height of the needle, preventing strained or crooked seams.

6. Comprehensive Accessory Package

The Bernette B05 Academy comes with a wide range of accessories, including:

• 12 Presser Feet: Zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, blindstitch foot, zipper foot, overlock foot, invisible zipper foot, button sew-on foot, edgestitch foot, hemmer foot, open embroidery foot, darning/embroidery foot, and non-slip zigzag foot.
• Needle Set: A set of needles suitable for various fabric types.
• Bobbins: Three bobbins for smooth thread delivery.
• Seam Ripper/Brush: Dual-purpose tool for cleaning and removing stitches.
• Screwdriver: For machine maintenance and adjustments.
• Spool Holders: Large and small spool holders to accommodate different thread spool sizes.
• Oiler: For maintaining the machine’s moving parts.
• Finger Guard: For added safety during sewing.

Performance Of The Bernette B05 Academy Sewing machine

The Bernette B05 Academy delivers exceptional performance across a variety of sewing tasks. Its powerful motor and high-speed capabilities ensure efficient and precise stitching, even on thick or multiple layers of fabric. The machine’s adjustable presser foot pressure and retractable feed dogs provide versatility, allowing users to tackle a wide range of projects with ease. The large extension table and comprehensive accessory package further enhance the machine’s functionality, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced sewers.

Applications

The Bernette B05 Academy is ideal for a variety of sewing projects, including:

• Garments and accessories
• Home décor items
• Quilting and patchwork
• Craft projects
• Basic repairs and alterations

Included Accessories of the Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine

The Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine comes with a comprehensive set of accessories designed to enhance its functionality and provide users with all the necessary tools to start sewing immediately. Here is a detailed list of the included accessories:

Presser Feet

1. Zigzag Foot
   • Versatile foot for general sewing, suitable for straight and zigzag stitches.
2. Buttonhole Foot
   • Allows for precise and consistent buttonholes with or without cord.
3. Zipper Foot
   • Compact design for sewing in zippers of various sizes, allowing close stitching along the zipper coils.
4. Blindstitch Foot
   • Ideal for sewing blind hems, ensuring minimal visibility of stitches on the right side of the fabric.
5. Overlock Foot
   • Mimics the look of a serger, used for finishing raw edges and preventing fraying.
6. Invisible Zipper Foot
   • Designed for sewing invisible zippers, ensuring a clean and professional finish.
7. Non-Slip Zigzag Foot
   • Provides extra grip and stability when sewing, preventing fabric slippage.
8. Button-Sew-On Foot
   • Used for sewing on buttons, rings, or hooks, with a non-slip sole to keep the button in place.
9. Edgestitch Foot
   • Perfect for topstitching edges and creating precise, even stitches along the fabric edge.
10. Hemmer Foot
    • Used for creating narrow hems, rolling the fabric edge under for a clean finish.
11. Open Embroidery Foot
    • Provides better visibility for detailed embroidery work, making it easier to follow intricate designs.
12. Darning/Embroidery Foot
    • Ideal for free-motion quilting and embroidery, allowing for creative stitching.

Additional Accessories

1. Finger Guard
   • Provides added safety during sewing, protecting fingers from the needle.
2. Needle Set
   • A selection of needles suitable for various fabric types and sewing techniques.
3. Height Compensation Tool
   • Helps maintain even stitching when sewing over thick seams or multiple layers of fabric.
4. Bobbins (3)
   • Includes three bobbins for smooth thread delivery and minimal interruptions during sewing.
5. Seam Ripper/Brush
   • Dual-purpose tool for cleaning the machine and removing stitches.
6. Right Seam Guide
   • Helps maintain consistent seam allowances, ensuring precise and even stitching.
7. Screwdriver
   • Used for machine maintenance and adjustments, ensuring optimal performance.
8. Second Spool Pin
   • Allows for easy threading of twin needles or multiple thread spools.
9. Large Spool Holder
   • Holds larger thread spools, ensuring proper thread tension and feeding.
10. Small Spool Holder
    • Holds smaller thread spools, ensuring proper thread tension and feeding.
11. Large Spool Felt
    • Placed under the spool to reduce friction and ensure smooth thread feeding.
12. Oiler
    • Essential for maintaining the machine’s moving parts, ensuring smooth operation and longevity.
13. Spool Net
    • Helps keep thread spools in place, preventing tangling and ensuring smooth thread feeding.

Stitch Selection of the Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine

The Bernette B05 Academy is a versatile and robust mechanical sewing machine that offers a wide range of stitches to cater to various sewing needs. Here is a detailed look at the types of stitches provided by the Bernette B05 Academy:

Utility Stitches

Utility stitches are essential for basic sewing tasks and everyday repairs. The Bernette B05 Academy includes several utility stitches that are perfect for constructing garments, hemming, and mending.

1. Straight Stitch: The most commonly used stitch for sewing seams and topstitching. It is strong and versatile, suitable for a wide range of fabrics.
2. Zigzag Stitch: Ideal for finishing raw edges to prevent fraying, sewing stretch fabrics, and creating decorative effects. The width of the zigzag stitch can be adjusted up to 6 mm.
3. Blind Hem Stitch: Used for hemming garments invisibly. The stitches are barely visible on the right side of the fabric, making it perfect for professional-looking hems on pants, skirts, and dresses.
4. Overlock Stitch: This stitch mimics the look of a serger and is used to finish raw edges, especially on knit fabrics. It helps prevent fraying and provides a clean finish.
5. Triple Straight Stitch: A strong, reinforced stitch that is ideal for high-stress areas such as crotch seams and armholes. It provides extra durability for seams that need to withstand heavy wear.
6. Triple Zigzag Stitch: A reinforced zigzag stitch that offers extra strength and flexibility. It is perfect for sewing elastic and attaching elastic bands.

Buttonhole Stitches

The Bernette B05 Academy offers a one-step buttonhole function, allowing users to create precise and consistent buttonholes. This feature is essential for garment construction, ensuring that buttonholes are evenly spaced and neatly finished.

• One-Step Buttonhole: This stitch is created in one step, allowing for precise control and customization. It is suitable for various button sizes and types of fabrics.

Decorative Stitches

Decorative stitches add a creative touch to sewing projects. The Bernette B05 Academy includes several decorative stitches that can be used to embellish garments, home décor items, and crafts.

• Scallop Stitch: A decorative stitch that creates a scalloped edge, perfect for adding a delicate touch to hems, collars, and cuffs.
• Shell Stitch: This stitch forms a shell-like pattern and is ideal for decorative borders and edges.
• Satin Stitch: A dense, closely spaced zigzag stitch used for appliqué, monogramming, and decorative accents.

Stretch Stitches

Stretch stitches are designed to work with knit and stretch fabrics, ensuring that seams remain flexible and do not break when the fabric is stretched.

• Stretch Stitch: A stitch that stretches with the fabric, making it ideal for sewing elastic materials and knit fabrics. It provides a durable and flexible seam.
• Lycra Stitch: Specifically designed for highly elastic materials, this stitch ensures that seams remain strong and flexible, even under significant stretch.

Specialty Stitches

The Bernette B05 Academy also includes specialty stitches that cater to specific sewing needs and techniques.

• Blanket Stitch: Ideal for appliqué and edge finishing, this stitch provides a decorative and functional finish to fabric edges.
• Darning Stitch: Used for repairing holes and tears in the fabric, this stitch reinforces the damaged area with a dense, overlapping pattern.

Specifications of the Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine

The Bernette B05 Academy is a robust and versatile mechanical sewing machine designed to cater to a wide range of sewing needs. Here is a detailed table of the specifications for the Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine:

How Does the Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine Perform with Quilting Projects?

The Bernette B05 Academy is a versatile and robust mechanical sewing machine designed to handle a wide range of sewing tasks, including quilting. Here’s an in-depth look at how it performs specifically with quilting projects:

High-Speed Performance

The Bernette B05 Academy boasts a maximum sewing speed of 1100 stitches per minute, allowing users to complete their quilting projects quickly and efficiently. This high-speed capability is particularly beneficial for large quilting projects, as it reduces the time required to sew long seams and intricate patterns.

Extensive Stitch Selection

The machine offers 30 built-in stitches, including utility stitches, decorative stitches, and a one-step buttonhole. Among these stitches are the Blanket Stitch and Lycra Stitch, which are particularly useful for quilting. The blanket stitch is ideal for appliqué work, a common technique in quilting, while the Lycra stitch provides flexibility for quilting with stretch fabrics.

Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure

The adjustable presser foot pressure feature allows users to customize the pressure applied to the fabric, ensuring even feeding and preventing fabric puckering. This is especially important in quilting, where multiple layers of fabric and batting need to be sewn together smoothly. The adjustable presser foot pressure ensures that all layers are fed evenly, resulting in precise and professional-looking quilts.

Retractable Feed Dogs

The retractable feed dogs make it easy to switch between regular sewing and free-motion quilting. By simply moving a lever on the back of the machine, users can lower the feed dogs for free-motion quilting, allowing for greater creativity and control over quilting designs. This feature is essential for quilters who enjoy creating intricate and custom quilting patterns.

Large Extension Table

The included large extension table provides additional workspace, making it easier to handle large quilting projects. The extension table helps level the workspace to the height of the needle, preventing strained or crooked seams. This is particularly useful when working with large quilt tops, as it provides ample support and stability, reducing the strain on the fabric and ensuring even stitching.

Comprehensive Accessory Package

The Bernette B05 Academy comes with a wide range of accessories that enhance its functionality for quilting projects. These include:

• 12 Presser Feet: Including a darning/embroidery foot for free-motion quilting and an open embroidery foot for better visibility during detailed quilting work.
• Height Compensation Tool: Helps maintain even stitching when sewing over thick seams or multiple layers of fabric.
• Finger Guard: Provides added safety during quilting, protecting fingers from the needle.

Throat Space

The machine offers a throat space of 6.5 inches, which is larger than the typical 5.5 inches found on many entry-level machines. This additional space is beneficial for quilting, as it provides more room to maneuver large quilt pieces and roll up the quilt as you sew.

Stability and Durability

The Bernette B05 Academy is designed with a robust construction, ensuring stability and durability even during heavy-duty quilting tasks. Its weight of 7.6 kg (16.8 lbs) provides the necessary stability to prevent the machine from moving or vibrating excessively while quilting, ensuring precise and consistent stitching.

Pros and Cons Of The Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine

Pros

• High-Speed Performance: Up to 1100 stitches per minute for efficient quilting.
• Versatile Stitch Selection: 30 built-in stitches, including utility and decorative stitches suitable for quilting.
• Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure: Ensures even feeding of multiple fabric layers.
• Retractable Feed Dogs: Allows for free-motion quilting.
• Large Extension Table: Provides additional workspace for large quilting projects.
• Comprehensive Accessory Package: Includes presser feet and tools essential for quilting.
• Throat Space: 6.5 inches of throat space for better maneuverability of large quilt pieces.
• Robust Construction: Durable and stable for heavy-duty quilting tasks.

Cons

• Manual Needle Threader: Requires manual threading, which may be challenging for some users.
• Manual Thread Cutter: Lacks an automatic thread cutter, requiring manual trimming of threads.
• Weight: At 7.6 kg, it may be considered heavy for some users, affecting portability.
• Limited Decorative Stitches: While it offers a variety of stitches, the selection may be limited for advanced decorative quilting.

Conclusion

The Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine is a robust and versatile machine that performs exceptionally well for quilting projects. Its high-speed performance, extensive stitch selection, adjustable presser foot pressure, and retractable feed dogs provide the necessary features for efficient and precise quilting. The large extension table and comprehensive accessory package further enhance its functionality, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced quilters. While it may lack some advanced features like an automatic needle threader and thread cutter, its overall performance and durability make it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and efficient sewing machine for quilting.

FAQs About Bernette B05 Academy Sewing Machine

1. What types of fabrics can the Bernette B05 Academy handle?

The Bernette B05 Academy is designed to handle a wide range of fabrics, from light to heavy-weight materials. It can efficiently sew through fabrics such as cotton, polyester, linen, silk, rayon, knits, denim, canvas, velvet, faux leather, and fleece. Its adjustable presser foot pressure and robust construction ensure even feeding and precise stitching on various fabric types.

2. How many stitches does the Bernette B05 Academy offer?

The Bernette B05 Academy offers 30 built-in stitches, including utility stitches, decorative stitches, and a one-step buttonhole. This variety ensures that users have the right stitch for any sewing task, whether it’s basic garment construction, hemming, or adding decorative details.

3. What is the maximum sewing speed of the Bernette B05 Academy?

The machine can sew at speeds of up to 1100 stitches per minute, allowing users to complete their projects quickly and efficiently.

4. Does the Bernette B05 Academy have a needle threader?

Yes, the Bernette B05 Academy features a manual needle threader, which simplifies the threading process and saves time.

5. What accessories are included with the Bernette B05 Academy?

The machine comes with a comprehensive set of accessories, including:

• 12 presser feet (zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, blindstitch foot, overlock foot, invisible zipper foot, non-slip zigzag foot, button-sew-on foot, edgestitch foot, hemmer foot, open embroidery foot, darning/embroidery foot)
• Finger guard
• Needle set
• Height compensation tool
• 3 bobbins
• Seam ripper/brush
• Right seam guide
• Screwdriver
• Second spool pin
• Large spool holder
• Small spool holder
• Large spool felt
• Oiler
• Spool net

6. Does the Bernette B05 Academy have adjustable presser foot pressure?

Yes, the machine features adjustable presser foot pressure, which allows users to customize the pressure applied to the fabric, ensuring even feeding and preventing fabric puckering. This is particularly useful when working with different fabric types, from delicate silks to heavy denims.

7. Can the Bernette B05 Academy handle quilting projects?

Yes, the Bernette B05 Academy is suitable for quilting projects. It offers a variety of quilting stitches and features like the retractable feed dogs, which allow for free-motion quilting. The large extension table provides additional workspace, making it easier to handle large quilt tops.

8. What is the throat space of the Bernette B05 Academy?

The machine offers a throat space of 6.5 inches, which is larger than the typical 5.5 inches found on many entry-level machines. This additional space is beneficial for quilting, as it provides more room to maneuver large quilt pieces and roll up the quilt as you sew.

9. Does the Bernette B05 Academy have a thread cutter?

Yes, the machine includes a manual thread cutter for convenient trimming of threads.

10. What is the warranty on the Bernette B05 Academy sewing machine?

The Bernette B05 Academy comes with a 2-year parts and labor warranty, ensuring peace of mind and long-term reliability.

11. How do I maintain and lubricate the Bernette B05 Academy?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning lint and debris from the bobbin area, feed dogs, and needle area after each use. Lubricate the machine as per the user manual’s instructions, using only recommended sewing machine oil. Consider professional servicing annually or as needed.

12. Is the Bernette B05 Academy suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Bernette B05 Academy is ideal for beginners. Its user-friendly design, simple controls, and essential features make it easy for novice sewers to learn and practice sewing. The comprehensive accessory package and included extension table further enhance its functionality, making it a valuable addition to any sewing room.

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