Bernina Bernette Chicago 7 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

I love love love this machine. I use it almost every day and it works like a champ. It’s quiet for how light it is, the embroidery option works great, and everything is so easy to use. I’ve had it about a year and I haven’t had any major problems with it.The only reason I’m giving it 4 Stars is because sometimes the tension is a little finicky and it will skip a stitch every now and then. But as long as you test the fabric out before you start your project and make sure you get the tension right on that fabric, you should be fine! Also, my feed dogs stopped working once, but I was able to fix it. Again, no major problems! Everything is pretty easy to figure out and fix if you do run into a problem.

I have had the Bernette Chicago 7 for less than a week and am very happy with it. Very capable machine that can do lovely embroidery. Operator error is a big cause of problems with doing embroidery. Improper threading, bobbin setting, stabilizer issues and i’m still trying to figure out all the things that I can control that fouls up my embroidery.I’m still figuring out the software—trying to figure out All that I can do. I have to go buy a new USB stick because the stick needs to be formatted by BERNINA. I’m also trying to determine if I can make my own designs on photoshop and import. How to do border designs, cutwork and appliqué? Craftsy.com had a free streaming weekend so that was very interesting—so much potential!! The built in designs on the sewing machine and on the software are lovely and will keep me happy for awhile. I’ve never tried another embroidery machine so I can’t compare, but this machine seems very fun/well-designed for casual embroidering. I’m happy I bought it.I bought this machine with my own money and for my own entertainment.Update: Still happily embroidering. One glitch that was a bit difficult was figuring out the USB stick. I'm not sure the recommended way to solve the problem, but I ordered very low memory sticks (1.8 GB) or LESS THAN 2 GB and my modern software was able to format them to FAT. A high capacity USB was automatically formatted to FAT32 using modern software and it didn't work on the machine as far as I could tell. I think the sewing machine doesn't like FAT 32 so don't format to that if possible. The file that finally worked was Bernina EXP.The software that comes with the machine has the ability to import and change the designs, but not create anything. I think this software actually does what a very high end machine does on the sewing machine. USB stick delivery isn't too bad when you're saving thousands of dollars....One other issue was asking for help from Bernette.com. They said sorry we only take questions from the USA and they rejected my emailed question. I live in Seattle so I guess Bernina thinks there's another Seattle somewhere else in the world. I will have to phone them with the next question.

Machine broke after about 15 usages. The power cord and foot peddle do not work and I have exchanged them with other cords and it still won’t work, which indicates there is something wrong the motor. This machine was very expensive and I am hurt that my money was taken with little thought given to the quality of the the product by the manufacturer.

Hesitant starts and stops, button holes are crappy, "birds nests" whenever I do zig zag stitches. If I had bought this at the store I would return it and go back to my $100 brother. I have not tried the embroidery yet.

I have just unboxed the machine to see if there is any damage to it. There is no visible damage, in fact I am very happy with how good it looks, the size and weight seem just perfect. This is only a review for the outside of the machine, not the way it functions. I will write more about its qualities as a machine soon. The only upsetting part so far was the silicone drops. I think a bag of silica just spilled all over the plastic bag covering the machine. I checked the outlets and I need to clean it with a duster before I use it. Otherwise, those tiny silicas might damage the machine.I know that they first try the machine at Ken's, but it's still not nice to find a hair in the foam cover. People have hair, that's okay, but still. I will assume that silica bag spilled on the way to my house. But I haven't been able to find the bag? I don't know. Let's see how the machine works.

It is an awesome entry level Embroidery machine! I bought mine second hand from someone after she used it once! The local dealer provided me with the training I needed to get going..** MAJOR TIP I LEARNED:The Smaller the USB capacity, the better. Also, only have the project names saved using 8-12 letters Max. The processor in the machine is very basic. Also, I keep all project designs on my computer and only use the USB to transport designs to my Bernette for sewing and then delete them from the USB. It seems to work best with very few items on the USB. It also keeps you from scrolling through lots of screens to find your project!Hope these tips help!B.Cook

I love this machine and the longer I use it, the more I love it. Grab one anywhere you can get one.

Please advise on a repair shop that accept non consumer purchase for this machine, moving slow and sticking unable to sew

Twas a load of crap. Sewing not so bad but embroidery a waste of time and thread and fabric. The top thread used to wind by itself on the bobbin in embroidery mode. Jam up and stop working. I been using embroidery machines for 20 years. It went on a skip after 2 months.