05 Academy Sewing Machine

This machine feels heavy which probably reflects its mostly metal build. This is a good thing - it doesn't move around the table as you sew. The stitch selection once you know what the colour codes mean is simple and logical. It sounds smooth and sews smoothly too. Its not a noisy machine but not super quiet either. I'd recommend this machine as a good workhorse - its not glamorous and high tech like the computerised machines but will be a reliable machine.

Great machine. Is quite noisy but then it is a semi industrial. Very happy with my purchase and great customer service with regard to extra delivery instructions, which were clearly displayed on top of box. Recommend highly

Not the best start - my machine arrived with a European plug, and the Quick-start book in the box was in Spanish. First problem solved with a multi adaptor, second by going online for the English version. The booklet will get you through the basics, but no more. A comprehensive (80 page) manual is available online. Value for money: can’t fault it for features and performance for the price. You can even adjust the pressure on the sewing foot for thicker materials, a great feature. The dials and hand wheel are a bit stiff and clunky, but are easing with use. It’s noisy, but no more than my faithful 35 year-old Bernina Matic, and it’s much lighter. Sewing feet supplied: excellent selection - more than many machines at twice the price. Changing feet is quick and simple with a little practice – beware, though, it’s easy accidentally to detach the foot you’re using. Buttonholes and concealed zips are a breeze with the special feet. Stitches: comprehensive selection of functional and decorative stitches. Stitch plate: good size, and measurements are marked in metric and imperial. Accessories box: love this. It fits around the free arm and keeps everything in one place with the machine. Transparent bobbin cover: if you use the plastic bobbins supplied, you can see how close you are to running out of lower thread without taking the bobbin out, useful if you are about to start a long or thread-hungry stitch run. Extension table: sturdy and generous working space. It is also marked with seam allowance lines. Only gripe is that it only has imperial spaces (8ths of an inch) and not metric, which the stitch footplate has. LED lights: very bright, which is useful, but reflection from the bright finish of the sewing feet is distracting. It would be better if the metal feet were matt finish. Thread cutter and reverse stitch lever could be better placed. You have to release the lower thread from the cutter before you can position the next piece to be sewn, and operating the reverse lever means putting your hand in front of your sewing. Finally, the foot control pedal - this is the single worst thing about this machine and the reason I have given it 4 stars rather than 5. It’s stiff and jerky, looks and feels cheap, very plastic and lets the machine down. Comes without any carrying case or protective cover, so my first project on it was to make it a fitted dust cover which I padded and lined using assorted fabric leftovers and offcuts. This gave me scope to experiment and play with the machine and become familiar with the settings and stitches before embarking on some serious sewing. Overall, this is a very good sewing machine, and I look forward to completing many projects on it.

THIS IS AN ITALIAN COMPANY AND DEFINITELY NOT A BERNINA BERNETTE SUPPLIER SO THERE IS NO WARRANTY AVAILABLE IF PURCHASED IN THE UK - THIS MACHINE DOES NOT HAVE A MACHINE EMBROIDERY/DARNING FACILITY - THE DARNING/EMBROIDERY FOOT BOUNCES ALL OVER THE FABRIC SO YOU CANNOT CONTROL IT FOR ANY DETAILED EMBROIDERY AT ALL AND NO OPTION TO RETURN OR REFUND AS NO WARRANTY APPLICABLE - THIS SELLER IS A CON MERCHANT!!!!!!!

I love this machine. It is perfect for basic sewing needs. However I had a problem with it stopping sewing at all and it needed attention. I had the extended Guarantee and contacted the seller 'Sewit4you' via the messaging system as advised by Amazon on 9th April. To date I have not received a response. I have now had the machine repaired by a local sewing machine engineer. Buyer beware ............ good basic machine but useless guarantee and appalling customer services.

Máquina mecánica robusta, con las puntadas necesarias. Nada de lujo, pero tiene todo lo necesario para que su manejo sea sencillo (bobina horizontal, enhebrador, ojal de un paso, etc). Motor potente, aunque no heavy duty. Incluye varios prensatelas para realizar diferentes tipos de costuras. La mesa de extensión es muy cómoda, ya que está un poco redondeada y cuenta con marcas que sirven de guía. Tiene muy buena iluminación, y puede trabajar en dos velocidades. Puedes realizar todos los ajustes posibles, la tensión del hilo y el prensatelas, largo y ancho de puntada, hasta calibrar las puntadas en ambos lados del ojal. Muy parecida a la Singer Heavy Duty (posiblemente sea el mismo chasis) aunque la Bernette se siente de mejor calidad, y a diferencia de la Singer hecha en China, esta está hecha en Vietnam. Da la sensación de que con buenos cuidados, limpieza, lubricación y mantenimiento, es de esas máquinas que pueden heredar tus hijos o nietos. Buena relación calidad/precio tomando en cuenta todo los extras que incluye. Llegó antes de lo esperado y en perfectas condiciones, a pesar de haber sido un envío internacional.

Buona macchina cuce perfetto diversi tessuti, sia leggeri sia pesanti o con paietts. Bisogna ricordare cha é la macchina meccanica e cambiare regolazioni delle manopole per i vostri esigenze. Consiglio anche scaricare istruzioni della macchina dal sito, la spiegazione completa vi aiuta tanto.

For the price, it’s a good little sewing machine. It’s easy to use and sews well. I always bought Bernina machines in the past, but this one works really well.

Super