“Absolutely love this machine. The stitch quality is superb and it handles everything I throw at it.”
BERNINA 790 Pro Product Review & Demonstration
The BERNINA 790 Pro is a full-sized sewing and quilting machine built for sewers and quilters seeking precision, versatility and advanced features that elevate their craft. BERNINA Stitchprecision² technology delivers the ultra-precise and consistent stitch quality across intricate and large-scale projects BERNINA are known for. It's a powerful and beautifully engineered full metal chassis machine which is a joy to sew on.
For quilters, the included BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR) maintains consistent stitch length during free-motion quilting. BERNINA Dual Feed (BDF) provides even fabric feeding from top and bottom, which is particularly useful for challenging or layered fabrics. The 360° directional sewing capability and Sideways Motion feed allow multi-directional decorative stitch work, expanding your creative possibilities beyond what a standard feed system can achieve.
The 10-inch workspace to the right of the needle, paired with the included slide-on extension table, gives you room for large quilts and substantial projects without having to reposition fabric constantly. The jumbo bobbin holds up to 70% more thread than a standard bobbin. The upper and lower thread indicators alert you when thread is running low, which means fewer interrupted seams.
The Pinpoint Laser operates in every needle position to indicate the exact needle entry point, giving you precise stitch placement on detailed work. Adaptive Thread Tension adjusts automatically for consistent results on both sides of the fabric. With 2,040 built-in stitches, 9 sewing alphabets, a Stitch Designer for creating and customising your own stitch patterns, the 790 Pro covers the full range of sewing, quilting and decorative work.
Key Features
What makes this machine worth it
Machine Type
Sewing and quilting machine, large size
Stitch Range
2,040 built-in stitches, including 700 decorative, 70 quilting, 37 cross-stitch and 9 alphabets
Control Type
7-inch colour touchscreen with multi-function knobs
Workspace
10 inches (254mm) to the right of the needle
Needle Configuration
11 needle positions with semi-automatic needle threader
Buttonholes
16 buttonhole styles including automatic and manual multi-step
Skill Level
Professional sewers and quilters
Machine Weight
14kg

This machine is perfect for
- Built for sewers & quilters who want next level sewing and quilting technology
- Professionals and advanced hobbyists ready to invest in a machine they'll never outgrow
Can sew but not ideal for
- Sewers with limited space - this machine suits a dedicated space
- Sewers needing portability for classes or groups
Not suitable for
- Complete beginners may find the advanced and sophisticated features overwhelming
Materials and Build Quality
Stitchprecision² technology is built into the 790 Pro's mechanical architecture, reducing vibration and noise during operation so you get cleaner stitch placement at any speed. The 14kg machine body reflects the full-metal construction BERNINA uses across its professional range, keeping the machine stable under sustained use. The 30 LED lights across the sewing area provide shadow-free illumination around the needle zone, so you can work accurately without straining to see the needle.
The BERNINA Hook system is central to the 790 Pro's stitch consistency, pairing with a jumbo bobbin that holds up to 70% more thread than a standard bobbin. Adaptive Thread Tension automatically adjusts thread tension to suit different fabrics and stitch types, ensuring consistent stitch quality on both sides of the fabric. The upper and lower thread indicators monitor your thread supply while you sew, so you know before thread runs out entirely.
BERNINA Dual Feed (BDF) provides even fabric feeding from both top and bottom, which is particularly useful for working with challenging or layered fabrics. This is especially practical when sewing through multiple layers or working with fabrics that tend to shift under a standard presser foot. Sideways Motion feed allows multi-directional stitching, which means decorative sideways motion stitches can be sewn without rotating the fabric.
The Difference is in the Details
At 1,000 stitches per minute with bobbin winding available while sewing, the 790 Pro keeps interruptions to a minimum during large projects. The automatic thread cutter, start/stop button, slide speed control and needle up/down function keep essential controls within reach. The upper and lower thread indicators mean you know when thread is running low before it runs out mid-seam.
Swiss manufacturing and a full-metal 14kg body give the 790 Pro the build quality to handle years of intensive use. Stitchprecision² technology reduces vibration during operation, which contributes to long-term mechanical stability. BERNINA backs the 790 Pro with a 7-year warranty that reflects confidence in its construction.
The 790 Pro's Creative Consultant mode guides you through stitch selection and settings for specific tasks, and the History function recalls recently used stitch patterns so you can return to them quickly. The Personal Program stores your preferred configurations so the machine is ready to go your way from the moment you sit down. Our team at The Sewing Studio are authorised BERNINA retailers. Call, chat or email for advice before and after purchase.
The built-in sewing tutorial function and on-screen help cover the 790 Pro's full feature set, so you can work through functions at your own pace without reaching for a manual. The Stitch Designer lets you create and save your own stitch patterns directly on the touchscreen, which means your stitch library grows with your skills. Our YouTube channel and website carry additional tutorials to help you get more from your machine.
The 7-inch colour touchscreen offers intuitive navigation with a touchscreen pen included, and the multi-function knobs give quick access to stitch width, length and other adjustments without going into menus. The Free Hand System (knee lifter) is included for hands-free presser foot operation, and Eco mode reduces power consumption when the machine is not in active use.
BERNINA 790 Pro: A Machine for Every Maker
And every project
Built for Long Sessions on Large Projects
The full-metal construction and Stitchprecision² technology keep the machine stable and quiet throughout extended use, so you can focus on the work rather than the machine. With 10 inches of workspace and the included extension table, large quilts and substantial projects have the room they need from start to finish.
Precision Where It Counts
The Pinpoint Laser shows you the exact needle entry point before you sew, so placement on detailed work is accurate every time.
A Stitch Library That Grows with You
With 2,040 built-in stitches, 9 alphabets and the Stitch Designer for creating your own patterns, the 790 Pro gives you more stitch options than most sewers will ever exhaust. The Personal Program and History function mean your most-used configurations are always a tap away.
Inside the BERNINA 790 Pro
Stitchprecision² Technology
A redesigned mechanical system built into the 790 Pro's architecture that reduces vibration and noise, making sewing and quilting quieter and more controlled at every speed. The 14kg full-metal body works alongside this system to keep the machine firmly planted during intensive use, so stitch quality stays consistent from the first seam to the last.
BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR)
Included with the machine. Measures your hand movement speed and adjusts stitch length in real time during free-motion quilting, so stitches remain even regardless of how you pace your work. Works on straight stitch and zigzag.
Adaptive Thread Tension and BERNINA Hook System
Adaptive Thread Tension detects the stitch type and fabric being used and sets thread tension continuously while you sew, so you get clean stitch formation on both sides without manual input. The BERNINA Hook system pairs with a jumbo bobbin that holds up to 70% more thread than a standard bobbin, reducing how often you need to stop and reload. Upper and lower thread indicators give advance warning before either runs out.
BERNINA Dual Feed and Sideways Motion
BERNINA Dual Feed (BDF) feeds fabric simultaneously from top and bottom using integrated feed teeth. This is particularly effective on layered or challenging fabrics where one-sided feeding causes shifting or distortion. Sideways Motion feed extends this capability further, moving fabric laterally as well as forward to enable the machine's 117 decorative sideways motion stitches and monogram work without rotating the fabric.
Pinpoint Laser and Stitch Designer
The Pinpoint Laser projects a precise point of light to show where the needle will enter the fabric, active in all 11 needle positions, giving accurate placement on topstitching, patchwork and detailed decorative work. The Stitch Designer complements this precision at the screen level, letting you draw, edit and combine stitch elements directly on the 7-inch touchscreen to create original patterns. Finished designs are saved to the machine's long-term memory and available through the Personal Program.

Product Specifications
Accessories In The Box
- 1 x Accessories box
- 1 x Free Hand System (Knee Lift)
- 1 x Slide-on table (Extension table)
- 3 x Spool disc
- 4 x Bobbin
- 2 x Foam pad
- 1 x Touchscreen pen
- 1 x Seam ripper
- 1 x Height compensating tool
- 1 x Selection of needles
- 1 x Seam Guide, right
- 1 x Screwdriver Torx, gray
- 1 x Screwdriver red (slot)
- 1 x Angular Torx wrench
- 1 x Brush
- 1 x Oil Pen
- 1 x Power cable
- 1 x Foot control
- 1 x Soft cover with pocket
Feet In The Box
- 1 x BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR)
- 1 x Reverse-pattern foot #1C
- 1 x Reverse-pattern foot #1D
- 1 x Buttonhole foot with slide #3A
- 1 x Zipper foot #4D
- 1 x Blindstitch foot #5
- 1 x Jeans Foot #8D
- 1 x Drop-shaped embroidery foot #26L
- 1 x Sideways-motion foot #40C
- 1 x Open Embroidery Foot #20
Machine Dimensions & Weight
- Machine size (W x D x H): 20.5" x 8.4" x 14.1"
- Machine weight: 14kg
- Workspace: 10 inches (254mm) to the right of the needle
- Workspace height: 5 inches
- Colour touchscreen: 7 inches (18cm)
Stitch Options and Controls
- Total built-in stitches: 2,040
- Utility stitches: 32
- Decorative stitches: 700
- Decorative sideways motion stitches: 139
- Quilting stitches: 70
- Cross-stitch programs: 37
- Tapering/skyline stitches: 28/30
- Sewing alphabets: 9
- Monograms: 1
- Buttonholes (including eyelet): 16
- Darning programs: 2
- Maximum stitch width: 9mm
- Maximum stitch length: 6mm
- Maximum sewing speed: 1,000 stitches per minute
- Needle positions: 11
- Sewing in each needle position: Yes
- Number of spool holders: 2
- LCD display: 7-inch colour touchscreen
Sewing Features and Functions
- Stitchprecision² technology
- BERNINA Dual Feed (BDF)
- BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR): straight stitch and zigzag (separate BSR foot required)
- Adaptive Thread Tension
- Automatic thread cutter
- Semi-automatic needle threader
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Manual thread cutter: 3
- 360° directional sewing
- Sideways motion feed
- Stitch Designer
- Pinpoint Laser
- Automatic buttonhole with automatic length measuring system
- Manual multi-step buttonhole
- Button sew-on program
- Pattern start/end function
- Elongation
- Programmable securing function
- Connecting stitches
- Monograms with sideways motion
- Tapering/skyline stitches
- Start/stop button (stitching without foot control)
- Slide speed control
- Needle stop up/down
- Changing stitch settings while sewing
- Bobbin winding while sewing
- Upper thread indicator
- Lower thread indicator
- Create and save stitch combinations
- Memory: short-term and long-term altered stitches
- Personal program
- History function (most recently used stitch patterns)
- On-screen help
- Sewing tutorial
- Creative Consultant
- Setup program
- Eco mode
- BERNINA foot control with back-kick function
- Multi-function knobs
- LED sewing lights: 30
- Optional embroidery module available
Bobbin and Needle System
- Hook system: BERNINA Hook
- Bobbin: jumbo bobbin, holds up to 70% more thread than a standard bobbin
Connectivity
- USB interface for PC connection
- USB interface for USB data stick
- Wi-Fi
Warranty & Support
The BERNINA 790 Pro is covered by a full BERNINA 7-year parts and labour warranty. Our support team is here if you ever need help or servicing.
Product Downloads
Ratings & Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us help with the answers.
What is the BERNINA Stitch Regulator and do I need it for quilting?
The BSR is particularly useful if you do free-motion quilting and find it difficult to keep stitches even at different speeds. It reads your hand movement speed continuously and responds so that stitches stay consistent whether you move slowly on tight curves or quickly across open areas. It is included with the 790 Pro, so there is no additional cost.
How does Stitchprecision² differ from a standard machine?
On a standard machine, vibration increases at higher speeds and can affect stitch placement and noise levels. Stitchprecision² addresses this at a mechanical level, so the 790 Pro runs quietly and performs consistently even during sustained high-speed sewing. For sewers who spend long periods at the machine, this makes a noticeable practical difference.
Can the 790 Pro handle thick or layered fabrics?
Yes. BERNINA Dual Feed is built into the machine rather than being an add-on foot, which means it is ready to use whenever you need it. It feeds fabric from both directions at once, so multiple layers move through at the same rate and you get even seams without the top layer creeping forward.
What does the pinpoint laser actually help with?
It is most useful on work where needle placement needs to be exact before you commit the stitch: topstitching close to an edge, aligning patchwork points or positioning a decorative stitch on a specific part of the fabric. The laser works across every needle position, so precise placement is available wherever you need it.
Can I use the Stitch Designer without prior experience?
The Stitch Designer works directly on the touchscreen and is designed to be used without technical knowledge of stitch programming. You draw and edit on screen and the machine handles the mechanics. Finished patterns are saved to the Personal Program, so anything you create is available to use again on future projects.
Is an embroidery module available for the 790 Pro?
Yes, an optional embroidery module is available as a separate purchase. This means you can buy the 790 Pro as a sewing and quilting machine now and add embroidery capability later when you are ready.
Our standard width fabric can be cut as a Fat Quarter, measuring 50cm x 1/2 the width of the bolt. Above is an example of how your fabric will be received, depending on the quantity ordered.
We also offer a sample service, where you can order 1 single fat quarter of any standard width fabric, to have at home and compare colours. When you are finished, you can send them back to us for a refund (feel free to contact us for more information on this service).
Our fabric can be cut as a Long Quarter, measuring a minimum of 25cm x width of bolt. We will supply the fabric as a continuous length (eg; if you bought 1.25m it will be sent as one piece of fabric).
