“Absolutely love this machine. The stitch quality is superb and it handles everything I throw at it.”
BERNINA 790E Ultra Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Designed for limitless creativity with the latest in sewing, embroidery and quilting technology
£8,445.00
Spread the cost from
£224.42 per month over 48 months*
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What our customers say
Shop with confidence today knowing that our sewing machine prices are the lowest possible. If we lower our prices within 14 days of your purchase, we'll refund you the difference.
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This machine is covered by a full BERNINA 7-year parts and labour warranty. And if you ever need support or servicing, our team is always here to help.
Changed your mind? You've got 30 days to return any new, unused items in their original packaging.
Need advice?
Our in-house team knows every detail of this machine. Call, message or chat and get honest, expert advice from people who actually sew.
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).
BERNINA 790E ULTRA Product Review
The BERNINA 790E ULTRA is an advanced sewing, quilting and embroidery machine for accomplished dressmakers, quilters and makers who have mastered their craft and are ready to explore new levels of precision, creativity and expression. It is a sophisticated model with an extensive range of fully customisable settings, a generous sewing area and a wealth of considered features.
Included with your machine is the innovative BERNINA Integrated Stitch Regulator (BISR) which works across all quilting applications, including Ruler Work and freehand quilting presser feet. Stitch length remains consistent whether you move the fabric quickly or slowly, giving you greater control and precision throughout every quilting project.
The extensive stitch library includes 2,248 built-in stitches, with a maximum stitch width of 9mm and maximum stitch length of 6mm, both adjustable while you sew. Jumbo Stitch allows stitch patterns and monograms to be resized from 25% to 500%, transforming a single decorative stitch into a bold design feature. With Stitch Designer, you can create, draw and edit your own stitches directly on screen, while 171 sideways motion stitches allow you to sew multi-directional designs without turning the fabric.
The 13-inch (330mm) extended freearm provides an impressive 10 inches (254mm) of workspace to the right of the needle, with 5 inches of height beneath the arm, providing ample room to accommodate large and bulky projects such as folded quilts. BERNINA Adaptive Thread Tension continuously monitors tension once it has been set for your chosen fabric and thread, making adjustments as required for consistent stitch quality. BERNINA Dual Feed provides even fabric feeding from above and below when working with challenging materials, and neatly disengages when it is no longer needed. The Pinpoint Laser indicates the precise needle entry point across all 11 needle positions, while the automatic needle threader threads the needle at the touch of a button.
The included Embroidery Module L with Smart Drive Technology opens up even more creative possibilities. You will enjoy an elevated embroidery experience from the very first stitch with a choice of 610 built-in embroidery designs, 120 customisable quilt designs and 25 embroidery alphabets. There are 3 embroidery hoops included (small, medium and large oval). Endless Embroidery allows motifs to be aligned seamlessly for borders that extend beyond the dimensions of the hoop, while the freearm makes it possible to embroider tubular items such as sleeves and t-shirts without additional tools.
With WiFi connectivity, designs can be transferred wirelessly to and from BERNINA Embroidery Software 9, while the Stitchout App keeps you updated on embroidery progress directly to your phone.
Key Features
What makes this machine worth it
Machine Type
Sew, quilting and embroidery
Stitch Range
2,248 built-in stitches, maximum 9mm width
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 automatic needle threader
Embroidery Area
Up to 400 x 210mm with optional Maxi hoop
Skill Level
Confident and professional sewers and quilters
Machine Weight
14kg
This machine is perfect for
- Accomplished sewers who are passionate about dressmaking, embroidery, quilting and textile art
- Ambitious quilters looking to explore more ambitious quilt embroidery designs - there are 120 customisable quilt designs
- Free-motion sewers - the BISR is included with the 790 ULTRA
- Textile artists and creative sewers needing excellent fabric feeding, generous workspace and extensive customisation options
Can sew but not ideal for
- Sewers needing portability for frequent travel to classes or sewing retreats. This model suits a dedicated sewing space. Use our free Machine Match Service and we'll recommend a model suited to your needs.
Not suitable for
- Complete beginners may find the advanced and wide range of features overwhelming. Use our free Machine Match Service and we'll recommend a model suited to your level of experience
- This is a premium domestic machine that confidently handles thick fabrics but it is not an industrial model suited to continuous heavy duty work
Materials and Build Quality
You will enjoy an elevated embroidery experience from the very first stitch. The enhanced Embroidery Module with Smart Drive Technology (SDT) is included and enhanced by BERNINA stitchprecision2 Technology for faster performance and exceptional stitch quality. Thanks to the freearm, you can easily embroider tubular projects such as t-shirts and more, without extra tools.
Automatic stitch regulation is now possible with all quilting applications including Ruler Work, thanks to the innovative BERNINA Integrated Stitch Regulator (BISR). Simply attach the included BERNINA 5.5mm BISR Stitch Plate with sensor and the quilting foot of your choice to achieve perfect quilting stitches with the exact same length at variable sewing speeds.
The Customisable Quilt Designs (.bqm) bring the functionality of professional longarm quilting to your embroidery machine. Unlimited scaling possibilities, the ability to modify the stitches per inch (SPI) and enhanced quilt securing functions enable you to achieve perfect computerized quilting on your embroidery machine. You can save your own quilt designs as BQM and read and embroider BQM plus other formats all on the 790E ULTRA.
The Difference is in the Details
The BERNINA Hook sews high-precision stitches up to 9 mm in width with speeds up to 1,000 stitches per minute. The front loading, easy access Jumbo Bobbin holds up to 70% more thread than standard bobbins, allowing you to sew and embroider longer.
The enhanced Embroidery Module with Smart Drive Technology (SDT) is included and enhanced by BERNINA stitchprecision2 Technology for faster performance and exceptional stitch quality.
Few brands can match BERNINA's reputation for quality of engineering, design and durability. You know that when you buy a BERNINA, you have a sewing companion for the long-term. Each machine is designed for consistent performance over years of use. BERNINA sewing machines come with a 7-year parts and labour warranty. Register your machine as soon as you receive it to activate the warranty.
Our in-house team at The Sewing Studio are authorised BERNINA retailers with over twenty years of experience matching sewers to the right machine. Our team of experts are available to support you with questions before you purchase as well as advice after you've bought your machine.
The built-in Help Center gives you instant access to tutorials, the user manual, the Creative Consultant and more. You can even connect the Help Center to your tablet or smartphone via WiFi by scanning the on-screen QR code.
The 790E ULTRA enhances every step of your sewing journey with a centrally located 7" colour touch screen that responds to intuitive gestures like drag, drop, and swipe. Prefer even more precision? Simply plug in a mouse and navigate the display with ease.
The Free Hand System knee lifter raises the presser foot and lowers the feed dog without taking your hands off the fabric, and eco mode saves power and locks the machine when you step away.
BERNINA 790E ULTRA: A Machine for Every Maker
And every project
Ambitious Quilters
Ambitious quilters who are ready to explore more advanced and customisable quilt designs and free-motion quilting will appreciate the versatility, creativity and stitch precision.
There are 120 customisable Quilt Designs to select from bringing the functionality of professional longarm quilting to your embroidery machine. The machine is multi-format design compatible so you can upload your own designs. With unlimited scaling possibilities, you have the ability to modify the stitches per inch (SPI) while the enhanced quilt securing functions enable you to achieve perfect computerised quilting.
Use the Stitch Designer to draw and refine your own stitches right on the touch screen. Paired with Sideways Motion, the machine stitches in multiple directions, opening up a new level of freedom for decorative work. This powerful combination lets you bring unique patterns and expressive designs to life with ease and precision.
Advanced Dressmakers
The BERNINA 790E ULTRA is engineered for those who see garment making as a craft. Designed for everything from couture and bridalwear to cosplay and advanced dressmaking, it delivers exceptional precision across every stage of construction, finishing and decorative work. It offers superb stitch accuracy on delicate lace and chiffon to more challenging fabrics such as silk velvet and netting.
Fully customise your garments with a choice of 610 built-in stunning embroidery designs and 25 embroidery alphabets. With 360° multi-directional sewing, you can create and refine your own stitch designs directly on the touchscreen. Combined with Sideways Motion, the machine stitches in multiple directions, giving experienced dressmakers greater creative freedom to add distinctive decorative details and truly bespoke finishes.
Textile Artists and Creative Sewers
The 790E ULTRA is ideal for makers who have developed their craft into an art form. It's engineered for the precision, space and creative freedom to achieve stunning results. There is generous workspace alongside extensive customisation options.
The BERNINA Pinpoint Laser shows exactly where the needle will enter the fabric and marks your start and travel points as you sew and embroider. For bold decorative effects, the Jumbo Stitch function lets you enlarge stitches by up to 500%, opening up new possibilities for expressive stitch work.
Inside the BERNINA 790E ULTRA
Automatic Stitch Plate Recognition
Three sensor-enabled stitch plates are identified the moment they click into place, and the machine will not sew if the wrong plate is fitted for the selected stitch.
Smart Drive Technology Embroidery Module
The Embroidery Module L drives the hoop using Smart Drive Technology, a redesigned drive system that moves the hoop more smoothly and quietly than the module it replaces.
Customisable Quilt Designs
120 quilt designs in .bqm format scale without limit and let you set stitches per inch, bringing longarm-style computerised quilting to a domestic embroidery machine.
Crop and Connect
Crop trims a quilt design along a freely set line or to the hoop edge. Connect merges several designs into one pattern using connection stitches.
Automatic Thread Management
Programmable jump stitch cutting removes manual trimming, Smart Secure adds missing tie-offs, and Thread Away Mode pulls thread tails to the back of the work.
Product Specifications
Hoops in the Box
- 1 x Small Embroidery Hoop (50 x 72mm)
- 1 x Medium Embroidery Hoop (100 x 130mm)
- 1 x Large Oval Embroidery Hoop (145 x 255mm)
Feet in the Box
- 1 x Reverse-pattern foot #1C
- 1 x Reverse-pattern foot #1D
- 1 x Overlock Foot #2A
- 1 x Buttonhole foot with slide #3A
- 1 x Zipper foot #4D
- 1 x Blindstitch foot #5
- 1 x Jeans Foot #8D
- 1 x Open Embroidery Foot #20C
- 1 x Embroidery Foot #26L
- 1 x Sideways-motion foot #40C
Accessories In The Box
- 1 x Embroidery Module L with Smart Drive Technology
- 3 x Embroidery hoop templates
- 1 x Soft Cover with pocket
- 1 x Power cable
- 1 x Net for thread spool
- 1 x Embroidery needle assortment SUK
- 1 x Template holder
- 1 x Sewing Thread Set
- 1 x Angular wrench
- 2 x Screwdriver
- 1 x Brush
- 1 x Selection of needles
- 1 x Seam guide, right
- 1 x Seam ripper
- 1 Height compensation tool
- 5 x Bobbins
- 2 x Foam pads
- 1 x Spool cap D43
- 1 x Spool cap D12
- 1 x Spool cap D27
- 1 x Programmable Foot control
- 1 x Straight and CutWork Stitch Plate with Sensor
- 1 x 5.5mm BISR Stitch Plate with Sensor
- 1 x Freearm Slide-on Table
- 1 x Seam Guide for Slide-on Table
- 1 x Knee lifter/Free-Hand System (FHS)
- 1 x Touchscreen Pen
- 1 x Sewing Machine Oil
- 1 x BERNINA Accessory Box
Machine Dimensions and Weight
- Machine weight: 14kg
- Extended freearm: 13 inches (330mm)
- Workspace: 10 inches (254mm) to the right of the needle
- Workspace height: 5 inches (127mm)
- Colour touchscreen: 7 inches (177.8mm)
- LED sewing lights: 30
Stitch Options and Controls
- Total built-in stitch patterns including alphabets: 2,248
- Utility stitches: 38
- Decorative stitches: 754
- Quilting stitches: 74
- Sideways motion stitches: 171
- Sewing alphabets: 10
- Monograms: 1
- Connecting stitches
- Tapering stitch patterns: 28
- Banner stitch patterns: 30
- Darning programs: 2
- Buttonholes and eyelets: 17/2
- Automatic one-step buttonhole with length measuring system
- Manual multi-step buttonhole
- Adjustable buttonhole slit width
- Maximum stitch width: 9mm, adjustable while sewing
- Maximum stitch length: 6mm, adjustable while sewing
- Maximum sewing speed: 1,000 stitches per minute
- Needle positions: 11
- Jumbo Stitch: resizes stitch patterns and monograms from 25% to 500%
- Stitch Designer for creating and editing 9mm and sideways motion stitches
- Total Stitch Control
- 360° directional sewing
- Monograms with sideways motion
- Elongation, basting stitch, long stitch, triple stitch
- Balance setting
- Pattern begin
- Pattern end
- Pattern repeat
- Mirror-image function
- Undo and redo in sewing
- Personal memory
- Security function for needle and stitch plate
- Continuous reverse and backstepping
- Presser foot recommendation and presser foot selection
- Fit to Screen and drag and drop stitch positioning
- Temporary altered stitch memory
- History function: last 24 stitch patterns retained after power off
- Import and export stitches via USB
- Spool holders: 2 (horizontal and vertical)
- Manual thread cutters: 3
Sewing Features and Functions
- BERNINA stitchprecision2 Technology
- BERNINA Integrated Stitch Regulator (BISR), works with the BISR Stitch Plate and all BERNINA freehand quilting presser feet and accessories
- BISR 3 Mode for free-motion basting, with SPI2 and SPI4 stitch lengths
- Adjustable minimum stitching speed in BSR/BISR 1 Mode
- Adjustable stitch length in stitches per inch (SPI) in BSR/BISR
- KickStart function for continuous stitch-regulated quilting without the foot control
- BERNINA Adaptive Thread Tension
- BERNINA Dual Feed
- BERNINA Pinpoint Laser, active in every needle position
- Automatic needle threader
- Automatic thread cutter with two programmable tie-off types
- Automatic presser foot lifter
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Presser foot hover function
- Automatic stitch plate detection
- Retractable feed dog
- Freearm sewing
- Button sew-on program
- Powerful DC motor
- Hammer Mode: drives the needle through more than 30 layers of fabric
- BERNINA Free Hand System (FHS) knee lifter
- Start/stop button for sewing without the foot control
- Slide speed control
- Needle stop up/down
- Thread-up command
- Needle reminder
- Upper thread sensor
- Lower thread sensor
- Bobbin winding while sewing or embroidering
- Multi-function knobs, adjustment in 0.05 increments
- Help Center: Quick Start, onboard manual and Consultant
- Tutorial function with animated demonstrations
- Creative Consultant
- eco mode with child safety lock
- Adjustable display brightness
- BERNINA foot control with back-kick function, programmable
Embroidery Features and Functions
- Embroidery Module L with Smart Drive Technology (SDT), included
- Maximum embroidery area: 400 x 210mm (15.7" x 8.3") with optional Maxi hoop
- Midi hoop functionality: 265 x 165mm (10.5" x 6.5")
- Mega hoop functionality: 400 x 150mm (15.7" x 5.9")
- Maxi hoop functionality: 400 x 210mm (15.7" x 8.3")
- Jumbo hoop functionality: limited embroidery field 400 x 210mm (15.7" x 8.3")
- Maximum embroidery speed: 1,000 stitches per minute
- Built-in embroidery designs: 610
- Embroidery alphabets: 25
- Customisable quilt designs (.bqm): 120
- Freearm embroidery for tubular items
- Automatic hoop recognition
- On-screen editing of designs
- Duplicate and add designs
- Change design size proportionally and non-proportionally
- Move, rotate and mirror
- Align and distribute designs horizontally and vertically
- Endless Embroidery for borders longer than the hoop
- Shape Designer
- Colour Wheel
- QWERTY keyboard
- WordArt with vertical, horizontal and curved baselines
- Multi-line lettering and text alignment, up to 10 lines
- Drag and drop positioning
- Start and stop editing
- Virtual positioning
- Absolute Check design positioning
- 2-Point Placement
- 3-Point Placement with morphing
- 4-Point Placement with morphing
- Lock scaling and check design size
- Group, ungroup, rearrange and undo/redo
- Adjust stitch density
- Change stitch type
- Change thread brand
- Basting around the design or inner hoop
- Colour resequence
- Stitch design as single or multi-colour
- Personal memory for saving embroidery designs
- Programmable jump stitch cutting
- Smart Secure and Invisible Secure
- Centring the embroidery design
- Thread Away Mode
- Switch unit of measurement between inches and millimetres
- Embroidery Creative Consultant
- Embroider sewing stitches, including buttonholes
- Embroidery sequence control after thread breakage
- Position recall after power failure
- Adjustable stitch length (SPI) for customisable quilt designs
- Connect and save quilt designs as BQM
- View stitch-out time, thread colours, size and stitch count
Bobbin and Needle System
- Hook system: BERNINA Hook
- Jumbo Bobbin: front loading, holds approximately 100 metres of thread, up to 70% more than a standard bobbin
- Lower thread sensor alerts at approximately 10% remaining, around 10 metres of thread
- Upper thread sensor indicates when the upper thread breaks or runs out
- Automatic needle threader from needle size 70 upwards
- Needle positions: 11
Connectivity
- Total memory: 256 MB
- WiFi for design transfer to and from BERNINA Embroidery Software 9
- BERNINA Stitchout App for remote monitoring of embroidery progress and thread colours
- Help Center content viewable on a tablet or phone via on-screen QR code
- USB interface for embroidery design and stitch import and export
- USB mouse compatible (Type A or C)
- Embroidery formats read: EXP, DST, PES, PEC, JEF, SEW, PCS, XXX
- Quilt design formats read: BQM, HQF, PAT, PLT, QLI
Warranty and Support
The BERNINA 790E ULTRA is covered by a full BERNINA 7-year parts and labour warranty. Servicing and repairs are handled by our own workshop, and our sewing experts are here if you need help getting the most from the machine.
Product Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us help with the answers.
Do I still need the separate BSR Foot?
No. Regulation is handled by the machine itself, so you fit the included BISR stitch plate and quilt with whichever BERNINA freehand foot you prefer, ruler work included. If you already own a BSR foot it remains compatible, so nothing in your existing kit goes to waste.
Is the Embroidery Module included in the price?
Yes. The Embroidery Module L comes with the machine rather than being an add-on purchase, along with the Small, Medium and Large Oval hoops. That means you can sew, quilt and embroider from the day it arrives, with larger hoops available separately as your projects grow.
Can this replace a Longarm for quilting?
For most home quilters, yes, though it depends on your quilt size. The workspace and the computerised quilt designs let you finish full-size quilts without sending the work out, and stitch regulation covers free-motion and ruler work. A frame-mounted longarm still has the advantage on very large quilts and sustained volume, so it comes down to how many you make and how big they are.
Is it too much machine if I'm upgrading from a mid-range model?
It is a lot of capability, but the machine is built to be learned gradually. The onboard Consultant and tutorials mean you can sew normally from day one and pick up the embroidery and quilting functions as you want them. The 7-inch touchscreen responds to drag, drop and swipe, so the way you navigate it will already feel familiar. Chat with one of our machine experts online or contact us to talk through where you are now and whether this is the right step.
Can I embroider a t-shirt or jacket back without buying extra kit?
The freearm takes tubular items such as t-shirts and sleeves using the included hoops with no additional tools. A jacket back needs the optional Maxi hoop, which opens up the machine's full 400 x 210mm embroidery field. The three hoops in the box top out at 145 x 255mm, which covers most garment and gift work but not a jacket back in a single hooping.
Need advice?
Our in-house team makes it their job to know these machines inside and out. Call, message or chat to get honest, expert advice from people who actually sew.
Give us a call
Our team is ready to guide you through any questions and help you order with confidence.
01209 216 942
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