How the Swiss Brand BERNINA Won the Hearts of Global Sewists
Like so many in the stitchy scene, Peppermint’s sewing coordinator, Laura Jackson, learned her craft on a BERNINA. “The machine won’t do anything you don’t tell it to do,” she recalls her mum saying during their first lesson, the two of them sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, hands poised over the precious BERNINA.
By that point, Laura was 11 years old and finally tall enough to reach the pedal (and tackle the very ’90s STRETCH fabrics she insisted on learning with). “Mum bought the machine well before I was born,” she says. “She chose the model and saved to buy the best one she could get. To say she loved it would be an understatement.”
There’s something about the BERNINA brand that triggers nostalgia. Say the word out loud and you’ll get tales of wedding gifts, investment purchases and the handing down of treasured skills.
For many sewists, it’s the machine they learned to sew with. In part, that’s because the Swiss company works with schools to provide reliable machines and support for their classrooms, ensuring the next generation knows how to thread a bobbin.
“Sewing is not only a life skill,” says Kerrie Hay, the national product educator for BERNINA Australia. “It’s something that brings people together, fostering a sense of community and connection. Owning a BERNINA is more than just a purchase; it’s an investment and a lifelong passion.” Like Laura, Kerrie learned on a BERNINA, though her lessons were in the classroom.
“After sewing on BERNINA machines at school, it was always a dream to eventually have one of my own,” she says. Then, in her early 20s, Kerrie landed the ultimate gig: a job at BERNINA’s Australian flagship. “This meant that I was spoiled for choice – every day felt like having the ultimate sewing dream come true, the whole store was my playground,” she recalls, “I had the ability to use whatever machine I liked.”
Fast-forward 40 years and Kerrie (an accomplished quilter) is still with BERNINA: “How lucky could one be?!” She knows more about the range than anyone else in the country, so we hit her with the big question: what sets a BERNINA apart from your average sewing machine?
On that, she’s matter-of-fact: “The machines are renowned for their innovative features, reliable stitch quality, durability, precision and ease of use – everything you could ask for in a sewing machine” Plus, Kerrie says, when you buy a BERNINA, you get access to a support network that will help you get the most out of your machine, whether you’re new to the game or sewing at a professional level. “This includes warranties, authorised dealer assistance, educational workshops, online tutorials, technical support and a vibrant community of sewists.” While Kerrie acknowledges they are often more expensive than other brands, she says that “many users believe the investment is worthwhile for the quality and reliability they receive”.
The same goes if you purchase a bernette. Made for BERNINA, they launched the bernette brand in 1989. Machines in this range are BERNINA’s more affordable siblings, perfect for first-timers and those seeking an affordable yet reliable set-up.
Kerrie has seen all kinds of technical developments in her 40 years at BERNINA; even so, it’s fair to say this long-term employee values consistency. She believes stability is a big reason for the brand’s success, both in Australia and around the world. Ever since Karl Friedrich Gegauf created the first hemstitch machine in 1893, launching the company that would become BERNINA, the brand has been owned and operated by the same family. “BERNINA’s history is rich with innovation, dedication, and a commitment to quality that spans over 130 years,” Kerrie says.
ABOVE: Fritz Gegauf and his daughter Odette Ueltschi-Gegauf
“It wasn’t till 1932 that the first machine to bear the BERNINA name was launched,” explains Kerrie. “This was a household sewing machine that set a new standard for versatility and precision. The name ‘BERNINA’ was inspired by the Piz BERNINA, the highest summit in the Eastern Alps, symbolising the peak of excellence that the company aimed for in its products that would last a lifetime.”
In 1945, Karl’s son, Fritz Gegauf, took over the reins from his father and was instrumental in expanding the brand’s reach and capabilities. “BERNINA developed its first zigzag sewing machine which allowed users to create a wider variety of stitches and patterns, enhancing the creativity and functionality of sewing projects,” says Kerrie.
ABOVE: From 1959, Fritz Gegauf entrusted his daughter Odette Ueltschi with the leadership of BERNINA and she was able to take over as president of the company in 1979.
BERNINA is especially popular with quilters, so we asked Kerrie why that is: “BERNINA’s combination of precision, innovation and tailored quilting features make it a favourite among quilters,” she says. “From the BERNINA Stitch Regulator and integrated dual feed to the large throat space and high build quality, BERNINA machines provide the tools and reliability quilters need to create beautiful, lasting quilts. This specialised focus on the needs of quilters has solidified BERNINA’s reputation as a top choice in the quilting world.”
Throughout its history, BERNINA has remained a family-owned company, with the Gegauf family continuing to lead and oversee its operations. “This continuity has allowed BERNINA to stay true to its original values of precision, innovation, and quality,” Kerrie says. “Today, it’s run by the fourth and fifth generations of the Gegauf family, ensuring the company’s legacy is maintained while setting the bar for the cutting-edge, computerised machines of today.”
Not only are the BERNINA machines built to last a lifetime, they’re also woven through the threads of many sewists’ lives. As Laura reflects – “How amazing to know that that core memory represents the starting point of a life-long love for creating with my hands.”
