BERNINA Corporate Blog -Yesterday was A BIG DAY for BERNINA and, we hope, for many sewing fans around the world. At BERNINA University, a trade conference organized by our US subsidiary BERNINA of America, we launched our new top-of-the-line model, the B 990. A sewing and embroidery machine in a class of its own.
Since 2017, the engineers here at our Swiss headquarters in Steckborn have been working intensively – but in strict secrecy – on the BERNINA 990. Now the machine has been revealed and presented to the public for the first time, with the headline “Create your Magic”.
More than 1,000 people attended the conference in Detroit. They were wowed by the product presentation and the possibilities offered by the B 990.
The BERNINA 990 sets new standards, not just for us, but for the entire industry. On Instagram, where we posted a video about the machine shortly after the first announcement at BERNINA University, someone wrote: “Game changer 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”. We gladly agree with this statement. A very creative customer, Barbara Douthat, expressed her joy about the B 990 in a poem, which we added at the end of this article.
But first, see the magic of the B 990 for yourself:
What do you think? Do you also have goosebumps? Together with many colleagues, I was able to watch a live broadcast of the US conference last night. I can tell you that we were all extremely proud to be part of this story and the BERNINA family.
The video above doesn’t show all the innovations by far. In this blog article, too, I will not present the full range of functions of the BERNINA 990 in detail, but will limit myself to the most important features. However, you can look forward to hearing and reading about the B 990 from time to time in the coming weeks and months. Pay particular attention to the articles by Claudia Geiser, who will be presenting the machine step by step in the blog. The machine will be on sale around the world at different times, so visit the website or check in with your dealer to learn about the date of delivery for your area.
Are you curious and want to find out more right now? No problem, you can already find all the information about the BERNINA 990 at https://www.bernina.com/b990
Project name “Hibiscus” – technology in full bloom
The history of BERNINA is rich in innovations, starting with the invention of the hemstitch sewing machine by company founder Karl Friedrich Gegauf in 1893. The BERNINA 990 is an exceptional model for us and the launch is a grand milestone – also for our company owner Hanspeter Ueltschi, the great-grandson of the founder. It’s #ABIGDAY!
Initial clarifications on the B 990 under the project name “Hibiscus” took place back in 2014. From 2017, work on the new machine was carried out meticulously and in strict secrecy.
The BERNINA 990 is manufactured here in beautiful Steckborn.
From my office window, I look out onto the roof of the Steckborn assembly line (other employees look out onto the lake, but that’s less spectacular at the moment 😊). The new machine is being built before my eyes, so to speak.
Are you curious to see what it looks like here, who worked on the creation of one of the most modern sewing and embroidery machines in the world and how? Then take a look behind the scenes with me:
Note again: The video only shows a small part of the process. We have picked out some of our colleagues who worked so passionately to ensure that the machine was launched so successfully yesterday. In addition to these lovely people, however, there are so many other people who have made an important contribution. You could say that over the last few years, everyone within the BERNINA organization has worked on the BERNINA 990 project in one way or another and helped the “Hibiscus” to blossom.
Sewing, quilting and embroidering like magic with the B 990
The new BERNINA sews at 1,200 stitches per minute, offers 2,927 stitches and 879 integrated embroidery designs and is equipped with many innovative functions, such as a scanner, camera and laser, which enable precise placement of designs directly on the ergonomic 10″ display which is built into the center of the machine. The machine is 26 ½” (67 cm) wide and offers an astonishing 14″ (356 mm) of space to the right of the needle.
You might be thinking: So many functions, such a complex machine – will I be able to work with it? Mary Jane, a US quilter who was invited to test the BERNINA 990, had the same thoughts. Mary Jane has been sewing, quilting and embroidering for many years. Nevertheless, she approached the assignment with caution. “I thought the B 990 might intimidate me.” The opposite was the case: “I knew after two minutes that I could do it.” Get to know Mary Jane in the following video:
In the behind-the-scenes video shown earlier, my colleague Andrea Goddard mentioned that particular attention was paid to the user-friendly handling of the B 990 during its development. Henrique Wolter, Head of Product Management for BERNINA sewing and embroidery machines, whom you can also see in the video, echoes this sentiment: “We don’t introduce technology for technology’s sake. New features must offer our customers added value. Now we have a powerful machine that is also intuitive to use.”
Indeed, sewing, embroidering and quilting with the BERNINA 990 is easier than ever. This is thanks to the centrally positioned, huge 10-inch touchscreen with control via multi-touch gestures, symbols with text descriptions and intuitive interactions. The screen can be operated with multi-touch gestures using your fingers, just like a smartphone. It can also be operated with the supplied touchscreen pen and even with a computer mouse (not included).
The user manual is integrated into this machine (of course it is also available in printed form). You can access it with one click and search through the manual easily. Or you can start the sewing consultant with step-by-step instructions. The Help Center can be accessed via your personal device (tablet or smartphone) by simply scanning the QR code on the screen, so you always have the information on hand.
The BERNINA 990 has numerous extraordinary innovations that take sewing, quilting and embroidery to a new dimension. Here are five of them.
The BERNINA Integrated Stitch Regulator (BISR)
This technical innovation will change and revolutionize your quilting experience. For the first time, automatic stitch regulation is possible for all quilting applications, including Ruler Work. The Stitch Regulator is no longer attached as a separate presser foot, but is integrated into the hook area and “looks up” through the stitch plate onto the underside of the fabric. The Integrated Stitch Regulator works automatically with the 5.5 mm BISR Stitch Plate with Sensor and all BERNINA quilting presser feet and accessories, such as the Adjustable Ruler Foot. Did I mention that the B 990 automatically recognizes the stitch plate? 😉
The Giant Embroidery Hoop of the B 990
The name speaks for itself. The Giant Embroidery Hoop is gigantic. It has an embroidery area of 16.1″ x 12″ (410 x 305 mm). You can hula hoop with it – or embroider a complete 12 x 12 inch quilt block, for example. With the ergonomic twist lock and the neat markings on the inner frame as well as the template for aligning a 12-inch square, you can hoop and rehoop your quilting projects quickly and easily. Effortless quilting for even the largest quilts!
Not to mention the wonderful large embroidery designs for garments and accessories:
The Giant Embroidery Hoop is mounted on the new Stickmodul XL (SDT). Both the hoop and the module are included with the BERNINA 990.
BERNINA Placement Scanner and Camera
The B 990 has a built-in scanner that you can use to scan the project clamped in the embroidery hoop. You get a precise preview of how your designs will look after embroidering. The display of the hooped fabric on the screen makes placement easier and provides a realistic preview of the embroidery colors and sizes. You can even send the scanned fabric background via WiFi to the optional BERNINA Embroidery Software 9 for further use.
And yes, WiFi is also integrated in the BERNINA 990. The B 990 can therefore connect to the BERNINA Stitchout App. This makes it possible for you to check the status of the embroidery from any room in your house or apartment. If the machine needs attention, e.g. when changing threads or when the design is finished, you will be notified.
The scanner’s view can also be used as a camera. When the camera is activated, the needle area is displayed live on the 10-inch screen. You have a perfect view of the fabric or embroidery design and full control over the stitch placement.
Jumbo-Stitch
The BERNINA 990 is a machine of superlatives in many aspects. Great things are also possible with the new Jumbo Stitch function. You can now enlarge any stitch up to 500% of its original size!
Furthermore, you can create your own stitches by drawing your ideas directly on the touchscreen with the Stitch Designer.
Automatic Needle Threader
With the Automatic Needle Threader on the B 990, the upper thread can be threaded at the push of a button. Conveniently and quickly, every time. The Automatic Needle Threader makes it easy to get started and guarantees simple thread changes. Sewing and embroidery needles from a size of 70 and up can be threaded automatically. To quote Mary Jane from the video above: “I just love, love the threader.” We do too. 😊
B 990: The next generation of sewing
Our objectives when developing the new machine were ambitious. We wanted to have the best domestic sewing and embroidery machine in the premium segment, the largest, but also the most precise. As customers, you expect this from us, and rightly so. We are convinced that we have achieved this ambitious goal. The enthusiastic feedback we received since the reveal at BERNINA University has strengthened our mindset. But it’s not what we think that counts. It’s your opinion we wish to hear! Our team was very surprised by a very creative pre-order customer, Barbara Douthat, who expressed her anticipation with the following poem:
‘Twas the night before BERNINA’s new machine,
When all through the sewing scene,
Not a needle was stirring, not even a pin,
In anticipation of the magic within.
The threads were all nestled snug in their spools,
Dreaming of stitches, bobbins, and tools.
With visions of quilting designs so grand,
Dancing in heads, by BERNINA’s biggest fans.
And I in my craft room, with scissors and thread,
Had just settled down to plan ahead.
When out on the market there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my laptop to see what was the matter.
Away to the website I flew like a flash,
Excited to see BERNINA’s latest smash.
The innovations and features, so lively and slick,
I knew in a moment, it must be the trick.
With precision and speed, it sewed and it stitched,
A marvel of engineering, my heart it bewitched.
More rapid than eagles, its presser feet came,
And it whistled, and hummed, and called them by name:
“Now, Walking Foot! Now, Free-Motion! Now, Non-stick and Zigzag!
On, Embroidery! On, Quilting! On, Buttonhole and Tag!
To the top of the fabric! To the edge of the seam!
Now sew away! Sew away! Fulfill every dream!”
As fabric that before the wild birds fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the challenge the new BERNINA flew,
With a machine full of innovations, and excitement anew.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard from the store,
The unveiling of BERNINA’s latest galore.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
In came the new machine, with technology profound.
It was dressed all in fashion, from foot to its head,
A bundle of features, with creativity fed.
Its screen—how it twinkled! its controls, how merry!
Its stitches were perfect, its sewing so airy!
The bundle of joy sat ready to sew,
With promises of projects to make, you know.
A wink of its light and a twist of its thread,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
It spoke not a word, but went straight to its task,
Sewing and stitching, an expert, a friend.
And laying its tension aside of the day,
It sewed up a masterpiece, then went on its way.
It sprang to its stand, to the team gave a nod,
And away they all flew, to sew the world broad.
But I heard it exclaim, ere it drove out of sight—
“Happy sewing to all, and to all a good night!”
Thank you, Barbara, for this wonderful rhyme, it is absolutely sublime!
What do you think of the BERNINA 990? I’m looking forward to your feedback!
You’ll have to be patient until you can test the machine. As mentioned before, the delivery date varies worldwide. But perhaps you would like to contact your dealer and make an appointment for a test round or reserve a machine right away? Then you will definitely experience #ABIGDAY in the fall.
Best regards
Matthias
I’m absolutely giddy about receiving this new Bernina! My charter number is #348. I’m signed up to go to the first charter class in Aurora, IL as well. So many awesome features. The camera/scanner/jumbo stitches/user interface are big game changers for me. I’ll be trading in my B880 and keeping my B790 Pro which I also love. (The laser was the big game changer on that machine). Well done Bernina – WELL DONE!
Hy Loriann,
Congrats on securing one of the first B 990! And the charter class in Aurora sounds like a lot of fun. There will be a lot to learn with this new machine! Are you already thinking of a project you want to do with the camera/scanner/jumbo stitches?
Wow! This machine sounds incredible 🤩
So many features I thought were only possible in a dream. Love the fact that the user manual is integrated in the machine and how it is able to communicate with one’s phone/computer.
And that gigantic hoop!😮
Hy Hannah,
Thank you for your feedback! The gigantic hoop also immediately caught my attention, the bigger embroidery area is so useful. The scanner is also very fun to play with! Which feature would you like to try the most?
The scanner sounds amazing!
I’d love to try the laser for super precise placement and play around with the scanner/camera.
And the ability to check the embroidery progress on a phone is so clever.
Bonjour, j’aimerais savoir si la Bernina B 990 sera vendue au Portugal, et pourriez vous m’indiquer le prix. Merci de votre réponse
Bonjour Anita,
merci de ton interêt dans la nouvelle B 990 lancée dans les Etats Unis cette semaine.
On va vendre cette machine magique au Portugal et à la majorité des autres pays seulement en 2025.
Donc, je te recommande de contacter BERNINA Portugal pour te mettre à la liste des intéressés pour te donner plus de détails incl. le prix au moment disponible.
Tel. BERNINA Lisbonne +351 262823088 / [email protected]