Bernette Chicago 7 Computerised sewing and embroidery machine

Today we'll be talking about the bernette Chicago 7 computerised sewing and embroidery machine from BERNINA 


The bernette Chicago 7 is conquering the world of embroidery! As a computer controlled combo - machine, the bernette Chicago 7 is the first bernette sublime model that can both sew and embroider. Fulfilling your own creative desire, it will also vow you with its robust construction and its appealing youthful design.


View our lovely video tutorial set on the bernette Chicago 7 here


The bernette Chicago 7 sewing and embroidery machine boasts high quality workmanship at a reasonable price, and will meet the expectations of both the young and the experienced creative people

As a fully fledged sewing and embroidery machine, the bernette Chicago 7 leads a double life. Not only does it make sewing garments or home decor as well as patchwork and quilting a piece of cake but by simply attaching the embroidery module, the bernette Chicago 7 is transformed in seconds into an computerised embroidery machine. Selecting embroidery mode takes you to the embroidery area, where a selection of 100 stock embroidery designs and an embroidery fonts are available. All designs can be rotated or mirrored. and additional embroidery designs of your own can be added via a USB stick. The maximum embroidery area of 110 x 170 mm allows attractive custom-embroidered embellishments to be applied to homemade or purchased garments and furnishings. Compatibility with BERNINA CutWork gives the especially creative sewer the additional option of forging ahead in another creative dimension - creative cutting! Whether it's eyelet embroidery, openwork designs or stamping, the bernette Chicago 7 will wow you with its versatility. 

A few features of the bernette Chicago 7

Versatile yet easy to use 

Thanks to its ergonomically arranged direct selection keys, the bernette Chicago 7 is straight forward to operate, making sewing and embroidery a breeze. Creative people will be quick to appreciate the versatility of this sewing and embroidery machine, whether using it for simple alternations and repairs, decorations with a personal touch, intricate embroidery, or larger sewing projects. 

The bernette Chicago 7 offers a wealth of options for giving creative expressions to your own ideas. Over 404 stitch designs including 150 decorative stitches, 20 quilting stitches, 2 alphabets, and satin and stretch stitches, as well as 100 stock embroidery designs with a maximum stitch width of 7 mm are guaranteed to set your creative pulse racing. And thanks to the automatic one-step buttonhole and a simple threading system, all sewing projects can be accomplished quickly and easily. 

Compact and Practical

With its compact dimensions, the bernette Chicago 7 takes up less storage space in the home - good news for all households where space is at premium. Its handy size also makes it a popular companion on your travels, or at workshops  and courses. The free arm with built in slide-on provides a practical storage space for keeping the various presser feet and other accessories close to hand. The flip top lid not only protects against dust, but has a summary of all stitches and stitch patterns on its inside for quick selection. An LED lighting system provides bright illumination of the sewing around the needle, and the built in scissors holder at the front are always ready to hand to facilitate use during the sewing process. 

Other features of the bernette Chicago 7

Full rotary hook system with drop-in bobbin system

The bobbin unit lets you  simply drop the bobbin from the top - a clever and time saving touch. The arrow making on the gripper finger ensures easy, accurate threading. The slide bobbin cover means you're ready to resume sewing in no time flat. 

LCD display and infinitely adjustable speed control

Once the appropriate stitch pattern in selected, it appears in the LCD display with the recommended default setting. The speed control allows infinite adjustment of the maximum speed. The electronic monitor control ensures uniformly strong needle - penetration power.

Infinitely adjustable stitch width

Lets you perform even fiddly tasks with precision. 

1-step buttonhole

Perfect buttonholes matched to the size of the button in no time.

Needle stop up/down

Needle automatically stops in the 'up' or 'down' position, depending on the pre-setting. 

Thread cutter

One thread cutter on the head frame and a second one built into the needle plate on the left make the cutting the thread simplicity itself. 

Free arm

Removing the extension table gives access to the free arm, which enables you to sew sleeves and other closed or tubular textiles with ease. 

Feed-dog drop

Simply move the slide to lower the feed-dog for darning and free motion sewing. 

Start/Stop button 

The start/stop button lets you operate your sewing machine without using the foot control- a particularly comfortable option when sewing for any length of time.

Semi-automatic threader

Quick and easy threading of the needle in next to no time. 

7 MM stitch width

Especially handy for decorative sewing. Create attractive borders and appliques with minimum effort. 

Flip-top lid

The flip-top lid protects against dust; open it to reveal an at-a-glance summary of all stitches and stitch patterns on its inside. 

Direct selection keys

The bernette Chicago 7 has the unique BERNINA - Dial a telephone system of direct selection keys which enable quick , easy and direct selection of several different sewing designs.

Scroll function

Four scroll buttons allow for quick and easy stitch selection. 

LED sewing light 

Optimized illumination of the sewing area- especially the area around the needle. 

Flexibility with USB sticks 

Benefit from the vast range of compatible BERNINA embroidery designs on USB sticks. Commercially available USB sticks can also be used to transfer your own designs from PC to the embroidery machine. 

100 fabulous embroidery motifs

Avail yourself of the 100 exclusive built - in stock embroidery designs and enjoy the fine, precise embroidering quality of the bernette Chicago 7

Special compartment for scissors

A built in holder for the embroidery scissors is handily located within easy reach. The holder is roomy enough to accommodate both the scissors supplied with the machine and your current favorite pair

Upper-thread indicator and lower-thread check

The upper thread indicator automatically stops the embroidery process if the upper thread breaks or when the spool is empty. The lower-thread spool is also checked before each embroidery process

Embroidery module

Once the slide-on table has been removed, the embroidery module offering a maximum embroidery area of 110 MM x 170 MM is straight forward and quick to attach. 

The bernette Chicago 7 is compatible to all the optional accessories which can be previewed here

Experience a bernette Chicago 7 today at a BERNINA dealership near you or hop on in to the BERNINA Creative Center for a obligation free demonstration today!