Quick answer
Pick the BERNINA #10 Edgestitch Foot when you want a crisp, visible line along a seam or fold. Pick the BERNINA #5 Blindstitch Foot when the goal is a hem that barely shows on the right side. They solve opposite finishing problems, so the project's visible result decides.
The real difference is what shows on the outside
These two feet are often compared because both guide fabric along an edge, but they aim at opposite finishes. The #10 Edgestitch Foot is built around a center guide blade that keeps stitching exactly on a seam or fold, which is why it suits topstitching, edgestitching, and decorative seams. The result is meant to be seen.
The #5 Blindstitch Foot works the other way. Its built-in guide folds the fabric so the needle catches just a thread or two of the folded edge, leaving a nearly invisible finish on the right side. If you are choosing between them, start with the finish you want, not the foot number.
Compatibility is the deciding limitation for the #10
The supplied catalog facts list the #10 Edgestitch Foot as compatible with BERNINA machines with a 5.5mm stitch width. That is a real constraint: if your machine does not fall in that group, the foot is not the right purchase regardless of how much you like the edge-stitching idea.
The supplied facts for the #5 Blindstitch Foot do not state a machine compatibility range. Treat that as a decision limitation rather than a guess. Check your own machine's manual or foot compatibility chart before buying the #5, and do the same for the #10 even if your machine looks similar to a listed model.
Price is not the tiebreaker here
At catalog prices, the #10 Edgestitch Foot is USD 34.77 against a comparison price of USD 46.99, and the #5 Blindstitch Foot is USD 46.91 against USD 68.99. The gap is modest next to the cost of redoing a hem or unpicking visible topstitching.
Choose on the finish and the fit, then let price confirm the decision. Buying the cheaper foot for the wrong job usually costs more in remakes than the difference between the two.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Visible finish with the #10: Choose the #10 Edgestitch Foot for topstitching, edgestitching, and decorative seams where a straight, deliberate line is the point. Accept that it is a visible-finish tool, not a hem-hiding tool. If the stitching is meant to be seen, this is the foot to reach for.
- Nearly invisible hems with the #5: Choose the #5 Blindstitch Foot for garments and home décor hems where the right side should look almost untouched. Accept that the built-in guide controls the fold, so you follow its setup rather than freehanding the hem. If the hem should disappear, start here.
- Compatibility check before checkout: Confirm your BERNINA machine has a 5.5mm stitch width before buying the #10. For the #5, the supplied facts do not state a compatibility range, so verify fit in your machine manual or with the retailer before ordering. A foot that does not fit your machine cannot deliver either finish.
Product facts at a glance
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#10 BERNINA Edgestitch Foot: Center guide blade for precise alignment, listed for BERNINA machines with 5.5mm stitch width. The blade holds your stitching on the seam or fold, but only helps if your machine matches the listed compatibility.
#10 BERNINA Edgestitch Foot
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#5 BERNINA Blindstitch Foot: Built-in guide folds fabric so the needle catches just a thread or two of the folded edge. That folding action is what produces a nearly invisible hem on the right side, which the #10 is not designed to do.
#5 BERNINA Blindstitch Foot
Which foot fits your project
Best for
- Sewists who want crisp topstitching, edgestitching, or decorative seams on BERNINA machines with 5.5mm stitch width
- Garment and home décor makers who need a nearly invisible blind hem and will confirm machine fit first
Not for
- Anyone who wants a hidden hem: the #10 is designed for visible edge stitching
- Anyone who has not confirmed machine compatibility, especially for the #10's listed 5.5mm stitch width requirement