Quick answer
Choose the BERNINA #15 Embroidery Foot for open-toe visibility on most decorative stitches, or the #39 Embroidery Foot with Clear Sole when you need a wide groove for dense embroidery and a transparent view of your design placement.
What each foot does well
The BERNINA #15 Embroidery Foot is the standard choice for machine embroidery and decorative stitching. Its open toe design gives you a clear view of the embroidery area, making it easy to place every stitch with confidence. It works well for satin stitches and general embroidery.
The BERNINA #39 Embroidery Foot with Clear Sole adds a transparent sole that lets you see every detail of your design as you sew. The wide groove underneath accommodates dense embroidery stitches, so it is a better fit for heavy, multi-layered designs.
Trade-offs to consider
The #39 foot costs more (USD 38.68 vs USD 31.07) and is slightly bulkier due to the clear sole. If you rarely stitch dense designs, the #15 foot saves money and offers the same open-view benefit.
Neither foot is designed for heavy-duty quilting or zipper insertion. For those tasks, look at dedicated presser feet like the #34C reverse-pattern foot or a zipper foot.
Decision rules
- If you mostly do open embroidery or satin stitches: Choose the BERNINA #15 Embroidery Foot. Its open toe gives you a clear view and the wide groove handles standard dense stitches.
- If you stitch dense, multi-layer designs and need to see placement: Choose the BERNINA #39 Embroidery Foot with Clear Sole. The transparent sole and wide groove let you monitor every stitch without obstruction.
- If budget is a concern: The #15 foot is about USD 7 cheaper. If you rarely do dense embroidery, it covers all your needs at a lower cost.
Product facts
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#15 BERNINA Embroidery Foot: Open toe design for maximum visibility during embroidery You can see exactly where each stitch lands, which is critical for satin stitches and monograms.
#15 BERNINA Embroidery Foot
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#39 BERNINA Embroidery Foot with Clear Sole: Clear sole for excellent visibility of embroidery designs and placement The transparent sole lets you see the fabric and design through the foot, so you can align dense patterns precisely without lifting the presser foot.
#39 BERNINA Embroidery Foot with Clear Sole
Which foot fits you?
Best for
- Sewists who want maximum visibility for precise stitch placement
- Those who do machine embroidery, monograms, or decorative stitching
Not for
- Heavy-duty quilting or zipper insertion
- Sewists on a tight budget who only need basic embroidery
